Molecular Recogniton of Polysaccharide-Coated Liposomes. Importance of Sialic Acid Moiety on Liposomal Surface

Abstract
Conjugation of sialic acid to cholesterol-substituted polysaccharides has been carried out. Liposomes, which are coated with sialic acid-modified polysaccharide, were significantly aggregated by sialic acid-specific lectin, and inhibition of phagocytosis of the liposomes by phagocytic cells was observed. Appropriate treatment of the liposomes with a neuraminidase made the efficient removal of sialic acid from the polysaccharide on the liposomal surface.