Non-crosslinked protein particles for therapeutic and diagnostic use

Abstract

Albumin particles in the nanometer and micrometer size range in an aqueous suspension are rendered stable against resolubilization without the aid of a crosslinking agent and without denaturation, by the incorporation of a stabilizing agent in the particle composition. Particles which are primarily albumin in the nanometer and micrometer size range in an aqueous suspension are rendered stable against resolublization by the incorporation of a reducing agent, oxidizing agent, hydrogen-accepting molecule, high molecular weight polymer, sulfur-containing ring compound or combinations thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Therapeutic drugs are typically administered orally or by intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous injections. Intravenous injection is the most direct means of administration and results in the fastest equilibration of the drug with the blood stream. Drugs injected intravascularly reach peak serum levels within a short time, however. Toxic effects can result from such high serum levels, especially if the drug is given as a bolus injection. To avoid such high concentrations, drugs can be administered slowly as a continuous drip. This however requires prolonged nursing care and, in some cases, hospitalization which itself entails high cost. To avoid this, efforts have been made to develop means of administering drugs within stable carriers which allow bolus intravenous injections but provide a gradual release of the drugs inside the vasculature.

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) directs drugs preferentially to the liver and spleen, and its uptake of a carrier thus interferes with the distribution of the drug to other parts of the body. If however the carriers are small enough so that the phagocytic cells such as macrophages do not preferentially ingest them, the carriers would escape the RES long enough to perform other tasks. If the carriers also contain antibodies or other ligands on their surfaces which specifically bind to antigenic sites or specific receptors, these antibodies or ligands will direct the drugs to specific cell types containing these sites or receptors. This would result in a higher concentration of the drug near the surfaces of the targeted cells without a higher risk of systemic side effects.

Entrapment of useful agents serves useful purposes in other medical applications as well. Tiny air bubbles, for example, are useful in ultrasonography, where they are used to provide strong contrast to blood vessels and organs traversed by the bubbles. If the bubbles are injected through a peripheral vein, however, they must travel through the right heart, the pulmonary vasculature and then the left heart before they can reach to the other internal organs. Since the bubbles are inherently unstable, they are not able to remain small enough for effective ultrasonographic contrast by the time the intended organs are reached. Entrapment of small air bubbles in small particulate carriers would allow the bubbles to serve their intended function even after long distances of travel within the intravascular compartment.

Similar advantages by using small particulate carriers for contrast material for CAT scans and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scans. Abnormally high concentrations of contrast material at an injection site which might lead to false interpretation of the results could be avoided by administration of the contrast material as an agent retained in a particulate carrier to be released later at the site of the organ of interest.

Oxygen is another vital biological molecule that can be carried within a particulate carrier if the carrier contains hemoglobin. While hemoglobin molecules in large amounts are toxic to the human body, entrapment of hemoglobin within a particulate carrier will reduce its toxicity to vital organs while permitting it to deliver oxygen.

To summarize, stable porous and membraneless carriers which deliver biological agents to sites within the body offer many advantages. The two major approaches of particulate carriers in the prior art are liposomes and microspheres.

In liposomes, a shell is formed by a lipid layer or multiple lipid layers surrounding a central hydrophilic solution containing the medication. The lipid layers are inherently unstable and much research went into stabilizing them during the manufacturing process. In addition, the lipid layer(s) may serve as a barrier to diffusion of certain molecules. It is difficult for a hydrophilic substrate to diffuse through the hydrophobic layers into the interior of the liposomes, or conversely, for the drugs to be released without physical destruction of the lipid layer(s).

Microspheres, in contrast to liposomes, do not have a surface membrane or a special outer layer to maintain their intactness. Most microspheres are more or less homogenous in structure. To maintain the stability of the microspheres, manufacturing procedures in the prior art include a cross-linking process to stabilize the microspheric mass. The cross-linking agent however alters the chemical nature of the natural biological molecule, which may render the resultant product antigenic to the injected host. An anaphylactic reaction to such a newly created antigenicity is unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Protein particles in essentially spheric form are useful in the encapsulation and delivery of nutrients and biologics such as oxygen, enzymes, drugs, and information molecules (DNA, RNA and hybrid molecules of DNA and RNA) to cells and tissues.

To preserve the intactness of the spheres after synthesis and to allow further purification or concentration of the spheres, a variety of methods have been used during or after synthesis to prevent resolubilization of the protein particles. These methods include heat denaturization (see, Evans, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,685 and Widder, et al., Adv. Pharmacol. and Chemother. 16:213-271 (1979)); addition of a cross-linking agent to initiate find complete formation of particles composed of covalently and irreversibly crosslinked protein molecules (see Oppenheim, U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,288); and the addition of a cross-linking agent following the formation of protein spheres in the presence of alcohol (see Yen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,936). More recently, a method has been described for stabilizing protein spheres against resolubilization by incorporating hemoglobin molecules into albumin spheres (see Yen, co-pending application Ser. No. 08/212,546.

Other literature of potential relevance to the present invention is as follows.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,821, Kreuter, et at., May 26, 1981, for "Biological Material" discloses processes for the preparation of submicroscopic particles of a physiologically acceptable polymer associated with a biologically active material by using a cross-linking agent such as a polymerisable material soluble in a liquid medium (methyl methacrylate as an example).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,685, Evans et al., May 16, 1972, for "Biodegradable Radioactive Particles" (hereafter "Evans") discloses a method of preparing biodegradable radioactive particles by using heated water-oil solutions.

Widder, et al., "Magnetically Responsive Microspheres And Other Carriers For The Biophysical Targeting Of Antitumor Agents", Advances in Pharmacology and Chemotherapy 16:213-271 (1979) disclose emulsion polymerization methods of preparation of albumin microspheres (pages 233-235) and preparation of magnetically responsive albumin microsphere (pages 241-250). The methods essentially involve emulsification and heat denaturation of a water-oil solution to produce and stabilize microspheres. The authors also state that for heat sensitive drugs the microspheres are stabilized by chemical cross-linking.

To summarize this literature, typical prior art processes require irradiation, heat, or reaction with a cross-linking agent to polymerize the "monomers" (which are the individual protein molecules such as human serum albumin or gelatin molecules) to convert them to stable particles. Prior art methods which use heat to cross-link and stabilize the protein involve irreversible denaturation of the proteins which renders them "foreign" to the host body.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,322, Devissaguet, et al., Sep. 17, 1991 discloses a method of producing a colloidal system containing 150-450 nm particles by dissolving a protein ingredient in a solvent and adding ethanol or mixture of ethanol containing surfactant. Devissaguet does not disclose adding a second protein ingredient. Devissaguet discloses a process of producing colloidal spheres which have a distinct "wall" (column 2, line 25) or "layer" (column 8, line 33) of substance A which is different from the "core" of substance B (column 8, line 18), where the substance B may be a biologically active substance. This disclosure requires that the wall material and the core material both be present in a first liquid phase, which is then added to a second liquid phase that is a non-solvent for both materials. The resulting product is not homogeneous, and relies on the wall for its particle integrity.

Albert L. Lehninger, Biochemistry: The Molecular Basis of Cell Structure and Function (1972) discloses that ethanol as a solvent can decrease the ionization of proteins and therefore promote their coalescence and produce "colloidal suspensions". Lehninger does not disclose a special method of preparing colloidal suspensions, but rather generally a method of promoting protein coalescence by using ethanol, "�s!ince a decrease in dielectric constant increases the attractive force between two opposite charges, ethanol decreases the ionization of proteins and thus promotes their coalescence" (page 134, lines 21 through 25, citations omitted). Lehninger has defined the process of "coalescence" as a process leading to "insoluble aggregates" (page 133, lines 31 through 35).

"Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences", 7th ed. (1985) discloses some general knowledge of "colloidal dispersions". Remington teaches that adding surfactant "stabilizes the dispersion against coagulation" (page 286, column 2, lines 59 and 60), where the surfactant molecules "arrange themselves at the interface between water and an organic solid or liquid of low polarity in such a way that the hydrocarbon chain is in contact with the surface of the solid particle or sticks inside the oil droplet while the polar bead group is oriented towards the water phase" (page 286, column 2, lines 30 through 35). Remington does not specially disclose the use of any particular protein molecules such as globin as the primary protein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that protein particles in the nanometer and micrometer size range, suspended in an aqueous medium, can be made stable against resolubilization (i.e., prevented from redissolving) upon storage, dilution and dialysis, by the inclusion of certain noncrosslinking additives, and that noncrosslinking additives can also reduce or eliminate the tendency of protein particles to aggregate in aqueous suspensions. In particular, particles of non-crosslinked and non-denatured albumin in a suspension are stabilized against resolubilization by the inclusion of reducing agents, oxidizing agents, phosphorylated compounds, sulfur containing compounds, polymers and combinations thereof.

A convenient method of forming the particles of either protein is by adding a water-soluble lower alkyl alcohol to an aqueous solution of the protein. Upon formation of the particles, the solution turns turbid. The stabilizing agent may then be added in a volume sufficiently small so that the aqueous solvent medium (for the agent) will not cause a decrease in the alcohol concentration that will disrupt the protein particles. After a minimal time of interaction which allows the stabilizing agent to completely stabilize the protein spheres against resolubilization, the suspension may be diluted in an alcohol-free aqueous medium to lower the alcohol content. Alternatively, the suspension may be dialyzed against an aqueous medium to remove any molecular species small enough to pass through the dialysis membrane (i.e. alcohol, surfactant, and other added but unincorporated reagents) or washed by repeated cycles of centrifugation and resuspension of the pelleted protein particles in a new medium. Even if neither dilution or dialysis is performed and the particle suspension is administered as formed, a similar effect occurs when the suspension is administered to a patient where it combines with the patient's serum or other bodily fluids. In any case, both dilution and dialysis raise the tendency of the particles to return to solution. In a laboratory vessel, resolubilization is evident when the turbidity disappears and is replaced once again by a clear solution. The additive prevents this from happening without the need for crosslinking. The benefits of the particulate form are thus retained without the need for a crosslinking reaction or the danger of an irreversibly crosslinked particle.

