Lipid-induced changes in protein conformation as a means to regulate the immunogenicity of antigens incorporated in tubular immunostimulating complexes

Nanoparticles of tubular immunostimulating complexes (TI-complexes), which consist of the glycolipid monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) from marine macrophytes (macroalgae and seagrasses), the triterpene glycoside cucumarioside A2-2 from the holothurian Cucumaria japonica, and cholesterol, are a promising adjuvant carrier of antigens for modern subunit vaccines. MGDG provides a lipid matrix for the antigen incorporated in TI-complexes. This paper discusses the manner in which the physicochemical properties of MGDGs isolated from different marine macrophyte species affect the conformation of two model protein antigens (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis OmpF-like porin (YOmpF) and recombinant influenza virus hemagglutinin) incorporated in TI-complexes and how the modulating effect of MGDG may be used to improve the efficacy of vaccine preparations.