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. 1995 Jul;63(7):2396–2402. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.7.2396-2402.1995

Intracellular processing of liposome-encapsulated antigens by macrophages depends upon the antigen.

M Rao 1, N M Wassef 1, C R Alving 1, U Krzych 1
PMCID: PMC173320  PMID: 7790049

Abstract

Two proteins, a recombinant malaria protein (R32NS1) and conalbumin, were encapsulated in separate liposomes. The mechanisms of presentation of unencapsulated and liposome-encapsulated R32NS1 and conalbumin to antigen-specific T-cell clones were investigated in in vitro antigen presentation assays using murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMs) as antigen-presenting cells. A much lower concentration of liposomal antigen than of unencapsulated antigen was required for T-cell proliferation. Liposome-encapsulated conalbumin required intracellular processing by BMs for antigen-specific T-cell proliferation, as determined by inhibition with chloroquine, NH4Cl, leupeptin, brefeldin A, monensin, antimycin A, NaF, and cycloheximide and by treatment of BMs with glutaraldehyde. Liposome-encapsulated conalbumin therefore follows the classical intracellular antigen processing pathway described for protein antigens. Similarly, unencapsulated conalbumin also required intracellular processing for presentation to antigen-specific T cells. In contrast, both unencapsulated R32NS1 and liposome-encapsulated R32NS1 were presented to T cells by BMs without undergoing internalization and intracellular processing. These results suggest that the antigen itself is the major element that determines whether a requirement exists for intracellular processing of liposomal antigens by macrophages.

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Selected References

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