A simple method for preparation of immuno-magnetic liposomes

A simple and readily manoeuverable method for preparing immune-magnetic liposomes that indigenously contain binding sites for attaching other molecules like antibodies on their exterior surface is described. In this method magnetic unilamellar vesicles are prepared from a mixture of phosphatidylcholine. cholesterol, small amounts of a linear chain aldehyde and colloidal particles of magnetic iron oxide, using a reverse phase evaporation technique. The aldehyde (dedecanal) molecules align themselves among the lipid molecules in the bilayer with their aldehyde groups: exposed to the aqueous phase, allowing straight attachment of antibody molecules (human-antimouse IgG-FITC in this case) in one single step. The success of this approach is confirmed by fluorescence microscopy as well as binding of the resulting immune-magnetic liposomes to their corresponding target cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.