Glycan modification of liposomes resulted in increased binding and internalization by BMDCs expressing human DC-SIGN. In the presence of LPS, this led to 100-fold more efficient presentation of the encapsulated antigens to CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells compared to unmodified liposomes or soluble antigen. Similarly, incubation of human moDC with melanoma antigen MART-1-encapsulated liposomes coated with LeX in the presence of LPS led to enhanced antigen-presentation to MART-1-specific CD8+ T-cell clones. Moreover, this formulation drove primary CD8+ T-cells to differentiate into high numbers of tetramer-specific, IFN-纬-producing effector T-cells.
Together, our data demonstrate the potency of a glycoliposome-based vaccine targeting DC-SIGN for CD4+ and CD8+ effector T-cell activation. This approach may offer improved options for treatment of cancer patients and opens the way to in situ DC-targeted vaccination.