cationic immune stimulating complexes containing soluble leishmania antigens: preparation, characterization and in vivo immune response evaluation

background: cationic immune stimulating complexes (pluscoms) are particulate antigen delivery systems. pluscoms consist of cationic immunostimulatory complexes (iscoms) derivatives and are able to elicit in vivo t cell responses against an antigen. objective: to evaluate the effects of pluscoms containing leishmaniamajor antigens (sla) on the type of immune response generated in the murine model of leishmaniasis. methods: pluscoms consisting of 1, 2-dioleoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (dotap) were used as antigen delivery system/immunoadjuvants for soluble sla. balb/c mice were immunized subcutaneously, three times in 2-week intervals. footpads swellings at the site of challenge and parasite loads were assessed as a measure of protection. the immune responses were also evaluated by determination of igg subclasses and the level of ifn- γ and il-4 in cultured splenocytes. results: there was no significant difference (p