Protein-coated and polysaccharide-coated liposomes as drug carriers.

Saccharides on the surface of cell membranes play an important role in cell-cell recognition, which is the most important process utilizable for targeting of drugs encapsulated in an artificial cell, liposome. To design a targetable drug carrier, hence, employing synthesized or natural glycolipids as the recognition site of the liposomal drug carrier is certainly one of useful approach. On the other hand, coating the outermost surface of liposomes with polysaccharide derivatives is also another way for liposomes to be utilized as a targetable drug carrier. In this review, from such a viewpoint, the importance and usefulness of saccharide moiety on the surface of liposomes will be discussed in conjunction with the targeting of drugs.