Immunoliposomes doubly targeted to transferrin receptor and to α-synuclein

AIM The present study was designed to test the cellular uptake of PEGylated liposomes targeted to transferrin receptor and to α-synuclein by a cell model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). MATERIALS & METHODS PEGylated immunoliposomes were prepared with anti-transferrin receptor OX26 and anti-α-synuclein LB509 antibodies to overcome the BBB in Parkinson's disease. RESULTS The doubly targeted immunoliposomes bind to transferrin receptor and to α-synuclein protein, as assessed by ELISA assays. We establish that 40% of an encapsulated tested drug (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is released in a time frame of 44 h, which is reasonable for sustained release. The cellular uptake of doubly targeted immunoliposomes in cultured brain endothelial cells hCMEC/D3 was two-times more efficient than that of PEGylated liposomes. CONCLUSION Immunoliposomes targeted to BBB receptors and to α-synuclein could potentially enable the transport of drugs across the BBB and reach one of the drug targets in Parkinson's disease.