Real-time in vivo imaging of surface-modified liposomes to evaluate their behavior after pulmonary administration

Our previous study demonstrated that surface modification of liposomes using polyvinyl alcohol with a hydrophobic anchor (PVA-R) achieved sustained absorption from the lung after pulmonary administration and prolonged the pharmacological effects of the model peptide drug. In the present study, the behavior of PVA-R-modified liposomes in the lung and whole body was monitored using a real-time in vivo imaging system. Subsequently, the influence of surface modification with PVA-R on liposomal behavior in lung tissue was examined. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used as a near-infrared label of PVA-R-modified liposomes and was used to observe their dynamic behavior using non-invasive in vivo imaging (IVIS® imaging system) after pulmonary administration to rats. PVA-R-modified submicron-sized liposomes (ssLips) induced long-term retention in the lung compared with unmodified liposomes. Moreover, liposome association with alveolar macrophages (NR8383) was decreased by PVA-R modification in vitro. Therefore, PVA-R modification may prevent rapid elimination of ssLips by macrophages, thereby increasing retention in the lung.