Manipulation of Macrophage Activities Using Liposomes

Abstract

Macrophages are of critical importance in a variety of pathological conditions and selective manipulation of macrophage functions may offer new possibilities for therapy. At present, the signalling pathways that control the different activities of macrophages, including phagocytosis and inflammatory mediator production, are being resolved and selective (ant)agonists of the relevant signalling components will gradually become available. However, the activities of such signalling components are generally not restricted to macrophages and this may result in undesirable effects. We suggest that liposomes may overcome these problems by allowing the selective targeting of drugs to the interior of the macrophage in vivo. (macrophages, liposomes, phagocytosis, activation)