Liposomal vaccine formulations as prophylactic agents: design considerations for modern vaccines

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De Serrano and Burkhart  J Nanobiotechnol (2017) 15:83 
DOI 10.1186/s12951-017-0319-9
REVIEW
Liposomal vaccine formulations 
as prophylactic agents: design considerations 
for modern vaccines
Luis O. De Serrano and David J. Burkhart
*
Abstract 
Vaccinology is one of the most important cornerstones in modern medicine, providing better quality of life. The 
human immune system is composed of innate and adaptive immune processes that interplay when infection occurs. 
Innate immunity relies on pathogen-associated molecular patterns which are recognized by pathogen recognition 
receptors localized in antigen presenting cells. After antigen processing and presentation, CD4
+
T cell polarization 
occurs, further leading to B cell and CD8
+
activation and humoral and cell-mediated adaptive immune responses. 
Liposomes are being employed as vaccine technologies and their design is of importance to ensure proper immune 
responses. Physicochemical parameters like liposome size, charge, lamellarity and bilayer fluidity must be completely 
understood to ensure optimal vaccine stability and efficacy. Liposomal vaccines can be developed to target specific 
immune cell types for the induction of certain immune responses. In this review, we will present promising liposomal 
vaccine approaches for the treatment of important viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections (including tuberculo-
sis, TB). Cationic liposomes are the most studied liposome types due to their enhanced interaction with the negatively 
charged immune cells. Thus, a special section on the cationic lipid dimethyldioctadecylammonium and TB is also 
presented.
Keywords: Liposomes, Vaccine formulations, CLR, TLR, Viral infections, Bacterial infections, Parasites
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