Modified in vivo behavior of liposomes containing synthetic glycolipids

Liposomes with synthetic saccharide determinants were prepared from synthetic cholesterol conjugates of D-mannose and 6-amino-6-deoxy-D-mannose and labeled with [⁵¹Cr]chromate. The kinetics and tissue distribution of label in mice were determined after footpad and subcutaneous injection. Liposomes bearing either of these saccharide determinants greatly increased retention of label at the injection sites compared to control liposomes, which contain no glycolipid, and to free [⁵¹Cr]chromate. Draining lymph nodes contained small fractions of the injected radioactivity but in some cases this retention was saccharide-dependent and highly concentrated. These results show that incorporation of synthetic glycolipids can substantially alter the in vivo lifetime and distribution of liposomes outside the bloodstream. Such surface-modified liposomes may be useful for sustained release or selective delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents.