THE COMPLEMENT-SYSTEM IN LIPOSOME CLEARANCE - CAN COMPLEMENT DEPOSITION BE INHIBITED

The activation of complement results in the opsonization of particles for removal by the reticuloendothelial system. Experimental evidence s uggests that complement-mediated clearance of liposomal systems may si gnificantly contribute to liposome biodistribution, Because of the mul tiplicity of complement activation mechanisms and the large number of proteins in the pathway, there are multiple opportunities to reduce or eliminate the opsonic effects of complement activation. This review a ddresses the state of our understanding of the interaction of liposome s with complement proteins and suggests some approaches to minimize co mplement activation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.