Aggregation of the particles arises in some cases immediately upon their formation and, in some cases, upon dialysis or storage for several hours. Aggregated particles are often too large to be administered effectively, and when close control of the particle size is desired, this is defeated by aggregation. The discovery that aggregation can be avoided by the inclusion of the additives listed above therefore adds a further benefit to the benefits achieved by the elimination of crosslinking.

This invention therefore permits the formation of albumin particles in the nanometer to micrometer size range, in a form closer to their natural form than the forms of the prior art. The particles thus constitute a more closely controlled agent for in vivo administration, either for their own administration or as a vehicle for other therapeutic or diagnostic agents, or as a building block for cellular processes. These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The protein particles which are the subject of this invention are monodisperse particles, generally spherical in shape. The term "monodisperse" as used herein denotes discrete single particles which are individually suspended in the aqueous suspension and are neither attached nor adhered to other particles, as distinct from aggregates or aggregated particles, which are groups of two or more, and as many as a hundred or more, such particles adhering to each other by surface interaction or attraction, the aggregates themselves being suspended in the medium in the same manner as the monodisperse particles. While large aggregates can be discerned by the naked eye, a microscope is generally required to differentiate mid-size to small aggregates from monodisperse particles.

Agents which were found to have a stabilizing effect on protein particles include reducing agents, oxidizing agents, high molecular weight polymers (i.e. polyethylene glycol), hydrogen acceptor molecules (i.e. NADP), carboxylic acids having multiple oxygen functionality, and sulfur containing ring compounds (i.e. thioctic acid).

More particularly, the stabilizing agents which are reducing agents can be either organic reducing agents such as dithiothreitol or mercaptoethanol, or inorganic reducing agents such as sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite.

Stabilizing agents which are high molecular weight polymers will typically be polyethyleneglycols.

An example of a stabilizing agent which is a hydrogen acceptor molecule is NADP.

Yet another group of stabilizing agents are those which can be classified as sulfur containing ring compounds, an example of which is thioctic acid.

Still yet another group of stabilizing agents are those which have multiple oxygen functionality, particularly alpha-keto carboxylic acids, alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids. Examples in this group include lactic acid (D and L forms), succinic acid, ascorbic acid and 1-ketoglutaric acid.

The stabilizing agents can either be present in the protein solution before the addition of alcohol, such that particles subsequently formed are stable against resolubilization, or be added to suspensions of protein particles. Similarly, biological molecules can be added to the protein solution before formation of the particles or spheres, or they can be added after the appearance of turbidity which indicates the formation of particulates. The biological molecules are carried either in the interior or on the surface of the spheres, or both. Additionally, the properties of such added molecules are not altered by the stabilizing agents.

The size range of the particles of the present invention extends into both nanometer and micrometer ranges. In general, particles of interest will primarily range from about 50 to about 5000 nanometers in diameter, in monodisperse form. The appropriate or optimal size range for particular uses of the particles or methods of administration will vary with the use or method.

The aqueous medium in which the particles are formed is a homogeneous, water-containing liquid, which may also contain additional components such as surface active agents, buffering agents and inorganic ions. Aqueous media of particular interest in the context of this invention are distilled or deionized water, normal saline and hypotonic saline. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the particles are formed further includes the alcohol which induces the turbidity, the alcohol being fully miscible with the water in the medium to result in a homogeneous continuous phase. In most applications of the invention, the particles will constitute at least about 1.0 g per liter of the suspension, preferably from about 1.0 g per liter to about 150 g per liter, and in many applications at least about 3.0 g per liter, and preferably from about 5.0 g per liter to about 50 g per liter.

In embodiments of the invention in which the suspension is subjected to dilution in, or dialysis against, a second aqueous medium, the second aqueous medium will also be a water-containing liquid, most likely containing neither alcohol nor surfactants. The second aqueous medium is alcohol-free, and is preferably a biological fluid, a fluid similar in composition to a biological fluid, or a fluid which is compatible with a biological fluid. Compatible fluids are those which do not cause adverse physiological effects upon administration. Examples are water, normal saline, and 5% aqueous human serum albumin (HSA).

Dilution may be done to varying degrees, although in most cases the amount of aqueous medium added will result in a volume increase of at least about 50%. The invention is particularly effective when dilutions are performed by adding an equal volume of aqueous medium (100% volume increase) or greater.

The alcohol referred to above is a lower alkyl alcohol, preferably either methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol or n-butanol. Among these alcohols, ethanol and n-butanol are particularly preferred. When included, the alcohol is present in an amount sufficient to induce turbidity in the initial aqueous solution of the protein, and preferably to cause precipitation of all protein dissolved in the solution. In most applications, this mount will fall within the range of about 5% to about 80% by volume of the aqueous medium, and preferably from about 10% to about 50%.

The primary protein component of the particles of interest in the present invention is albumin, which is neither denatured nor crosslinked. The albumin, the albumin may be any of the various known types of albumin, the choice being governed by the route or method of administration to the patient. Serum albumin, particularly human serum albumin, is preferred.

The surfactants used in certain embodiments of the invention are anionic water-soluble surfactants, preferably sodium or potassium alcohol sulfates. Particularly preferred are sodium or potassium C.sub.6 --C.sub.16 alkyl sulfates and sodium or potassium C.sub.8 -C.sub.14 alkyl sulfates. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium tetradecylsulfate are the most preferred.

The amount of surfactant used in these embodiments may vary depending on the other system parameters. For albumin-based particles where the particles are formed as a suspension in a first aqueous medium, then diluted by addition of a second aqueous medium, best results will be obtained using at least about 1.0 g of surfactant per liter of the suspension prior to dilution or dialysis. Preferably, the surfactant constitutes from about 0.5 g to about 5 g per liter of the suspension, particularly when the suspension contains at least about 15 g of particles per liter of suspension.

The following examples are offered solely for purposes of illustration, and are intended neither to limit nor to define the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the synthesis of particles of human serum albumin (HSA), followed by dilution in either water or normal saline, the particles being formed without the inclusion of a stabilizing agent against resolubilization upon dilution, but with the use of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) to prevent aggregation of the particles.

The HSA was prepared by diluting stock HSA (25% in normal saline) in distilled water to 80 mg/mL. Mixtures of this solution were then prepared by combining it with water and SLS in the amounts shown in Table I, followed by the addition of ethanol. As shown in the table, turbidity resulted in each tube, with the particles in tubes 30 and 31 (containing 2 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively, of the SLS based on the solution prior to the addition of the ethanol) being monodisperse and those in tube 32 (lacking SLS) being aggregated. The table also shows that upon dilution of the tubes with equal volumes of distilled water or normal saline buffer, the contents of tubes 30 and 31 redissolved into a clear solution within one hour.

These results indicate that a stabilizing agent is needed for HSA particles to prevent redissolving of the particles upon dilution, and a surfactant is needed to prevent the particles from aggregating.

TABLE I______________________________________HSA Particles with Surfactant but no Stabilizing AgentTube Contents (balance: waterto achieve total volume of 1.0 Size (andmL before addition of alcohol) Condition) of HSA SLS ParticlesTube (mL at 80 (mL at 8 Ethanol Formed Effect ofNo. mg/mL) mg/mL) (mL) (.mu.m) Dilution______________________________________30 0.25 0.250 0.8 0.1 (mono- redissolves disperse)31 0.25 0.125 0.8 0.05 (mono- redissolves disperse)32 0.25 0.000 0.8 (aggregated) --______________________________________

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates the use of a stabilizing agent to prevent resolubilization of human serum albumin (HSA) spheres.

Ethanol (70% in water) was added dropwise to a solution of HSA (150 mg/mL in normal saline, N.S.) in a volume of from about 1.2 to 1.8 times the volume of protein solution, to form a turbid suspension of spheres. The average diameter of the spheres examined under light microscopy was about 0.8 to 1.2 microns. When the HSA concentration is 50 mg/mL or lower, the spheres or particles formed are typically 0.2 to 0.5 microns in diameter.

Aliquots of the suspension were dispensed into tubes (0.5 mL per robe). A stock solution of stabilizing agent such as a reducing agent (1M of sodium bisulfite) was serially diluted two fold each step for 12 steps. Then 5 .mu.L of the stabilizing agent at various concentrations was added to 0.5 mL of unstabilized sphere suspensions. Five microliters of N.S. was added to each of the control tubes. The protein particles remain intact at this level of dilution (typically 1% dilution). Larger volumes of any non-alcohol containing aqueous media (e.g. greater than 2 volumes per 100 volumes of nonstabilized protein particle suspensions) will increase the risk of partial resolubilization of the protein particles, resulting in a lower concentration of particles which had approximately the same size range.

After 2 hours, an aliquot from each tube was examined under the microscope to check for any change in the average diameter of the spheres or the presence of aggregates. None were observed.

