A ligand-targeted liposome (LTL) is a nanocarrier with specific ligands attached to its surface to enhance localization for targeted drug delivery. The targeting ability of LTLs enhances cellular localization and uptake of these liposomes for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. LTLs have the potential to enhance drug delivery by decreasing peripheral systemic toxicity, increasing in vivo drug stability, enhancing cellular uptake, and increasing efficiency for chemotherapeutics and other applications. Liposomes are beneficial in therapeutic manufacturing because of low batch-to-batch variability, easy synthesis, favorable scalability, and strong biocompatibility. Ligand-targeting technology enhances liposomes by adding targeting properties for directed drug delivery.
Ligand selection Ligands are molecules responsible for binding to receptors in the cellular targeting process. Surface-coupled ligands offer a greater degree of freedom to move on the liposome membrane for optimal interactions. Ligands are typically monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or antibody fragments, but can also include other molecules such as ARPG, proteins, peptides, vitamins, carbohydrates, and glycoproteins. The choice of ligand can significantly influence the behavioral and functional properties of a ligand-targeted liposome. Antibody fragments have lower immunogenicity and improved pharmacokinetics. mAbs are unique and can be used for inhibition of DNA repair, terminating the cell cycle, and triggering apoptosis, all of which factor into applications for anticancer drugs. Peptides are relatively easy and affordable to prepare with low antigenicity and lower opsonization, which are thus more resistant to enzymatic degradation. Proteins can target the transferrin receptor membrane glycoprotein. Sugars and vitamins are recognized by cellular transport receptors. Ligand choice is based on receptor expression, ligand internalization, binding affinity, and type of ligand. Ligands alone are not able to carry an efficient payload for therapeutic levels but can carry more of the agent when combined with liposomes.
Ligand attachment to liposome
Ligands can be attached to liposomes through ligation to create ligand-targeted liposomes in a variety of ways. Liposomes have a lipid outer layer that can be used to bind ligands. Conjugation of the ligand to the surface of a liposome can be achieved through multiple routes. Covalent binding is a prominent way due to the anchoring between the long-chain fatty acids and the ligand. Combinations of covalent binding through disulfide linkages, heating, and hydrophobic interactions can be used depending on the properties of the liposome and ligand. Adsorption and membrane fusion are non-covalent methods for the attachment of monoclonal antibodies. Chemical linkages such as covalent bonds are more effective at increasing the amount of attached ligand to the carrier as opposed to non-covalent methods. During chemical coupling for manufacturing, it is crucial that ligands maintain their integrity when attached to the liposome surface. If ligands, such as antibodies, do not maintain binding specificity, proper orientation, and coupling efficiency, the liposome will not be effective.
Cellular interaction and delivery of contained agent
Since the ligand is responsible for cellular interaction, it is chosen for the application depending on the target site. The target site contains binding sites that the ligand targets to deliver the LTL to the desired area. Favorable target site characteristics are determined by what is commonly expressed by tissues of the pathology of interest. Determinants can include histones, basement membrane fibrinogen, selectins, adhesion molecules, and other ligand targets. For example, in some human cancer tumors such as ovarian carcinomas, folate is over-expressed. LTLs for targeting cancer often use a ligand that targets this over-expression of folate to localize drug delivery to the desired area. The tumor microenvironment of solid tumor cancers is also a unique targeting site. Tumor endothelial cells are important for angiogenesis, which is key to tumor growth; therefore, using LTLs to target these cells can limit the growth and vascularization of a tumor.
Ligand-targeted liposomes utilize active targeting to interact with the desired cells. Once administered intravenously into blood circulation, ligand-targeted liposomes must travel to reach the target area to deliver their contents. LTLs retain the contained agent until the process of cellular uptake. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is the most common way LTLs deliver material to the cell. The targeting ligand connected to the liposome attaches to the binding site found on the targeted cell. The LTL's contents are transported to Lysosomes to be processed. This process allows the molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier, which allows the drug to be delivered to tissue that is relatively difficult to reach without a specific mechanism. Less commonly, pinocytosis or phagocytosis may be used for cellular uptake of the liposome. Certain recognition sites, such as ecto-NAD+oglycohydro|ase, mediate uptake to aid in the internalization and effectiveness of the LTLs. The remainder of LTLs in circulation after binding to the target site are mainly cleared through the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The RES includes different organs including the kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The liver is the primary organ for the clearance of LTLs. The RES is most likely able to clear LTLs due to fenestrations in their microvasculature that allow for extravasation. Phagocytic cells within the RES break down LTLs.
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