Antibody Targeting of Nanoparticles to Tumor-Specific Receptors: Immunoliposomes
Immunoliposomes generated by coupling of antibodies to the liposomal surface all
Immunoliposomes generated by coupling of antibodies to the liposomal surface allow for an active tissue targeting, e.g., through binding to tumor cell-specific receptors. Instead of whole antibodies, single-chain Fv fragments (scFv), which represent the smallest part of an antibody containing the entire antigen-binding site, find increasing usage as targeting moiety. Here we provide protocols for the preparation of type II scFv immunoliposomes by the conventional coupling method as well as the post-insertion method. Furthermore protocols to analyze binding of these immunoliposomes to antigen-expressing cells as well as internalization through receptor-mediated endocytosis are included.