After incubation for at least 2 hours, normal saline (1.5 mL) was added to each tube. Control tubes and HSA particle suspensions with insufficient amount of stabilizing agent turned from turbid suspensions to clear solutions within 5 minutes. The minimum final concentration of stabilizing agents (before addition of the non-alcohol dilution medium) needed to maintain turbidity after dilution of the alcohol content was noted. The highest final concentration of stabilizing agents (before addition of the non-alcohol dilution medium) which allow the particles to remain monodisperse without the formation of aggregates was also noted.

After the approximate effective concentrations (the range between the maximal and minimal final concentrations) from the twofold dilutions of stock stabilizing agents were found, the experiments were repeated with narrower ranges of final concentrations to further refine the effective range accurately.

Additional agents were checked for their ability to stabilize HSA spheres against resolubilization. The effect of a longer incubation times (up to 18 hr) was also examined. It was found that longer incubation times allowed a lower concentration of stabilizing agent to be used while retaining effectiveness in preventing resolubilization of the spheres, without aggregate formation.

Table II provides the minimal and maximal final concentrations of each stabilizing agent in the final volume of sphere suspension (before addition of the non-alcohol dilution medium) that was needed to maintain particulate intactness against resolubilization without causing aggregate formation.

TABLE II______________________________________Effective Concentrations of Agents Used to Stabilize Protein Spheres Effective Concentrations (.mu.M)Agent Minimum Maximum______________________________________Sodium Bisulfite* (NaHSO.sub.3) 650 5000Sodium Sulfide* 500 2500NADP* 250 2500DTT* 100 1000Glutathione* (reduced form) 100 2500***PEG (MW 2000)* 12.5 2500 .mu.g/mLPEG (MW 5000)* 12.5 2500 .mu.g/mLPEG (MW 8000)* 12.5 2500 .mu.g/mLSodium Bisulfite 50 500Sodium Sulfite (Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3) 50 10002-Mercaptoethanol 10** 5000DL-Lactic Acid 500 1000Thioctic Acid (oxidized) 10 500Stannous Chloride 250 2500Succinic Acid (4*) 1000 2500Ascorbic Acid (4*) 1000 25001-Ketoglutaric Acid (4*) 500 1000Cysteine (4*) 500 2500Manganese Chloride (4*) 1000 2500______________________________________ *Incubation time between agent and sphere suspension was 2 hours, all other incubation times were approximately 18 hours. **Lowest final concentration tested was 10 .mu.M. ***Highest final concentration tested was 2500 .mu.M. 4* Initial conc of HSA was 5%, instead of 15% which required approximatel double the minimum concentration of agent to achieve stability against resolubilization.

EXAMPLE 3

This example illustrates particular agents that were not effective in protecting spheres against resolubilization.

The same experimental protocol was followed as described in Example 2. Turbidity of the suspensions was reversed to clear solutions within 2 hours of dilution with normal saline (3 volumes per volume of suspension. ) Table III provides the unsuccessful agents used.

TABLE III______________________________________Ineffective Stabilizing Agents Final concentration checked (.mu.M, unless specified)Agent lowest highest______________________________________NaNO.sub.2 (sodium nitrite) 10 10,000NADH 50 10,000NADPH 50 10,000Glutathione (oxidized form) 50 10,000Hydrogen peroxide 0.01% 0.3%Sodium Glucuronate 10 10,000Isocitric 10 10,0002-Hydroxybutyric Acid 10 10,000Glucose 10 10,000Fructose 10 10,000Lactose 10 10,000Galactose 10 10,000Cytochrome C 10 10Phenazine Methosulfate 10 10,000Dichlorophenolindophenol 10 100FAD 10 500FMN 10 1000Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride 10 1000______________________________________

EXAMPLE 4

This example illustrates the minimal time of interaction between sphere suspension and stabilizing agent needed for stabilization of spheres.

Sodium bisulfite was selected as a typical stabilizing agent for use in this experiment. Protein spheres were formed as described in Example 2. Two concentrations of stock sodium bisulfite (0.05 and 0.1M) were used (5 .mu.L added per mL of sphere suspension). Thereafter at the indicated times, 1.5 mL of N.S. was added to evaluate the effect of various incubation times on sphere stability. The results are provided in Table IV.

TABLE IV______________________________________Interaction Times to Stabilize Protein Spheres FINAL CONCENTRATION OF AGENTINTERACTION 500 .mu.M 1000 .mu.MAGENT TIME (hr) Time for solution to clarify______________________________________Sodium 0.17 <1 min 1 minBisulfite 0.33 1 min 3 min 0.50 5 min 1 hr 1.00 2 hr Turbid overnight 2 to 6 Turbid overnight Turbid overnight______________________________________

As can be seen from the results in Table IV, stability was not obtained with interaction time less than approximately 10 minutes. Additionally, a higher concentration of stabilizing agent is more effective in stabilizing spheres within a shorter time of interaction. In general, incubation of at least two hours will be needed. This shows that the stabilization process is a gradual one, suggesting a physical rearrangement of molecules within or on the surface of the spheres to render the spheres gradually more resistant to resolubilization.

EXAMPLE 5

This example illustrates that premixing a stabilizing agent with HSA solution before the addition of alcohol results in stable spheres.

To each of a series of tubes containing 1.0 mL of HSA solution (15% in normal saline), was added 30 .mu.L of one of the following agents: sodium bisulfite (0.025 to 0.25M), DTT (0.025 to 0.1M), NADP (0.05 to 0.1M), thioctic acid (oxidized, 0.01 to 0.025M) and control solution (normal saline).

Ethanol (70%) was then added dropwise (approximately 1.7 to 1.88 mL) to form turbid suspensions. After 2 hours at room temperature, 5 mL of normal saline was added to see if the turbid suspensions became clear solutions. Only the control tube which had no stabilizing agent added before formation of the spheres reverted to a clear solution within 5 minutes. All other tubes were turbid after more than 2 hours.

Ethanol (70% in water) was added dropwise to a parallel set of tubes containing 1.0 mL of HSA solution (15% in normal saline) to form a turbid suspension, followed by the addition of 30 .mu.L of the above mentioned agents at the above mentioned concentrations. After 2 hours at room temperature, 5 mL of normal saline was added to each tube. Again, only the control tube which had no stabilizing agent added after formation of the spheres reverted to a clear solution within 5 minutes. All other tubes were turbid after more than 2 hours. This result indicates that there is no significant difference between adding the stabilizing agent before or after the formation of the spheres.

To a third parallel set of tubes, 30 .mu.L of the above mentioned agents were added to 1.0 mL of HSA (15%) without addition of alcohol. No turbidity was seen during or after the two hours observed. This result indicates that the agents only stabilized the spheres and did not by themselves cause the formation of spheres.

EXAMPLE 6

This example illustrates that protein particles can be stabilized by a hydrogen-accepting agent in the presence of a hydrogen-donating agent.

We have shown in the above experiments that a hydrogen-accepting (oxidized state) agent such as NADP can stabilize protein particles against resolubilization but that a similar molecule in the reduced state (NADPH) cannot.

Ethanol (70% in water) was added to HSA solution (15%) to produce turbidity. To aliquots of 1.0 mL of protein particle suspension was added 5 .mu.L of the agent(s) (in molar concentrations) listed in Table V. After 2 hours, 5 mL of N.S. was added to each tube and the suspension was examined for turbidity.

TABLE V______________________________________Stabilization of Protein Particles Using Combinations ofHydrogen-Accepting and Hydrogen-Donating AgentsTube NADP NADPH After addition of N.S.______________________________________21 0 0 clear22 0 0.1 clear23 0.1 0 turbid24 0.1 0.10 turbid25 0.1 0.25 turbid26 0.1 0.50 turbid______________________________________

As Table V indicates, a hydrogen-accepting agent (NADP) is effective in stabilizing protein spheres in the presence of a hydrogen-donating agent (NADPH).

EXAMPLE 7

This example illustrates that the addition of chemotherapeutic agents does not interfere with sphere formation or stabilization.

Adriamycin was added to HSA (15%) to result in a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Control HSA was 15% without adriamycin.

Ethanol (70%) was added to the HSA solutions until the solutions became turbid. Thereafter, 10 .mu.L of sodium bisulfite (0.05M to 0.5M) was added per 1.0 mL of suspension. After 2 hours incubation, 5 mL of N.S. was added and the mixtures were examined for resolubilization of the protein spheres.

The results showed that both control spheres and spheres with adriamycin were stable against resolubilization. Incorporation of adriamycin in the spheres did not interfere with the action of the stabilizing agent.

EXAMPLE 8

This example illustrates that enzymes incorporated within the interior or on the surface of the protein particles, are still active after the particles have been stabilized by the addition of a stabilizing agent.

To demonstrate that enzymes trapped within the interior and on the surface of protein particles stabilized with a stabilizing agent can retain their catalytic function, 5 .mu.L of a commercial preparation of peroxidase was added to 1 mL of a HSA solution (15%). Ethanol (70%) was subsequently added to produce protein spheres. Within 5 minutes, 5 .mu.L of sodium bisulfite (0.1M) was added to 1.0 mL of the suspension to stabilize the spheres. After overnight incubation, the spheres were washed three times in normal saline (10 mL each time) without resolubilization.

A solution containing a peroxidase substrate was added to the sphere suspension. A strongly positive reaction (read at 490 nm wavelength) was produced within 5 min. As a control, a portion of the supernatant from the final wash was incubated with the peroxidase substrate. The reaction was negative, indicating that the peroxidase reactivity observed resided with the spheres and not from any residual enzyme in the supernatant.

