The evaluation of lymph node cell proliferation response by liposomes loaded with major histocompatibility complex class II binding aquaporin 4 antigen peptide
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Muraki, Yo; Nishimoto, Yutaka; Yamasaki, Midori; Miyakawa, Shuuichi; Sato, Shuji
- Source
- Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry; March 2021, Vol. 85 Issue: 3 p537-544, 8p
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 09168451; 13476947
Autoimmune responses to aquaporin 4 (AQP4) cause neuromyelitis optica (NMO); thus, specific immunotolerance to this self-antigen could represent a new NMO treatment. We generated the liposome-encapsulated AQP4 peptide 201-220 (p201-220) to induce immunotolerance. Liposomes were generated using phosphatidylserine and the polyglycidol species PG8MG. The in vivotissue distribution of the liposomes was tested using an ex vivoimaging system. To confirm the antigen presentation capacity of PG8MG liposomes, dendritic cells were treated with PG8MG liposome-encapsulated AQP4 p201-220 (AQP4-PG8MG liposomes). Immunotolerance induction by AQP4-PG8MG liposomes was evaluated using the ex vivocell proliferation of lymph node cells isolated from AQP4 p201-220-immunized AQP4-deficient mice. Fluorescent dye-labeled PG8MG liposomes were distributed to the lymph nodes. AQP4 p201-220 was presented on dendritic cells. AQP4-PG8MG liposomes were tended to suppress immune responses to AQP4 p201-220. Thus, the encapsulation of AQP4 peptides in PG8MG liposomes represents a new strategy for suppressing autoimmune responses to AQP4.Graphical AbstractAquaporin 4 antigen peptide-encapsulated liposome has the potential to induce immunotolerance through antigen presentation on dendritic cells.