| abstract |
The invention relates to the efficient preparation of radionuclide labeled liposomes and radionuclide-labeled liposome-encapsulated protein. In particular, a 99mTc carrier is used to label preformed liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. 99mTc-labeled liposomes and liposome-encapsulated 99mTc labeled hemoglobin are highly stable in vitro and in vivo and are suitable for a variety of clinical uses, including biodistribution imaging studies. The invention also relates to a method of labeling neutrophils using 99mtechnetium-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. A kit method useful for the convenient preparation of 99mTc-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin for clinical use is also disclosed. |