This experiment did not prove whether all the enzymes were inside the spheres or whether some were exposed on the surface of the particles. However, the addition of a stabilizing agent did not result in substantial loss of enzyme activity.

EXAMPLE 9

This example illustrates that antigenic sites of proteins within the interior and surface of spheres remain unchanged for reaction with the specific antibody even after stabilization of the spheres with a stabilizing agent.

Rabbit IgG was chosen as the antigen A goat anti-rabbit (GAR)IgG (conjugated to peroxidase) was used as the antibody. The protocol in Example 9 was followed except that rabbit IgG was incorporated within the spheres and on their surfaces instead of the peroxidase enzyme.

The rabbit IgG-containing spheres were washed three times in normal saline (10 mL each time), and a diluted aliquot of GAR was added to the sphere suspension. After incubation at 37.degree. C. for 1 hr, unreacted GAR was removed by three additional washes in normal saline (10 mL each). The supernatant of the last wash was checked for any residual GAR activity, which may represent excess GAR, or leakage of GAR complexed with rabbit IgG that resulted from partial resolubilization of the particulates.

The result showed that the spheres, but not the supernatant, had peroxidase activity. This experiment suggested that the spheres may be porous enough for some GAR to penetrate the surface of the spheres to bind to the rabbit IgG inside the spheres. Alternatively, enough rabbit IgG antigenic sites may be exposed on the surface of the spheres to allow enough GAR binding for easy detection.

EXAMPLE 10

This example illustrates that antibodies are still reactive within the interior and surface of the albumin spheres even after stabilization of the spheres by a stabilizing agent.

The protocol of Example 9 was used except that an antibody was incorporated instead of an antigen. As an example of antibody, a commercial source of polyclonal goat anti-human fibrinogen IgG was used. The suspension of antibody-containing spheres (1.0 mL) was incubated overnight with sodium bisulfite (5 .mu.L of a 0.05M solution). The resulting particulates were washed three times with normal saline (10 mL each) without resolubilization. Control spheres were similarly prepared except without any incorporated antibody.

The sphere pellets were then resuspended in a human fibrinogen solution (0.01 mg/mL) for 2 hr at room temperature, after which the spheres were washed again twice to remove excess fibrinogen (the antigen).

For detection of antigen binding, a mouse anti-human fibrinogen (MAH) monoclonal antibody was used to react with the spheres for 2 hours, followed by removal of the MAH by washing twice. Subsequently, a sheep anti-mouse IgG (conjugated to peroxidase) was used to detect the presence of mouse monoclonal antibody-human fibrinogen complex on or within the spheres.

The result showed that the supernatant of the last wash was negative, but the spheres showed positive reactivity indicating that the primary antibody (goat anti-human fibrinogen IgG) was present within or on the surface of the spheres even after multiple washings.

EXAMPLE 11

This example illustrates that enzymes, antigen and antibodies can be added during the stabilization phase to spheres without loss of activity.

The protocol of Examples 8, 9 and 10 for enzyme, antigen and antibody were repeated, respectively, except that spheres were first formed without the respective biological agent. The respective biological agents were added within 30 seconds of the addition of the stabilizing agent. All the subsequent washings and reagents used were identical.

The results again showed that enzymes, antigens and antibodies could be stabilized essentially on the surfaces of the spheres during the stabilization process and maintain their biological functions.

EXAMPLE 12

This example shows that DNA/RNA can be incorporated inside and on the surface of protein spheres before stabilization with a stabilizing agent.

A commercial preparation of calf thymus DNA was added to HSA (15%) to provide a concentration of 5 .mu.g of DNA per mL. Control spheres were formed with HSA without DNA. Ethanol (70%) was added to produce turbidity. The spheres thus formed were stabilized by incubating the mixtures overnight with 5 .mu.L of sodium bisulfite (0.1M) per mL suspension.

The spheres were then washed in normal saline (3.times.10 mL) and digested in trypsin to release any DNA previously incorporated inside or on the surface of spheres. Detection of DNA was performed by the Intvogen DNA DipStick Kit, which showed strong positivity with the trypsin digest of spheres prepared from DNA-containing HSA solutions, but not from control spheres or the supernatants of both experimental and control sphere suspensions.

The experiment was repeated with RNA where all the reagents were also added a RNAase inhibitor. The findings were similar to DNA spheres.

These experiments showed that the spheres can be used as stable carriers for gene therapy for either in vitro or in vivo experiments and therapy.

EXAMPLE 13

This examples illustrates that DNA and RNA can bind to spheres during the stabilizing phase.

The experimental protocol of Example 12 was followed except that protein particles were first formed by addition of ethanol (70%) to 1.0 mL of HSA (15%) in the absence of DNA or RNA (with RNAase inhibitor). Within 0.5 rain of addition of the stabilizing agent (sodium bisulfite 0.1M), 5 .mu.L of a suspension of DNA or RNA was added to the protein spheres to result in a final concentration of 5 .mu.g DNA/RNA per mL of protein suspension.

After digestion of the spheres with trypsin, the protein solution was checked for the presence of liberated DNA or RNA. Only spheres which had DNA or RNA added at the stabilization phase showed strong positivity. Control spheres or the supernatant of the last wash from either the experimental spheres or control spheres gave negative results when tested for the presence of DNA or RNA.

EXAMPLE 14

Additional agents representative of different chemical groups were used to determine their ability to stabilize spheres formed by adding 70% ethanol to a 15% HSA solution. 20 microliters of a 1M or 1 mM solution of the potential stabilizing agent was added to 2 mL of sphere suspensions. Only two final concentrations (10 mM and 10 micromolar) of the agents in the sphere suspensions were studied initially for screening purposes. After two hours of incubation, 5 mL of normal saline was added to 2 mL of sphere suspension. A change from turbidity back to a clear solution indicated that the spheres were not stabilized by either concentration of the agents used. If turbidity remained after 30 minutes, a wider concentration of effective agents was added to sphere suspensions to determine the minimal final concentration that could stabilize the spheres. The agents were as follows:

Anions: ammonium chloride ammonium nitrate ammonium sulfate ammonium phosphate, monobasic and dibasic potassium iodide potassium acetate potassium bicarbonate molybdic acid, sodium salt Cations: cobalt chloride cupric chloride magnesium chloride manganese chloride ferric nitrate Vitamins: cyanobalamin (B.sub.12) ergocalcifero (D.sub.2) Acids: folinic acid .delta.-aminolevulinic acid boric acid cholic acid Amino acids: D,L-phenylalanine poly-L-lysine, MW 114,700 and MW 430,500 Carbohydrates: 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranose Antibiotics: penicillin, sodium salt gentamycin chloramphenicol N-acetyl compounds: N-acetylneuraminic acid w-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose Amines: ethanolamine Others: choline bitartrae cephalothin glycerol heparin chear germ agglutinin (lectin) D-sorbitol laminin dimethyl sulfoxide Results: All of the agents except the following were ineffective in stabilizing spheres either at the final concentration of 10 mM or 10 micromolar: TABLE VI______________________________________ Minimal FinalEffective Agents Concentration (mM)______________________________________magnesium chloride 5 mMmanganese chloride 0.5 mM.gamma.-aminolevulinic acid 0.002 mMgentamycin 0.05 mg/mLpoly-L-lysine, MW 147,000 0.1 mg/mLpoly-L-lysine, MW 430,500 0.1 mg/mLN-acetylneuraminic acid 0.5 mg/mLdimethyl sulfoxide 1/100 dilution______________________________________ Samples of suspensions were examined under the microscope and found to consist of monodispersed spheres with no aggregates seen.

EXAMPLE 15

Interaction of Na Bisulfite with 15% HSA Before Adding Alcohol to Form Spheres

I. Rationale

Previous examples show that Na bisulfite stabilizes the microspheres. In this study, the HSA solution was pre-incubated with Na bisulfite for different time spans before adding alcohol, and examines the effect on the stability of the resulting spheres.

II. Procedure

1. Incubate 1 mL of 15% HSA with 25 .mu.L of 0.1 or 0.05M Na bisulfite for 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively, before adding 70% ethanol to form spheres.

2. 1 and 60 minutes after forming spheres, add 3.times. volume (7.5 mL) of normal saline and shake well.

3. Record the time needed to dissolve the spheres.

III. Results

The times needed to redissolve the spheres was as follows.

TABLE VII______________________________________ Adding normal saline Adding normal saline 1 minute 60 minutes afterIncubation after forming spheres forming spheresTime 0.05M 0.1M 0.05M 0.1M(minutes) NaHSO.sub.3 NaHSO.sub.3 NaHSO.sub.3 NaHSO.sub.3______________________________________ 5 immediately immediately 2 hours more than 8 hours10 immediately immediately 2.5 hours more than 8 hours20 immediately immediately 2.5 hours more than 8 hours30 immediately immediately 2.5 hours more than 8 hours60 immediately immediately 2.5 hours more than 8 hours120 immediately immediately 2 hours more than 8 hoursControl (no immediately immediatelyNaHSO.sub.4)______________________________________ IV. Discussion

1. The data show that pre-incubation of Na bisulfite in a solution of HSA for up to two hours did not improve the stability of the spheres if challenged within one minute of formation of spheres. In contrast, the incubation time of the spheres with Na bisulfite made a difference.

2. One minute of interaction of this agent with spheres is not sufficient for stabilization. However, if normal saline was added after 2 hours of incubation, the spheres were stable against resolubilization.

