Erythrocyte carriers.

The properties of erythrocytes used as carriers for drugs, enzymes, and DNA will be reviewed. One potential application is delivery of these substances to cells responsible for or capable of erythrophagocytosis and are located primarily in the liver and the spleen. A second potential application depends on the ability of loaded cells to survive for substantial periods of time in the circulation after reinfusion. Circulating cells used as drug carriers may be able to modify the pharmacokinetics of administered drugs and if used as enzyme carriers, they may be able to alter the level of various substances in the plasma. Erythrocytes in vitro may fuse with recipient cells, introducing their contents in a functional form into recipient cells. Nucleic acids, either RNA or DNA, as well as enzymes or other entrapped substances, may be transferred in this manner.