Investigation of antigen delivery route in vivo and immune-boosting effects mediated by pH-sensitive liposomes encapsulated with K^b-restricted CTL epitope

Using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated H-2K^b CTL epitope (SIINFEKL) as a model system, we investigated the antigen delivery route by pH-sensitive liposomes in vivo. Fluorescence was initially detected in lymph nodes at 3 h after immunization, and its intensity reached a peak value in superticial inguinal lymph node at 9 h. No trace could be detected in spleen even with prolonged monitoring for up to 24 h. These results strongly suggest that the presentation of CTL-peptide antigen vehicled by pH-sensitive liposomes exclusively occurs in lymph nodes. In mice immunized with the H-2K^b CTL epitope encapsulated pH-sensitive liposomes, peptide-specific CTL response was detected at day 3. The response was strongly augmented by the second immunization and persisted up to at least 45 days. These results suggest that pH-sensitive liposome formula functions as a potential adjuvant of peptide antigens and is useful for the induction of antigen specific CTLsv in vivo.