LIVER TARGETING OF INTERFERON THROUGH PULLULAN CONJUGATION

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to actively target interferon ( IFN) to the liver through its chemical conjugation with pullulan, a wa ter-soluble polysaccharide with a high affinity for the liver Methods. Chemical conjugation of IFN with pullulan was achieved by a cyanuric chloride method Following intravenous injection of the conjugates to m ice, their body distribution and the activity of an IFN-induced enzyme , 2',5'-oligodenylate (2-5A) synthetase in the liver and other organs, were evaluated. Results. The cyanuric chloride method enabled us to p repare an IFN-pullulan conjugate that retained approximately 7-9 % of the biological activity of IFN. Pullulan conjugation enhanced the live r accumulation of IFN and the retention period with the results being reproducible. When injected intravenously to mice, the IFN-pullulan co njugate enhanced the activity of 2-5A synthetase in the liver. The act ivity could be induced at IFN doses much lower than those of free IFN injection. In addition, the liver 2-5A synthetase induced by conjugate injection was retained for 3 days, whereas it was lost within the fir st day for the free IFN-injected mice. Conclusions. IFN-pullulan conju gation was promising for IFN targeting to the liver with efficient exe rtion of its antiviral activity therein.