3. A final concentration of 2.4 millimolar Na bisulfite is more effective than a final concentration of 1.2 millimolar in promoting the stability of the spheres.

EXAMPLE 16

Pre-mixing Na Bisulfite with Ethanol Before Making Spheres

I. Purpose

To study the possibility of premixing Na bisulfite with ethanol before making the spheres and to study the stability of these spheres.

II. Procedure

1. Make 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.1, 0.05, 0.025, 0.0125, 0.00625, 0.003125, 0.0015625, 0.00078125, and 0.000390625M Na bisulfite solutions in 70% ethanol.

2. Add the Na bisulfite containing alcohol solutions to 1 mL of 15% HSA to make spheres. Monitor the amount of alcohol solution needed.

3. Incubate for 2 hours.

4. Check the appearance of the sphere suspensions grossly and microscopically.

5. Add 3.times. volume of normal saline, mix well, and check the stability of the spheres.

III. Result

1. The Na bisulfite did not dissolve in 70% ethanol well. The highest concentration obtainable was 0.05M solution.

2. The amount of alcohol needed to make spheres remained the same as with pure 70% ethanol, regardless of the concentration of Na bisulfite. It took about 1.5 mL of alcohol/Na bisulfite solution per 1 mL of 15% HSA to make spheres.

3. Appearance after incubating for 2 hours was as follows:

TABLE VIII______________________________________NaHSO.sub.4 Concentration Appearance After 2(.mu.M) Hours After AddingIn Ethanol In Suspension Gross Microscopic Normal Saline______________________________________50,000 30,000 gelatinous aggregates precipitation25,000 15,000 gelatinous aggregates precipitation12,500 7,500 gelatinous aggregates precipitation6,250 3,750 turbid 5+ aggregates turbid 4+3,125 1,875 turbid 5+ aggregates turbid 4+1,562 937 turbid 5+ aggregates turbid 4+781 468 turbid 5+ aggregates turbid 3+390 234 turbid 5+ aggregates turbid 2+195 117 turbid 4+ no aggregate turbid 2+98 58 turbid 4+ no aggregate turbid 1+48 29 turbid 3+ no aggregate turbid 1+24 14 turbid 2+ no aggregate dissolved0 0 turbid 3+ individual dissolved spheres______________________________________ IV. Discussion

These results show that the spheres can be stabilized by premixing the ethanol with the reducing agent, i.e., Na bisulfite. The optimal concentrations are between approximately 29 and 117 micromolars in the suspension.

EXAMPLE 17

Ability of Spheres Stabilized by Na Bisulfite to Bind Fibrinogen

This example shows that protein molecules other than albumin (e.g., fibrinogen) can be bound on the surface of the spheres in the presence of a stabilizing agent and that there is an optimal time for the addition of these surface molecules after the formation of the spheres.

Occasionally it is necessary to bind large quantities of certain biological molecules (such as fibrinogen) on the surface of spheres (to serve as platelet substitutes), but such biological molecules may have limited solubility in its preparative medium. Therefore, a large volume of the biological solution (at the highest possible concentration) will have to be mixed with the spheres soon after their formation. Mixing in a large volume of such non-alcohol containing solution to a particularly stabilized sphere suspension may redissolve some of the spheres. However, if the biologically active molecule solution is added after the spheres were completely stabilized by the stabilizing agent may result in unstable or insufficient binding of the biologically active molecule on a per sphere basis. This experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of binding fibrinogen using three different methods of stabilizing the spheres.

I. Procedure

1. Make spheres by adding Na bisulfite in one of the following methods:

a. to 15% HSA before adding 70% ethanol; b. to 70% ethanol before adding 15% HSA; or c. within 1 minute after forming the spheres by adding 70% ethanol to 15% HSA,

2. The final Na bisulfite concentration in all three methods will be about 1 mM.

3. Add 0.5.times. volume of 0.5 mg/mL fibrinogen 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the spheres are formed per 1.0 volume of sphere suspension.

4. Compare the amount of fibrinogen bound per billion spheres, by using a special ELISA method for measuring fibrinogen content.

II. Results TABLE IX______________________________________ Concentration of Spheres (.times. 10.sup.-9 /mL of Suspension) Prepared by Adding NaHSO.sub.4Time of Adding After FormingFibrinogen (minutes) in HSA in Ethanol Spheres______________________________________10 (All spheres dissolved after adding fibrinogen.)30 (Part of the spheres dissolved after adding fibrinogen. All spheres then dissolved during the washing process.)60 4.399 4.164 2.485 4.277 4.175 2.388120 3.945 5.842 3.474 3.876 5.802 3.474______________________________________ TABLE X______________________________________ Mean Diameter (.mu.m) of Spheres Prepared by Adding NaHSO.sub.4Time of Adding After FormingFibrinogen (minutes) in HSA in Ethanol Spheres______________________________________ 60 1.018 1.078 1.191 1.018 1.081 1.195120 1.278 1.260 1.193 1.282 1.261 1.193______________________________________ TABLE XI______________________________________ Fibrinogen Bound (mg/l .times. 10.sup.-9 Spheres) in Spheres Prepared by Adding NaHSO.sub.4Time of Adding After FormingFibrinogen (minutes) in HSA in Ethanol Spheres______________________________________ 60 0.078 0.080 0.106120 0.085 0.023 0.116______________________________________ IV. Discussion

1. The spheres had to be incubated in the stabilizing agent for more than 30 minutes to stabilize the spheres.

2. All three different methods of adding stabilizing agent could bind fibrinogen onto the spheres.

3. When the stabilizing agent was premixed in HSA before adding alcohol to form spheres, the timing of adding fibrinogen had no effect on the amount of fibrinogen bound.

4. When the stabilizing agent was pre-mixed in the alcohol before mixing with HSA solution to form spheres, the ability of the spheres to bind fibrinogen diminished with time.

5. When the stabilizing agent was added after the spheres were formed, the timing of adding fibrinogen had no effect on the amount of fibrinogen binded per sphere.

6. In terms of fibrinogen/sphere, adding the stabilizing agent after the spheres were formed resulted in more fibrinogen bound per billion spheres than the other two methods.

For albumin-based particles, additional substances serving a therapeutic or diagnostic function, or both, can be entrapped within the particle bulk and carried by the particles to a site for in vivo administration. Examples of classes of such substances are enzymes, amino acids, peptides, nucleic acids, contrast agents and nonmacromolecular therapeutic drugs. A contrast agent of particular interest is technetium. The incorporation of these additional substances is conveniently achieved by combining them with the protein solutions from which the proteins are precipitated to form the particles.

Additional substances can also be attached non-covalently to the exterior surfaces of the particles. Examples of substances which are useful when adhered to the particles in this manner are proteins, immunoglobulins and nucleic acids, as well as molecular species in general which exhibit specific binding to biological molecules such as cell surface receptors. Specific examples of particular interest are fibrinogen and peptides which contain reactive sequences of fibrinogen, such as aspartine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD). Adherence of these substances to the particle surfaces is conveniently achieved by contacting the substances with the particles soon after the particles are formed.

The following is a list of examples of specific substances which can be incorporated into the composition of particles of the present invention.

1. Protein A 2. Concanavalin A 3. IgG 4. hemagglutinin 5. transfer fin 6. von-Willebrand factor 7. anti-human factor IX monoclonal antibody 8. anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody 9. goat anti-clathrin 10. fibronectin 11. human fibroblast growth factor-acidic, recombinant 12. human interleukin-2, recombinant 13. anti-human platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor 14. anti-beta-lipoprotein 15. alpha 2-macroglobulin 16. streptokinase 17. anti-progesterone antibody 18. anti-leukotriene B4 antibody 19. CGGRGDF-NH.sub.2 20. doxorubicin 21. daunarubicin 22. EDTA-conjugated to HSA 23. DTPA-conjugated to HSA 24. technetium 25. gadolinium 26. HSA conjugated to FITC (Fluorescein Isothiocyanate) 27. HSA conjugated to TRITC (Tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate) 28. HSA conjugated to PE (Phycoerythrin) 29. HSA conjugated to Ferritin 30. HSA conjugated to biotin 31. alkaline phosphatase 32. peroxidase 33. amphotericin B 34. Adjuvant peptide (N-acetylmuramyl-1-alanyl-d-isoglutamine) 35. HIV-1 protease substrate (acetyl-ser-gln-asn-tyr-pro-val-val-amide) 36. Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 magnetite or magnetic particles 37. cysteine-cyclohexanol conjugate 38. HIV-glycoprotein 120 39. anti-CD4 antibody 40. fibrinogen

Albumin-based particles containing Tc99m either in their bulk or on their surfaces are illustrative of the use of these particles as vehicles for specific agents. The incorporation or attachment of Tc99m can be achieved through direct covalent bonding or through a chelating agent. Examples of chelating agents are cysteine-cyclohexanol conjugate and DTPA.

The chelating agent may be pre-bonded to soluble HSA molecules which are then mixed with other HSA molecules during the formation of the original aqueous protein solution. Alternatively, chelating agents may be covalently bonded directly to preformed particles. A third alternative is to add the chelating agent as one of the biological molecules, not covalently bound to any HSA molecules. The chelating agent will then be trapped within the particles or near their surfaces when the particles are formed.

