METHOD FOR INDUCING A SYSTEMIC IMMUNE RESPONSE TO A HEPATITIS OR HIV ANTIGEN

摘要

A method is provided for inducing a systemic immune response to an antigen selected from HIV I, HIV II, hepatitis B and hepatitis C antigens in a mammal. The method comprises orally administering lyophilized multilamellar liposomes containing the antigen. The liposomes have a size of from 20 nm to 20 microns. The antigen-containing liposomes are absorbed in the Peyer's patches of the gut. Sufficient antigen-containing liposomes are taken up by macrophages in the Peyer's patches to induce a systemic immune response to the antigen.