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Article: 16. Specific targeting of liposomes functionalized with mistletoe lectin I.(Brief article)
- Article from:
- Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology
- Article date:
- October 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Urban & Fischer Verlag. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Liposomes, which are spherical vehicles formed by a phospholipid bilayer, are attractive drug carriers due to their biocompatibility and capacity to carry both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Liposomes can be modified by coupling proteins to their surface, so that active targeting to certain cells is achieved.
Mistletoe lectins are able to recognize and bind to carbohydrate structures on cellular surfaces. Afterwards the cells take up the mistletoe lectin together with components attached to it. This endocytotic mechanism is to be used for active targeting of liposomes to MOLT4 cells within this project.
The protein is bound to the liposomal membrane ...