Fusogenic liposome can be used as an effective vaccine carrier for peptide vaccination to induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response.

We reported previously that fusogenic liposome (FL) introduced antigen protein encapsulated in the liposome directly into the cytoplasm of the antigen presenting cells, and that it induced immune responses. In the present study, we encapsulated TAX38-46, an HTLV-I derived protein and an antigen peptide model, into FL. The ability to induce effective cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses in immunized mice was evaluated. Results showed FL could induce CTL response effectively and suggested that FL is a potential peptide vaccine carrier.