Abstract
Purpose. Liposomal systems may be useful as a cytokine supplementin tumor cell vaccines by providing a cytokine reservoir at the antigenpresentation site. Here, we examined the effect of liposomeincorporation of mIFNγ on its potency as adjuvant in an established tumor cellvaccination protocol in the murine B16 melanoma model. Adjuvanticityof the mIFNγ-liposomes was compared to that achieved bymIFNγ-gene transfection of the B16 tumor cells. Furthermore, we studiedwhether liposomal incorporation of mIFNγ indeed increases theresidence time of the cytokine at the vaccination site.
Methods. C57B1/6 mice were immunized with i) irradiated IFNγ-genetransfected B16 melanoma cells or ii) irradiated wild type B16 cellssupplemented with (liposomal) mIFNγ, followed by a challenge withviable B16 cells. The residence time of the (liposomal) cytokine at thesubcutaneous (s.c.) vaccination site was monitored using radiolabeledmIFNγ and liposomes.
Results. Immunization with irradiated tumor cells admixed withliposomal mIFNγ generated comparable protection against B16 challenge asimmunization with mIFNγ-gene modified tumor cells. Irradiated tumorcells admixed with soluble mIFNγ did not generate any protectiveresponses. Radiolabeling studies indicated that free mIFNγ rapidlycleared from the s.c. injection site. Association of [125I]-mIFNγwith liposomes increased the local residence time substantially: liposomalassociation of mIFNγ resulted in a prolonged local residence time ofthe cytokine as reflected by a 4-fold increase of the area under thecurve. The amount of released cytokine in the optimal dose rangecorresponds to the amount released by the gene-transfected cells. Moderate but significant CTL-activity against B16 cells was found for miceimmunized with irradiated cells supplemented with mIFNγ-liposomescompared to untreated control animals.
Conclusions. Prolonged presence of mIFNγ at the site of antigenpresentation is crucial for the generation of systemic immune responsesin the B16 melanoma model. These studies show that liposomalencapsulation of cytokines is an attractive strategy for paracrine cytokinedelivery in tumor vaccine development.
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van Slooten, M.L., Storm, G., Zoephel, A. et al. Liposomes Containing Interferon-Gamma as Adjuvant in Tumor Cell Vaccines. Pharm Res 17, 42–48 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007514424253
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007514424253