Abstract: A synthetic charged glycolipid is described comprising a sulfated saccharide group covalently linked to the tree sn-1 hydroxyl group of the glycerol backbone of an archaeal core lipid via a beta linkage. The synthetic charged glycolipids include compounds of formula I wherein n is 0 or 1; R is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and Y is hydrogen or a sulfate group, at least one Y being a sulfate group; and including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The sulfated glycolipid produces stable archaeosomes at a mol % ratio of from 100:0 to 30:70 (sulfated glycolipid:uncharged glycolipid) and which induce a protective immune response, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses. Archaeosomes comprising the sulfated glycolipids described have desirable adjuvant properties, particularly when mixed with uncharged glycolipid at a mol % ratio of about 50:50.

Abstract: A synthetic charged glycolipid is described comprising a sulfated saccharide group covalently linked to the tree sn-1 hydroxyl group of the glycerol backbone of an archaeal core lipid via a beta linkage. The synthetic charged glycolipids include compounds of formula I wherein n is 0 or 1; R is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and Y is hydrogen or a sulfate group, at least one Y being a sulfate group; and including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The sulfated glycolipid produces stable archaeosomes at a mol % ratio of from 100:0 to 30:70 (sulfated glycolipid: uncharged glycolipid) and which induce a protective immune response, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses. Archaeosomes comprising the sulfated glycolipids described have desirable adjuvant properties, particularly when mixed with uncharged glycolipid at a mol % ratio of about 50:50.

Abstract: Archaeal lipid adjuvants are synthesized by chemically coupling various carbohydrates or anionic polar groups to the free hydroxyl(s) of archaeal lipid cores. Chemically stable lipid cores such as saturated archaeol and caldarchaeol are obtained from appropriate Archaea. Archaeosome lipid vesicles are formulated from the synthetic lipids selected to serve as antigen carriers that target antigen-presenting cells and promote an appropriate immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: Archaeal lipid adjuvants are synthesized by chemically coupling various carbohydrates or anionic polar groups to the free hydroxyl(s) of archaeal lipid cores. Chemically stable lipid cores such as saturated archaeol and caldarchaeol are obtained from appropriate Archaea. Archaeosome lipid vesicles are formulated from the synthetic lipids selected to serve as antigen carriers that target antigen-presenting cells and promote an appropriate immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposome comprising a chloroform soluble and extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp, particularly a chloroform soluble extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The chloroform soluble and extractable polar lipid may comprise at least one of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM1), phosphatidylinositol dimannoside (PIM2), mono and dipalmitoylated forms of PIM1 and PIM2, phospholipid of 899 m/z, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipid. The liposome may be prepared by drying chloroform soluble and extractable lipid and then hydrating said dried lipid at a temperature of 65 to 75° C. in water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The liposome may be used, for example, to activate dendritic cells to secrete cytokines and modulate an immune response in a mammal, or to direct an immune response to confer protection against a pathogen or a cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposome comprising a chloroform soluble and extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp, particularly a chloroform soluble extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp BCG. The chloroform soluble and extractable polar lipid may comprise at least one of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM1), phosphatidylinositol dimannoside (PIM2), mono and dipalmitoylated forms of PIM1 and PIM2, phospholipid of 899 m/z, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipid. The liposome may be prepared by drying chloroform soluble and extractable lipid and then hydrating said dried lipid at a temperature of 65 to 75 ° C. in water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The liposome may be used, for example, to activate dendritic cells to secrete cytokines and modulate an immune response in a mammal, or to direct an immune response to confer protection against a pathogen or a cancer.

Abstract: Novel archaeosome compositions and their use in vaccine formulations as adjuvants and/or delivery systems, to enhance the immune response to immunogens in an animal such as a human, are described. Another aspect relates to the use of these archaeosomes to enhance the delivery of compounds such as pharmaceuticals to specific cell types and tissues in animals and other life forms, via various routes of administration such as subcutaneous, intramuscular, and oral. The efficacy of the archaeosomes and also of conventional liposomes can be further improved in these applications, by incorporation of coenzyme Q10 and/or polyethyleneglycol-lipid conjugate into liposomes made from these archaeosomes.

Abstract: Novel archaeosome compositions and their use in vaccine formulations as adjuvants and/or delivery systems, to enhance the immune response to immunogens in an animal such as a human, are described. Another aspect relates to the use of these archaeosomes to enhance the delivery of compounds such as pharmaceuticals to specific cell types and tissues in animals and other life forms, via various routes of administration such as subcutaneous, intramuscular, and oral. The efficacy of the archaeosomes and also of conventional liposomes can be further improved in these applications by incorporation of coenzyme Q.sub.10 and/or polyethyleneglycol-lipid conjugate into liposomes made from these archaeosomes.

Abstract: Novel ether lipids were obtained from methanogenic (Methanospirillum hungatei, Methanococcus jannaschii, Methanococcus voltae, Methanosarcina mazei, and Methanobrevibacter smithii), and extremely halophilic (Halobacterium cutirubrum) representatives of the archaeobacteria. Several of the ether lipids produced by Methanospirillum and Methanosarcina genera were purified and characterized structurally for the first time. Unilamellar liposomes were prepared from emulsions of the total polar-ether lipid extracts of such bacteria by pressure extrusion through membranes of various pore sizes. Liposome populations were shown by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy to range in size depending on the pore size of the filter, on the source of the lipids, and on the composition of the suspending buffer medium. In all cases the size ranges indicated highly homogeneous preparations.