Chemically synthesized glycoconjugates on proteins: effects of multivalency and glycoform in vivo

Abstract

The biodistributions and in vivo kinetics of chemically prepared glycoconjugates on proteins are reviewed. Chemical methods can be used to conjugate various mono- and oligosaccharides onto a protein surface. The kinetics and organ-specific accumulation profiles of these glycoconjugates, which are introduced through intravenous injections, have been analyzed using conventional dissection studies as well as non-invasive methods such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and fluorescence imaging. The results suggest that glycan-dependent protein distribution kinetics may be useful for pharmacological and diagnostic applications.