Exploitation of Macrophage Clearance Functions In Vivo

Abstract

The propensity of macrophages for the phagocytic clearance of colloidal particles provides a rational approach to macrophage-specific targeting and drug delivery. Furthermore, by precision engineering, colloidal drug carriers can be targeted to selective population of macrophages in the body as well as intracellular locations. These approaches have led to the development of a number of regulatory-approved particulate formulations for delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to macrophages. This article will briefly discuss selected approaches and highlight barriers in in vivo macrophage-specific targeting with colloidal carriers via intravenous, subcutaneous and oral routes of administration, and it explores avenues for selective modification of macrophage cellular activity.KeywordsAntigen presentationColloidal carriersDrug deliveryKupffer cellsLiposomesLymph nodesM cellsMacrophage suicideNanospheresPoloxamerPoloxamineSplenic macrophagesStimulated macrophages