Affiliation:
1. Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Tuftsin, a tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), acts as an immunopotentiating molecule with
its ability to bind and activate many immune cells, including macrophages or monocytes, neutrophils
and dendritic cells. The specific targeting activity of tuftsin has been further increased by
its palmitoylation followed by its incorporation into the lipid bilayer of liposomes. Tuftsin-bearing
liposomes (Tuft-liposomes) possess several characteristics that enable them to act as a potential
drug and vaccine carriers. Tuft-liposomes-loaded anti-microbial drugs have been shown to be highly
effective against many infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, malaria, candidiasis
and cryptococosis. Moreover, Tuft-liposomes also increased the activity of anticancer drug
etoposide against fibrosarcoma in mice. Tuft-liposomes showed the immune-potentiating effect
and rejuvenated the immune cells in the leukopenic mice. In addition, antigens encapsulated in
Tuftsin-bearing liposomes demonstrated greater immunogenicity by increasing the T cell proliferation
and antibody secretion. Keeping into consideration their specific targeting and immunopotentiating
effects, Tuft-liposomes may potentially be used as promising drug and vaccine delivery systems.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Clinical Biochemistry,Drug Discovery,Pharmacology,Molecular Medicine
Cited by
15 articles.
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