Ovalbumin-liposome conjugate induces IgG but not IgE antibody production.

Antibody response after immunization with surface-coupled ovalbumin (OVA) of liposomes was investigated in mice. OVA was coupled to the surface of liposome via amino groups using glutaraldehyde. OVA-liposome conjugate induced a significant anti-OVA IgG antibody production in mice. However, no IgE antibody production specific for OVA was observed. Immunization with OVA-liposome induced IgE-specific unresponsiveness even after the subsequent challenge with OVA adsorbed with with aluminium hydroxide (OVA-alum), which induces a high level of IgE antibody production. Furthermore, following the primary immunization with OVA-alum, a secondary challenge with OVA-liposome boosted anti-OVA IgG but not anti-OVA IgE antibody production. These results show the potential of the antigen-liposome conjugate for the development of a vaccine with the least allergic reaction and also for the application of immunotherapy.