Serum opsonins and phagocytosis of saturated and unsaturated phospholipid liposomes

S. Moein Moghimi, Harish M. Patel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recently we reported that serum contains opsonins specific for hepatic and splenic phagocytic cells and that these opsonins have different properties and affinities for cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-free egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes (Moghimi, S.M. and Patel, H.M. (1988) FEBS Lett. 233, 143-147). In the present report we investigate the affinity of these opsonins for the liposomes prepared from sphingomyelin and saturated phospholipids, as measured by their effect on the uptake of these liposomes by hepatic and splenic phagocytic cells. Results presented here suggest that neither liver- nor spleen-specific opsonins have affinity for sphingomyelin or saturated phospholipid liposomes since serum fails to enhance their uptake in liver or splenic cells. On the contrrary, these liposomes attract serum dysopsonins which inhibit their uptake by liver cells. Inclusion of cholesterol in these liposome preparations enhances their uptake in splenic cells but not in liver cells. It is suggested that fluidity and hydrophobicity of liposomal membranes play an important role in attracting the right opsonins which determine their phagocytic fate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)384-387
Number of pages4
JournalBBA - Biomembranes
Volume984
Issue number3
StatePublished - Sep 18 1989

Keywords

  • (Rat liver)
  • (Rat spleen)
  • Liposome
  • Macrophage
  • Opsonin
  • Organ specific opsonin
  • Phagocytosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

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