Targeting to macrophages: role of physicochemical properties of particulate carriers—liposomes and microspheres—on the phagocytosis by macrophages

Heterogeneous functions of macrophages in human immune systems have renewed interest in targeting of drugs to these cells. Various carrier systems have emerged to deliver drugs to macrophages, albeit the efficacy, reliability and selectivity of these carriers are still in question. To date, the most...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Controlled Release 2002-02, Vol.79 (1), p.29-40
Main Authors: Ahsan, Fakhrul, Rivas, Isabel P, Khan, Mansoor A, Torres Suárez, Ana I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry, Physical
Drug Carriers - administration & dosage
Drug Carriers - chemistry
Drug Delivery Systems - methods
General pharmacology
Humans
Liposomes
Liposomes - administration & dosage
Liposomes - chemistry
Macrophages
Macrophages - drug effects
Macrophages - immunology
Macrophages - metabolism
Medical sciences
Microspheres
Phagocytosis - drug effects
Phagocytosis - physiology
Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Physicochemical properties
Targeting
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Summary:Heterogeneous functions of macrophages in human immune systems have renewed interest in targeting of drugs to these cells. Various carrier systems have emerged to deliver drugs to macrophages, albeit the efficacy, reliability and selectivity of these carriers are still in question. To date, the most extensively studied carriers are liposomes and microspheres. Various physicochemical properties of these carriers can alter their efficacy and specificity to a great extent. These properties include hydrophilicity, surface charge, composition, concentration, and presence of various ligands. In this review, a comprehensive evaluation of the literature has been carried out in order to show the role of these parameters in the design of carriers for targeting of drugs to macrophages.
ISSN:0168-3659
1873-4995
DOI:10.1016/S0168-3659(01)00549-1