Targeting of liposomes towards different cell types of rat liver through the involvement of liposomal surface glycosides

Abstract

Studies on the uptake of liposomes by isolated cell types of rat liver after in vivo administration reveal that hepatocytes are three times more efficient than nonparenchymal cells in taking up liposomes having β-galactoside on their surface whereas α-mannoside liposomes are taken up preferentially by nonparenchymal cells. Nonsugar liposomes are taken up by both cells. Glycoside-containing liposomes are also cleared from the circulation at a faster rate than nonsugar liposomes. Asialofetuin and mannan inhibit both the clearance and the uptake by isolated cells of β-Gal and α-Man liposomes, respectively. These findings show that surface β-galactoside and α-mannoside can mediate selective targeting of liposomes toward parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, respectively, of rat liver.