Inhalation of α-gal/sialic acid liposomes: a novel approach for inhibition of influenza virus infection?

Effective inhibition of influenza virus infection in symptomatic patients may be feasible by inhalation of aerosol-containing liposomes presenting α-gal epitopes and sialic acid epitopes. The virus binds to sialic acid epitopes and the natural anti-Gal antibody binds to α-gal epitopes on the liposomes and activates the complement system to generate chemotactic peptides that recruit macrophages. These macrophages bind and internalize via their Fc receptors, anti-Gal-coated liposomes and the influenza virus bound to them, process the viral antigens and transport them to the regional lymph nodes for eliciting a rapid, protective immune response that prevents progression of the virus infection.