Interactions of liposomes with serum proteins.

The interactions of serum proteins are diverse, complex and can lead to dramatic effects on liposome stability and in vivo behavior; conversely lipids can modify the biological activities of serum proteins. Serum lipoproteins can potentially destabilize bilayer membranes leading to vesicle disruption and loss of contents; irregularities in the lipid bilayer, such as those which exist at phase boundaries, promote the destabilizing effects of lipoproteins. Other serum components such as fibronectin, immunoglobulins and C reactive protein can modify the biological properties of liposomes by promoting interactions with reticuloendothelial cells and/or activation of the complement system. Liposomes can avidly bind certain serum clotting factors, a process which can lead to dramatic effects on the clotting cascade. Thus the interactions of liposomes with serum proteins can reciprocally effect both components involved.