The procedure of binding the Tc99m to the particles, with or without chelating agents, can follow standard nuclear medicine procedures. For example, stannous chloride or other reducing agents (0.01 to 0.3 mg) can be added to approximately 1 mg of particles suspended in a suitable buffer to reduce the sulhydryl groups in the protein molecules. Sodium pertechnetate Tc99m (5 to 250 millicurie) is then added to the suspension. The excess reducing agent reduces the pertechnetate (TcO.sub.4.sup.-) to TcO.sub.2.sup.-, which then binds to the sulhydryl group on the protein molecules, or to the sites on the chelating agents designed to bind the TcO.sub.2.sup.-. It is expected that more Tc99m binds to particles through chelating agents than without chelating agents.

Alternatively, stannous chloride and lyophilized particles could be stored as a dry powder in the absence of oxidizing agents, to be reconstituted as a suspension by the addition of Tc99m solutions.

The presence of chelating agents has the additional advantage of possibly stabilizing the TcO.sub.2.sup.- before it binds to the protein molecules.

An alternative method would be to allow pertechnetate Tc99m to be reduced by a reducing agent in the presence of a free chelating agent, i.e., one which is not yet associated with the particles, then binding the Tc99m-chelating agent conjugate to the particles.

The particles may alternatively be reduced by a different reducing agent after which they can be purified and stored as a reduced dry (lyophilized) powder, while the pertechnetate would be reduced by a different kind of reducing agent immediately before interaction with the already reduced particles. Due to the short half life of Tc99m, the product which results from the mixing of the pertechnetate-containing liquid with the particle suspension or powder should be ready for injection into a patient within much less than one hour and without the need for other purification. Examples of reducing agents are dithiothreitol, dithioerythritol, ascorbic acid, 2-mercaptoethanol, and pyrophosphate. In addition, the reduced TcO.sub.2.sup.- may first be stabilized by an intermediate product involving D-glucarate.

A wide variety of bioactive molecules can be incorporated within the interior, on the surface, or near the surface of the particles. Combinations of one or more compounds can also be incorporated into a single particle.

Examples of biologically active molecules that can be incorporated include, but are not limited to: drugs, biologically active peptides, polypeptides, carbohydrates, lipids, lipoproteins, glycoproteins, enzymes, ligands, receptors, radioactive compounds, fluorescent or excitable compounds, imaging materials, oxygen-carrying materials, toxins, anti-toxins, neurologically active materials, chemotherapeutic agents, chelating compounds, nucleotides, nucleoside, nucleic acids, polynucleotides, antibiotics, magnetic materials, and nutrients. Further examples are subunits or fragments of these molecules, as well as analogs of the molecules, their competitors, inhibitors, and antagonists, antibodies against them, antibodies against antibodies against them, receptors to which they will bind, anti-sense entities (whether in the form of RNA, DNA or even protein forms), and the genes from whose information they are derived.

The following are examples of biologically active molecules which can be incorporated in the manner described above.

