Targeting of liposomes to human keratinocytes through adhesive peptides from immunoglobulin domains in the presence of IFN-gamma.

T-cell adhesion is often dictated by the presence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the target cell surface. Reconstitution of P(0) protein into liposomes increases adhesion to melanoma cells expressing ICAM-1. In our study, the effect of peptides derived from P(0) protein and leukocyte function associated-antigen 1 (LFA-1) on IFN-gamma-stimulated human keratinocytes was investigated. Covalently linked P(0)-peptide-1, from the Ig-like domain, increased specific liposome binding to IFN-gamma-stimulated keratinocytes in a dose-dependent manner. C-terminal-derived P(0)-peptide-3 increased liposome binding nonspecifically. LFA-1 and RGD peptides had no apparent effect. P(0)-peptide-1 is thus a potential targeting ligand for liposomal drug delivery to ICAM-1 expressing keratinocytes in inflammatory dermatoses.