Interactions between immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) and peritoneal mononuclear leucocytes.

Studies were undertaken in mice using immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) or micelles prepared from envelope glycoproteins of human influenza virus (PR8) and matrix (i.e., ISCOM skeleton without incorporated antigen). Electron microscopic studies showed that ISCOMs, in contrast to micelles, have a remarkable affinity for cell membranes and seem to rapidly promote their own internalization by cells to which they adhere. PR8 ISCOMs, but not matrix nor micelles, significantly increased the expression of membrane Ia by peritoneal mononuclear leucocytes 24 hr after intraperitoneal immunization.