High-affinity targeting of biotin-labeled liposomes to streptavidin-conjugated ligands

Abstract

Cell-specific delivery of drug-loaded liposomal carrier systems can be achieved through the use of liposomes with covalently attached proteins. For such targeting strategies to be successful a number of potential difficulties, related to the preparation of the liposomes as well as optimization of properties that maximize in vivo access and binding to a defined target cell population, must be overcome. The studies summarized here have attempted to identify specific factors that will promote binding of targeted liposomes to defined target surfaces. Liposomes containing biotinylated phospha-tidylethanolamine were used to demonstrate that the avidity of a targeted liposome for streptavidin-coated ELISA plates and cells is influenced by liposome lipid composition, the amount of targeting molecule present per liposome, the nature of the targeting ligand, and the target surface. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the three most important factors (in order of importance) controlling the apparent affinity of targeted liposomes are (1) target ligand concentration in the liposomal membrane; (2) the presence of a spacer grout between the biotin and the phospholipid headgroup; and (3) the addition of cholesterol. Other less important factors that influence target liposome binding include whether the target ligand is attached to a saturated phospholipid compared to an unsaturated lipid and whether the bulk phospholipid species in the liposome is unsaturated versus saturated. These studies suggest that targeted liposomes exhibiting a broad range of binding avidities, as estimated by the concentration of liposomes required to achieve saturation of a target surface, can be prepared by selective design of the liposomal carrier. Advantages of the biotinylated liposome for targeting include the relative ease of preparation the possibility of preparation of large-scale batches suitable for clinical development), the ease of incorporation of the targeting ligand, and, importantly, the ability to alter the apparent affinity of the liposome for the target cell through choice of the biotin-labeled lipid and targeting molecule concentration. The potential for developing a two-step targeting strategy based on the use of biotinylated liposomes is discussed.