Lipids: methanoic, ethanoic, propanoic, butanoic, pentanoic, hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic, tridecanoic, tetradecanoic, pentadecanoic, hexadec. anoic, heptadecanoic, octadecanoic, nonadecanoic, eicosanoic, heneicosanoic, docosanoic, tricosanoic, tetracosanoic, pentacosanoic, heXacosanoic, heptacosanoic, octacosanoic, nonacosanoic, triacontanoic, hentriacontanoic, 10-undecenoic, cis-9-tetradecenoic, trans-9-tetradecenoic, cis-10-pentadecenoic, cis-9-hexadecenoic, trans-9-hexadecenoic, cis-10-heptadecenoic, cis-6-octadecenoic, trans-6-octadecenoic, cis-7-octadecenoic, cis-9-octadecenoic, trans-9-octadecenoic, cis-11-octadecenoic, trans-11-octadenenoic, cis-12-octadecenoic, cis-13-octadecenoic, cis-12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic, trans-12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic, cis-9,12-octadecadienoic, trans9,12-octadecadienoic, 9,11(10,12)-octadecadienoic, cis-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic, cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic, cis-6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic, cis-10-nonadecenoic, cis-5-eicosenoic, cis-8-eicosenoic, cis-11-eicosenoic, cis-13-eicosenoic, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic, cis-5,8,11-eicosatrienoic, 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic, cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic, cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic, cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic, cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic, cis-13-docosenoic, trans-13-docosenoic, cis-13,16-docosadienoic, cis-13,16,19-docosatrienoic, cis-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic, cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic, cis-15-tetracosenoic acids. Lectins: Abrus precatorius (Agglutinin, Abrin A toxin, Abrin C toxin), Agaricus bisporus, Anguilla anguilla, Arachis hypogaea, Bandeiraea simplicifolla (BS-I, BS-I-B4, BS-I-AB3, BS-I-A2B2, BS-I-A3B, BS-I-A4, BS-II), Bauhinia purpurea, Caragana arborescens, Cicer arietinum, Codium fragile, Concanavalin A, Succinyl-Concanavalin A, Datura stramonium, Dolichos biflorus, Erythrina corallodendron, Erythrina cristagalli, Euonymus europaeus, Glycine max, Helix aspersa, Helix pomatia, Lathyrus odoratus, Lens culinaris, Limulus polyphemus (Bacterial agglutinin), Lycopersicon esculentum, Maclura pomifera, Momordica charantia, Mycoplasma gaillsepticum, Naja mocambique mocambique, Naja naja kaouthia, Perseau americana, Phaseolus coccineus, Phaseolus limensis, Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA-E, PHA-L), Phytolacca americana, Pisum sativum, Pseudmonas aeruginosa PA-I, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Ptilota plumosa, Ricinus communis (Toxin, RCA60, Toxin, RCA120), Robinia pseudoacacia, Sambucus nigra, Solanum tuberosum, Sophora japonica, Tetragonolobus purpureas, Triticum vulgaris, Ulex europaeus (UEAI, UEAII), Vicia faba, Vicia sativa, Vicia villosa (A4, B4), Vigna radiata, Viscum album, Wisteria floribunda. Complement proteins, either as single proteins or as combinations of several proteins: C1q, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, Properdin factor B. Spin labels and spin traps: Doxyl Nitroxides, e.g., 3-beta-doxyl-5-alpha-cholestane; Proxyl Nitroxides, e.g., 3-(4-nitrophenoxycarbonyl)-proxyl; Tempo Nitroxides, e.g., Tempo; DL-t-Butyl Nitroxide; Spin traps: Nitrosobenzene, Nitrosadisulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-Nitroso-Propane. Arachidonic acid cascade and related compounds: HETEs: 5(S)-HETE�5(S)-hydroxy-6-trans-8-cis-11-cis-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 11(S)-HETE�11(S)-hydroxy-5-cis-8-cis-12-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 12(R)-HETE�12(R)-hydroxy-5-cis-8-cis-10-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 12(S)-HETE�12(S)-hydroxy-5-cis-8-cis-10-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 15(S)-HETE�15(S)-hydroxy-5-cis-8-cis-11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid!; HPETEs: 5(S)-HPETE �5(S)-hydroperoxy-6-trans-8-cis-11-cis-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 12(S)-HPETE�12(S)-hydroperoxy-5-cis-8-cis-10-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 15(S)-HPETE �15(S)-hydroperoxy-5-cis-8-cis-11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid!; DiHETEs: 5(S),6(R)-DiHETE�5(S),6(R)-dihydroxy-7-trans-9-trans-11-cis-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 5(S), 12(S)-DiHETE�5(S), 12(S)-dihydroxy-6-trans-8-cis-10trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid!; 5(S), 15(S)-DiHETE�5(S), 15(S)-dihydroxy-6-trans-8-cis-11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid!; Other arachidonic acid cascade related compounds: 13-Azaprostanoic acid; Baicalein; 7-7-dimethyleicosadienoic acid; 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid; 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid; oleoyloxyethyl Phosphocholine; sodium furegrelate; w-3 fatty acids; leukotrienes (LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4); lipoxin (A4, B4), Prostaglandins (A2, B2, D2, E1, E2, F2.alpha., I2, G2, H2); 16-16-Dimethyl-prostaglandin E2; 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1.alpha.; 2,3-Dinor 6-keto-prostaglandin F1.alpha.; 9,11-Dideoxy-9.alpha.,11.alpha.-methanoepoxyprostaglandin-F2.alpha.; Carbacyclin; Thromboxanes (CTA2, B2, A2); p-Arbutin; H-Arg-gly-Asp-OH; H-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ser-Ser-Lys-Pro-OH; Ascorbate oxidase; ascorbic acid; asparagine; aspartic acid; arachidonic acid Ion channel modulators: Amiloride, Baicalein, BAY K 8644, Bepridil, Brevetoxin (PbTx-1, PbTx-2, PbTx3, PbTx-7, PbTx-9), w-Conotoxin GVIA, Conus geographus, Diltiazem, Methoxyverapamil, Nifedipine, Ryanodine, 9,21,-Dehydro-Ryanodine, Saxitoxin, Tetrodotoxin, TMB-8, Toxin II, Verapamil. Biologically active peptides: 4-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)-N-acetylmuramyl-L-Ala-D-Glu Amide N-Acetyl-Asp-Glu N-Acetyl-Cholecystokinin and its fragments N-Acetyl-Hirudin and its fragments Acetyl-Leu-Leu-Argininal N-Acetyl-Leu-Leu-Methioninal N-Acetyl-Leu-Leu-Norleucinal Acetyl-Met-Asp-Arg-Val-Leu-Ser-Arg-Tyr N-Acetyl-Met-Leu-Phe N-Acetylmuramyl-D-alanyl-D-isoglutamine N-Acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine N-Acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-L-isoglutamine N-Acetylmuramyl-Ala-D-isoglutaminyl-Ne-stearoyl-Lys N-Acetyl-Phe-Nle-Arg-Phe Amide Acetyl-Renin Substrate Tetradecapeptide Acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro Acetyl-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr Acetyl-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Val-Val Amide Acetyl-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val Amide N-Acetyl-Thr-Ile-Nle-Phe(CH.sub.2 NH)-Nle-Gln-Arg Amide ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Adrenal Cyclase Activating Polypeptide-27 Adrenal Medulla Peptides Adrenal Peptide E Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and fragments Adrenorphin Adipokinetic Hormone II Adjuvant Peptide Ala-Arg-Pro-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Phe-Pro-Arg-Met Amide beta-Ala-Arg-Ser-Ala-Pro-Thr-Pro-Met-Ser-Pro-Tyr Ala-D -gamma-Glu-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala Ala-Gly-Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys Ala-Gly-Ser-Glu Ala-D-isoglutaminyl-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala Ala-Leu-Ala-Leu Ala-Leu-Ile-Leu-Thr-Leu-Val-Ser Ala-Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Hyp-Hyp-Thr-Tyr-Lys Ala-Ser-His-Leu-Gly-Leu-Ala-Arg beta-Ala-Ser-His-Leu-Gly-Leu-Ala-Arg Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr D-Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr Amide Aldosterone Secretion Inhibiting Factor Allatotropin Alytesin Amastatin beta-Amyloid and fragments Angiogenin and fragments Angiotensin I and analogs Angiotensin II and analogs Angiotensin III and analogs Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Angiotensinogen and fragments Angiotonin Anorexogenic Peptide Anthranilyl-His-Lys-Ala-Arg-Val-Leu-p-Nitro-Phe-Glu-Ala-Nle-Ser Amide Antide Anti-inflammatory Peptide 1 Antipain Antireproductive Tripeptide Apamin Arg-Arg-Leu-Ile-Glu-Asp-Ala-Glu-Tyr-Ala-Ala-Arg-Gly Arg-Arg-Leu-Ile-Glu-Asp-Asn-Glu-Tyr-Thr-Ala-Arg-Gly Arg-Arg-Lys-Ala-Ser-Gly-Pro Arg-Gly-Asp Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ser-Ser-Lys-Pro Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Tyr-Thr-Pro-Lys-Ala Arg-Gly-Pro -Phe-Pro-Ile Arg-His-Phe Arg-Lys-Arg-Ala-Arg-Lys-Glu Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr Arg-Lys-Glu-Val-Tyr Arg-Phe-Asp-Ser Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met Amide Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg Arg-Ser-Arg-His-Phe Arg-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Thr Arg-Tyr-Val-Val-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Val-Cys-Phe-Glu-Lys-Gly-Met-Asn-Tyr-Thr-Val-Arg Asn-Ala-Gly-Ala Asn-Pro -Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala Asp-Ala-Glu-Asn-Leu-Ile-Asp-Ser-Phe-Gln-Glu-Ile-Val Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu Asp-Leu-Trp-Gin-Lys Asp-Ser-Asp-Pro-Arg Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and fragments Atriopeptins Auriculin Avidin Beauvericin Bestatin Biocytin-Neuropeptide Y Biotin/biotinylated peptides N-t-BOC-beta-Ala-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-beta-Ala-Trp-Met-beta-(Benzyl)Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOCGly-Trp-Met-beta-(benzyl)Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-Glu-Glu-IIe Methyl Ester N-t-BOC-Glu-Glu-Leu Methyl Ester N-t-BOC-Glu-Glu-Val Methyl Ester N-t-BOC-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu Methyl Ester N-t-BOC-Met-Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-Met-Leu-Phe N-t-BOC-Nle-Leu-Phe N-t-BOC-Phe-D-Leu-Phe N-t-BOC-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe N-t-BOC-Trp-Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe Amide N-t-BOC-Trp-Met-Phe Amide Bombesin and analogs Bradykinin and analogs Bradykinin Potentiator (e.g. 5a, 9a, B, C) Brain Natriuretic Peptide Brefeldin A Buccalin Bursin Caerulein Calcitronin Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide beta-Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide fragment 8-37 Calcitonin Precursor Peptide Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (fragment 290-309) Calpain Inhibitor I Calpain Inhibitor II Calpain Inhibitor Peptide Carassin N-Carboxymethyl-Phe-Leu N-(�R,S!-2-Carboxy-3-phenylpropionyl)-L-Leucine Cardioexcitatory Peptide alpha-Casein and fragments Beta-Casomorphin Na-CBZ-Arg-Arg-Pro-Phe-His-Sta-Ile-His-Ne-BOC-Lys Methyl Ester CBZ-Leu-Val-Gly Diazomethyl Ketone N-CBZ-D-Phe-Phe-Gly N-CBZ-Pro-D-Leu N-CBZ-Pro-Leu-Gly Hydroxamate CD4 and fragments Cecropins Cerebellin Chemostactic Peptides Cholecystokinin and fragments Chorionic Gonadotropin and fragments Chromostatin-20 Chymostatin Circumsporozoite (CS) Protein of Plasmodium falciparum repetitive sequences Collagen Conotoxin GI .mu.-conotoxin GIIIB .omega.-conotoxin GVIA .alpha.