Ligands and carriers for enhancing immune activity: Mechanisms of action and prospects for applications in medicine and biotechnology

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of research focusing on the role of antibodies, cytokines, complement proteins, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the immune response and their potential as targets for immunotherapy. The review specifically examines the influence of various carriers on the immune activity of proteins, with a particular emphasis on the role of carriers in developing therapeutic approaches for diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infections. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response and the role of different components of the immune system. Antibodies, as key components of adaptive immunity, play a crucial role in pathogen neutralization and can be utilized as targets for immunotherapy. Cytokines and complement proteins serve multiple functions, including immune cell activation, antiviral activity, and regulation of inflammatory processes. MHC molecules facilitate antigen presentation and activation of adaptive immunity. TLRs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and initiate the immune response. Current research has also demonstrated the potential of lipid-based carriers, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids for enhancing the immune activity of proteins. The review discusses the use of carriers to improve the immune activity of proteins, which can be valuable for developing new vaccines and therapeutic agents. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in proteinbased therapeutic approaches, including monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and others. The efficacy of these methods is influenced by the choice of carrier molecule. Conjugation of proteins with other molecules such as nanoparticles or liposomes can enhance stability, specificity, and efficacy. The presence of carriers on the surface of tumor cells can stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. However, challenges remain in the development of carrier-based therapies including potential carrier-induced immunogenicity, which may trigger undesired immune responses and limit therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, the complex selection of appropriate protein carriers for specific therapeutic applications requires further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of carrier function and immune activation. As based on the analysis of scientific literature, this review establishes that the use of carriers and ligands represents a promising approach for enhancing protein immune activity and developing new vaccination and immunotherapy strategies.

Keywords

• toll-like receptors
• antibodies
• complement factors
• carrier proteins
• virus-like particles
• immune activity
• liposomes
• mhc molecules
• nanoparticles
• polyethylene glycol
• cytokines