Enhanced immunostimulant activity and protective effect of a synthetic lipopeptide after liposomization against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice

Abstract

The immunostimulant activity of non-pyrogenic, sugar-free immunomodulator lipopeptide, Ala-D-Glu(Gly-Lys-Co.C11H23)-NH2 (comp. no.84/201), and its liposomized formulation has been studied. Liposomization of this lipopeptide significantly enhanced its antigen specific as well as nonspecific immune responses, as compared to the free lipopeptide. The liposomized formulation of liipopeptide significantly stimulated both the antibody and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in Balb/c mice, and also enhanced nonspecifically the macrophage migration index, phagocytic activity and incorporation of 14C glucosamine in peritoneal macrophages of the mice that received pretreatment with this preparation. Further the mice that received pretreatment with the liposomized preparation strongly resisted lethal P. berghei infection and consequently survived for longer period of times. These results indicate that liposomization of the compound no.84/201 significantly improves its ability to enhance not only antigen-specific immune response but also the nonspecific host's resistance against infections.