Effect of lipid A incorporation on characterization of liposomal model membranes as thymus-independent type 1 or type 2 immunogens.

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Abstract
We used the following criteria to determine whether liposomal model membranes are thymus-independent type 1 (TI-1) or type 2 (TI-2) immunogens: a) in vivo response of (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male and female mice; b) in vitro response of spleen cells from these mice; c) ontogeny of the response in cultures of (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 male cells obtained from mice of different ages; d) ability of a monoclonal anti-delta antibody to block the in vitro response of C57BL/6 spleen cells. The liposomes were sensitized with N(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-6-N-aminocaproyl)-dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (TNP-Cap-DPPE) and were prepared without and with incorporation of the B cell mitogen, lipid A. On the basis of the above criteria, liposomes prepared without lipid A can be characterized as a TI-2 immunogen and resemble TNP-Ficoll. In contrast, liposomes prepared with lipid A behave like a TI-1 immunogen such as TNP-BA (trinitrophenylated Brucella abortus). Conversion of liposomes from a TI-2 to a TI-1 immunogen by inclusion of lipid A in the bilayers was achieved under conditions of constant TNP-Cap-DPPE epitope density. Increasing the epitope density in liposomes made without lipid A does not result in transformation of immunogen type. These results, which bear on the features that may distinguish TI-1 from TI-2 immunogens, are discussed with regard to the involvement of macrophages and T cells in the response.