AQUEOUS IMMUNOLOGIC ADJUVANT COMPOSITIONS OF MONOPHOSPHORYL LIPID A

摘要

An aqueous adjuvant composition comprising an attenuated lipid A derivative and a surfactant or surfactants enhances the immunological response in a warm blooded animal to a protein antigen. Attenuated lipid A derivatives useful according to the subject invention include monophosphoryl lipid A and 3-O-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A. A surfactant or mixtures of surfactants are dissolved in a solvant. 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine is a preferred surfactant. The dissolved surfactant is added to an attenuated lipid A derivative to obtain a mixture. The molar ratio of attenuated lipid A derivative to surfactant in the mixture is about 4:1. The solvent is evaporated and water is added to the resulting film. The suspension is sonicated in a 60 DEG C water bath until it becomes clear. Animals administered the adjuvant formulation exhibited increased antibody responses to a given antigen as well as displayed enhanced lymphocyte proliferative and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. Intranasal administration of the aqueous adjuvant composition and an antigen stimulates the production of serum and mucosal secreted IgA.