VACCINE ADJUVANT PROPERTIES OF LIPSOMES FORMED AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES FROM THE POLAR CHLOROFORM EXTRACTABLE LIPIDS FROM MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS

摘要

The invention relates to a liposome comprising a chloroform soluble and extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp, particularly a chloroform soluble extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The chloroform soluble and extractable polar lipid may comprise at least one of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM₁), phosphatidylinositol dimannoside (PIM₂), mono and dipalmitoylated forms of PIM₁ and PIM₂, phospholipid of 899 m/z, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipid. The liposome may be prepared by drying chloroform soluble and extractable lipid and then hydrating said dried lipid at a temperature of 65 to 75° C. in water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The liposome may be used, for example, to activate dendritic cells to secrete cytokines and modulate an immune response in a mammal, or to direct an immune response to confer protection against a pathogen or a cancer.