TAILORED LIPOSOMES FOR THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

摘要

The invention relates to the use of empty liposomes of defined lipid composition or mixtures of empty liposomes of defined lipid composition and to the use of other lipid bilayers or monolayers of defined lipid composition for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. It has been found that such liposomes, in particular a two- and a four-component mixture of liposomes comprising cholesterol and sphingomyelin, liposomes consisting of sphingomyelin, liposomes comprising sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine, and liposomes comprising cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine efficiently sequestrate a variety of toxins secreted by bacteria, thus preventing binding of bacterial toxins to target cells and toxin-induced lysis of the target cells. Injected intravenously, liposome mixtures prevented death of laboratory mice infected with lethal doses of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae.

主权项

1. Empty liposomes comprising cholesterol and sphingomyelin, and mixtures of empty liposomes comprising cholesterol and sphingomyelin, or phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, with other empty liposomes of defined lipid composition for use in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections.