Lectin-Mediated Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems

Lectin-mediated systems exploit the natural carbohydrate-binding properties of lectins to achieve precise targeting of nanoparticle drug carriers. Lectins, a diverse family of proteins found in plants, animals and microbes, bind specific glycan motifs on cell surfaces, facilitating receptor-mediated endocytosis and enhanced cellular uptake. Commonly employed plant lectins include wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and concanavalin A, while animal lectins such as galectins are under investigation for their role in tumour homing. Surface functionalisation strategies range from covalent conjugation to adsorption and glycosylated amphiphile insertion, enabling stable presentation of lectin moieties. These designs have demonstrated improved bioavailability, prolonged circulation, mucoadhesion and reduced systemic toxicity across oral, pulmonary and parenteral routes. Key applications span targeted cancer chemotherapy, delivery of anti-infective agents to macrophages, mucosal vaccination and real-time imaging. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, challenges remain in controlling immunogenicity, preserving lectin bioactivity during scale-up and ensuring reproducibility of glycan-lectin interactions. Ongoing advances in glycoengineering and nanoparticle formulation aim to bridge these gaps, paving the way for clinically viable lectin-guided therapeutics.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Lectin-Mediated Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in lectin-mediated nanoparticle drug delivery systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Lectin: A protein that recognises and binds specific carbohydrate structures on cell surfaces, mediating cell targeting.
Nanoparticle (NP): A colloidal carrier, typically under 200 nm, designed to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA): A biodegradable copolymer widely used for controlled-release formulations.
Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA): A plant lectin with high affinity for N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid, used to functionalise nanoparticle surfaces.
Mucoadhesion: The ability of a material to adhere to mucosal surfaces, enhancing local retention.
Zeta potential: The electrical potential at the nanoparticle interface, influencing colloidal stability and cell interaction.

References

1. Demystifying multipronged approaches of wheat germ agglutinin-mediated drug delivery, targeting, and imaging: An explicative review. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology (2024).
2. Real-Time Label-Free Targeting Assessment and in Vitro Characterization of Curcumin-Loaded Poly-lactic-co-glycolic Acid Nanoparticles for Oral Colon Targeting. ACS Omega (2019).
3. Development of a Novel Lipid-Based Nanosystem Functionalized with WGA for Enhanced Intracellular Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics (2022).