Development of a bifunctional immunoliposome system for combined drug delivery and imaging in vivo

The diverse characteristics of immunoliposomes provide advantages for utilization in drug delivery systems. In this study, we fused the antibody affinity motif of protein A (ZZ) with Gaussia luciferase (GLase). The fused protein conjugated with an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (GLase-ZZ-His-mAb) was effectively delivered into glioma cells expressing an activated EGFR mutant (EGFRvIII) and the bioluminescence was visualized in the cells. Immunoliposomes were further constructed with DSPE-PEG-MAL for covalent GLase-ZZ-His-mAb conjugation. A fluorescence dye (HPTS) encapsulated in immunoliposomes conjugated with GLase-ZZ-His-mAb was effectively delivered into EGFRvIII-expressing glioma cells. In a murine xenograft model of glioma, moreover, specific targeting of the immunoliposomes was visualized in the tumor. This new bifunctional immunoliposome system has the potential for drug delivery and imaging in vivo.