3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid hydrazide as a cross-linker in the formation of liposome-antibody conjugates

Liposome antibody conjugates are potentially useful as a means of targeting drugs to specific tissues. A new protocol for the conjugation of IgG to maleimide-containing liposomes was developed using 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid hydrazide (PDPH) as a cross-linker. Periodate-oxidized antibody was treated with PDPH to yield a hydrazone derivative. Deprotection with DTT produced a thiolated antibody which was then conjugated to liposomes containing N-[4-(p-maleidophenyl)butyryl]-1,2-sn-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine. The Liposome-antibody conjugates were found to have in vitro properties similar to those of conjugates formed by the traditional 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (SPDP) protocol but were cleared less rapidly in circulation. The PDPH protocol presents a viable alternative to SPDP, particularly for antibodies sensitive to amine modification.