Band-3 crosslinking-induced targeting of mouse carrier erythrocytes

Mouse band-3 crosslinked carrier erythrocytes have been prepared. [I-125]Ca rbonic anhydrase (CA) has been encapsulated into mouse erythrocytes. Then, loaded erythrocytes were labelled with Cr-51. Eventually, these doubly labe lled cells were crosslinked with band-3 crosslinking reagents. [I-125]CA wa s shown to have cytosolic localization in crosslinked carrier erythrocytes. Estimation of the action of band-3 crosslinkers on mouse carrier-erythrocy te membranes rendered values around 17-21 % of band-3 monomer reduction, Cr osslinked carrier erythrocytes were in vivo targeted to liver, as shown by chromium-labelling localization. Also, encapsulated CA radioactivity was lo calized in vivo predominantly in liver, which is clearly in contrast with t he behaviour shown by free CA injected into animals. These results support this model as a feasible system for the analysis of carrier-erythrocyte sur vival and targeting as well as the in vivo efficacy of release and targetin g of encapsulated compounds.