-conotoxin SI Copper Binding Peptide Corazonin Corticotropin A Corticotropin-Like Intermediate Lobe Peptide Corticotropin Releasing Factor and analogs Tyr-Corticotropin Releasing Factor Corticotropin Releasing Factor Antagonist C-Peptide and fragments Cyclic-AMP Dependent Protein Kinase Substrate Cyclo(7-Aminoheptanoyl-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr�Bzl!) Cyclo(D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu-D-Trp) Cyclohexylacetyl-Phe-Arg-Ser-Val-Gln Amide Cyclo(His-Phe) Cyclo(His-Pro) Cyclo(Leu-Gly) Cyclo(Phe-Ser) Cyclo(Pro-Gly)3 Cyclo(D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Pro-Phe) Cyclo(D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Pro-Tyr) Cys-Gin-Asp-Ser-Glu-Thr-Arg-Thr-Phe-Tyr Cys-Ser-Arg-Ala-Arg-Lys-Gln-Ala-Ala-Ser-Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Val-Ser-Ala-Asp-Arg Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly Amide Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gin-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu Gly Amide Cys-Tyr-Ile-Ser-Asn-Cys-Pro-Ile-Gly Amide DAGO (D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4-Gly5-ol-Enkephalin) Dalargin Decorin Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide Dermenkephalin Dermorphin Diabetes Associated Peptide Amide Diazepam Binding Inhibitor and fragments Diprotin A Diprotin B DNA Binding Peptide Dynorphin and fragments Echistatin Elastatinal Elastin Chemotactic protein and fragment Eledoisin Eledoisin-Related Peptide Endothelin alpha-Endorphin beta-Endorphin and fragments gamma-Endorphin Endothelins Enkephalin, Leucine and analogs Enkephalinamide, Leucine and analogs Enkephalin, Methionine and analogs Enkephalinamide, Methionine and analogs Enzyme Inhibitors Eosinophilotactic Tetrapeptides Epiamastatin Epibestatin Epidermal Growth Factor Epidermal Mitosis Inhibiting Pentapeptide Experimental Allergic Encephalogenic Peptide Erythropoietin fragment 1-26 Fibrinogen-Binding Inhibitor Peptide Fibrinogen Related Peptide Fibrinogen A and analogs Fibrinogen B and analogs Fibroblast Growth Factor, Acidic fragment 1-11 Fibroblast Growth Factor, Basic fragment 1-24 Fibronectin-Binding Protein Peptide D3 Fibronectin fragments and analogs Fibronectin Related Peptide Fibronectin Pepsin (e.g. 50K) Fibronectin Chymotrypsin (e.g. 40K, 45K, 120K) Fibronectin Trypsin (e.g. 30K, 60K) N-FMOC-val-Gly-Gly-O-t-Butyl-Tyr-Gly-O-t-Butyl-Tyr-Gly-Ala-Ne-CBZ-Lys N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe Formyl-Peptides Foroxymithine FTS (Serum Thymic Factor) Galanin Message Associated Peptide and fragments Galanin Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide Gastrin I and fragments Gastrin I, Big Gastrin II Pentagastrin Gastrin Releasing Peptide Gastrin-Tetrapeptide Amide Gastrointestinal Peptides Gilodeliquescin Gin-Ala-Thr-Val-Gly-Asp-Ile-Asn-Thr-Glu-Arg-Pro-Gly-Met-Leu-Asp-Phe-Thr-Gly-Lys Gln-AJa-Thr-Val-Gly-Asp-Val-Asn-Thr-Asp-Arg-Pro-Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys Gln-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Thr-Ile Gln-Lys-Arg-Pro-Ser-Gln-Arg-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu Glu-Ala-Glu Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn Glucagon Glucagon(1-37) Glucagon-Like Peptide I and fragments Glu-Leu-Ala-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Glu-Pro-Ala Glutathione and analogs Gly-Arg-Ala-Asp-Ser-Pro Gly-Arg-Ada-Asp-Ser-Pro-Lys Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Asn-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Lys Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Leu-Ser-Leu-Ser-Arg Gly-Arg-Tyr-Asp-Ser Gly-Gln Gly-Glu-Gln-Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr-Val-Gin-Leu-Tyr-Leu Gly-Gly-Arg Gly-Gly-His Gly-Gly-Tyr-Arg Gly-His-Arg-Pro Gly-His-Lys Gly-Leu-Met Amide Gly-Pen-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys-Ala(Pen2,Cys9 cyclic) Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly Gly-Pro-Arg Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly Granuliberin R Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor GRF 1-40, Human Growth Hormone Release Inhibiting Factor Growth Hormone Releasing Factor and fragments H-142 Helodermin Hepatitis A viral proteins and peptides Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S Region (120-145) Hepatitis C Viral proteins and peptides Herpes Virus Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitors Heterotypic Adhesion Receptor Hirudin and fragments His-Asp-Met-Asn-Lys-Val-Leu-Asp-Leu His-Leu-Gly-Leu-Ala-Arg His-Lys-Ala-Arg-Val-Leu-p-Nitro-Phe-Glu-Ala-Nle-Ser Amide D-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-ph-�CH.sub.2 NH!-Leu-Val-Tyr Histories HIV Envelope Protein (gp41) fragment 579-601 HIV Envelope Protein (gp120) fragments HIV Protease Inhibitor HIV Substrate, III HIV vital protein and peptides Histone H2A fragment 86-120 Hydra Peptide and fragments Hypercalcemia Malignancy Factor -40 Hypertrehalosaemic Neuropeptide Iberiotoxin Ile-Pro-Ile Ile-Val-Pro-Phe-Leu-Gly-Pro-Leu-Leu-Gly Leu-Leu-Thr Amide Immunostimulating Peptides Inhibin, alpha subunit, fragment 1-32 Insulin Chain A, oxidized Insulin Chain B, oxidized Insulin Chain B fragment 22-30 Insulin Chain C Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Insulin-Like Growth Factor II Integrin (e.g. alpha 4, alpha V beta 5 alpha2, alpha3, alpha 5, alpha V, beta 1, beta 2, beta 4) Interleukin 1B fragment (163-171) Interleukin-2 Receptor C-Terminal Sequence Interleukin (e.g. 1 alpha, 2, 6, gamma) Isotocin Kallidin Kallikrein Inhibitor Kassinin Katacalcin and analogs Kemptide and analogs Kentsin Kinetensin Kyotorphin and analogs Laminin and fragments (929-933) Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Hse-Leu-Gly Leu-Arg-Arg-Trp-Ser-Leu-Gly Leucokinins Leucopyrokinin and fragments Leu-Leu Methyl Ester Leu-Lys-Lys-Phe-Asn-Ala-Arg-Arg-Lys-Leu-Lys-Gly-Ala-Ile-Leu-Thr-Met-Leu-Ala Leu-Pro-Pro-Ser-Arg Leu-Ser-(pNO2)-Phe-Nle-Ala-Leu Methyl Ester Leupeptin LH-RH (Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone) and analogs beta-Lipotropin and fragments Litorin Lys-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg Lys-Ala-Arg-Val-Nle-p-Nitro-Phe-Glu-Ala-Nle Amide Lys-Arg-Thr-Leu-Arg-Arg Lys-Cys-Thr-Cys-Cys-Ala Lys-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu Lys-His-Gly Amide Lys-Lys-Arg-Ala-Ala-Arg-Ala-Thr-Ser-Amide Lys-Lys-Asp-Ser-Gly-Pro-Tyr Lys-Lys-Gly-Glu Lys-Phe-Ile-Gly-Leu-Met Amide Lys-Pro-Pro-Thr-Pro-Pro-Pro-Glu-Pro-Glu-Thr Lys-Trp-Lys D-Lys-Tyr-D-Trp-D-Trp-Phe D-Magainin II Amide Magainin I Magainin II Manning Compound Manning-Binding Protein Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide HR1 Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide HR2 Mastoparan Alpha1-Mating Factor MCD Peptide MB-35 Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and analogs Beta-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Delta-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Melittin Merosin Met-Asn-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Phe-Pro-Arg-Met Amide Met-Gln-Met-Lys-Lys-Val-Leu-Asp-Ser Met-Gly-Trp-Asn-Ser-Thr-Thr-Phe-His-Gin-Thr-Leu-Gln-Asp-Pro-Arg-Val-Arg-Gly-Leu-Tyr-Phe-Pro-Ala-Gly-Gly Met-Leu-Phe Metorphamide Molluscan Cardioexcitatory Peptide Morphiceptin Morphine Modulating Neuropeptide Morphine Tolerance Peptide Motilin MSH Muramyl Dipeptides Beta-Naphthyl-D-Ala-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr Amide coendorphin Beta-Neoendorphin Alpha-Neurokinin (Ala5, Beta-Ala8)-alpha-Neurokinin fragment 4-10 Neurokinin (e.g., A, Nle-10, B, MePhe7-B) Neuromedins (e.g., B,C) Neuropeptide K Neuropeptide Y Neurotensin and analogs N-Nicotinoyl-Tyr-(Nalpha-CBZ-Arg)-Lys-His-Pro-Ile Nle-Arg-Phe Amide Nle-Sta-Ala-Sta NeutrAvidin Octadecaneuropeptide (e.g. 6, 7, 8) Osteocalcin fragment 7-19 Osteocalcin fragment 45-49 Oxyntomodulin Oxytocin and analogs PACAP27 Amide Pancreastatin and fragments Pancreatic Polypeptide Parathyroid Hormone and fragments Pardaxin Pentagastrin Pepstatin A Peptide II of T, wagleri Venom Peptide T Peptide YY pGlu-Ala-Glu pGlu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Glu-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn pGlu-Asn-Gly pGlu-Asp-Pro-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe Amide pGlu-Gln-Arg-Leu-Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-AJa-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met Amide pGlu-Gln-Asp-Tyr(SO3H)-Thr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe Amide pGlu-Glu-Asp-Ser-Gly pGlu-Gly-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Lys-Ile-Pro-Pro pGlu-Gly-Leu-Pro-Pro-Gly-Pro-Pro-Ile-Pro-Pro pGlu-His-Gly pGlu-His-Gly Amide pGlu-His-Pro pGlu-His-Pro Amide pGlu-His-Pro-Gly pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly Amide pGlu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu pGlu-Lys-Arg-Pro-Ser-Gln-Arg-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu pGlu-3-Methyl-His-Pro Amide (pGlu4)-Myelin Basic Protein 4-14 pGlu-Ser-Leu-Arg-Trp Amide pGlu-Thr-Ser-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu Amide pGlu-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro pGlu-Val-Asn-Phe-Ser-Pro-Gly-Trp-Gly-Thr Amide Paracelsin Peptide 6a �D-Ala1!-peptide T amide Phe-Gly-Gly-Phe Phe-Gly-Leu-Met Amide Phe-Gly-Phe-Gly Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe Amide Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Ile Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Val Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe Amide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe Amide Phe-Met-Arg-D-Phe Amide Phe-Met-D-Arg-Phe Anude Phe-D-Met-Arg-Phe Amide D-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe Amide Phe-Ser-Trp-Gly-Ala-Glu-Gly-Gln-Arg PHI Phosphoramidon Phosphate Acceptor Peptides (Val6, Ala7)-Kemptide Physalaemin Platelet Derived Growth Factor (AB-chain, heterodimer, AA homodimer, BB homodimer) Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIB Peptide Pre-Pro-Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone fragment 14-26 Pressinoic Acid N-proCalcitonin 1-57 Proctolin Prodynorphin 228-240 Proenkephalin Pro-His-Pro-Phe-His-Phe-Phe-Val-Tyr-Lys Pro-Leu-Gly Amide Pro-Phe-Gly-Lys Pro-Leu-Ser-Arg-Thr-Leu-Ser-Val-Ala-Ala-Lys-Lys Prosomatostatin 1-32 PYY Protected Marine Adhesive Peptide Protein A Protein G (binds to Fc region, specially of IgG1 subclass) Protein Kinase C Protein Kinase C Substrate Protein Kinase Inhibitor Pro-Thr-Pro-Ser Amide PTH PTH-Related Protein (1-40) Ranatensin Renin Inhibitors Renin Substrate Tetradecapeptide N-(alpha-Rhamnopyranosyloxyhydroxyphosphinyl)-Leu-Trp Sarafotoxin Schizophrenia Related Peptide Secretin Senktide Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Gly Ser-Gln-Asn-Phe-Phi(CH.sub.2 N)-Pro-Ile-Val-Gln Ser-Gin-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val Ser-Ile-Gly-Ser-Leu-Ala-Lys Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-Asn-Pro-Asn-Asp-Lys-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Phe Serglycin Serum Thymic Factor and analogs Sexual Agglutination Peptide Sleep Inducing Peptide Small Cardioactive Peptide B Somatostatin and analogs Speract Streptavidin Streptolysin Substance P and analogs SV40 Tumor Antigen C-Terminal Sequence Syndyphalin Syntide Tenascin Terlipressin Thapsigargin DL-Thiorphan Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg Thrombin Receptor Activator Thr-Phe-Gln-Ala-Tyr-Pro-Leu-Arg-Glu-Ala Thr-Pro-Arg-Lys Thr-Ser-Lys Thr-Thr-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Phe-Ile-Ala-Ser-Gly-Arg-Thr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Asn-Ala-Ile-His-Asp Thr-Tyr-Ser Thr-Val-Leu Thrombospondin Thymopoietin fragments Thymosin Thymosin fragments Thyrocalcitonin Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone and Related Peptides Tocinoic Acid Toxin, Snake TP-5 Transforming Growth Factor-Alpha TRH Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe Amide Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Ser-Phe-Ser-Lys-Gly-Glu-Pro-Met-Tyr Trp-Met-Asp-Phe Amide Trp-Nle-Arg-Phe Amide Tuftsin and analogs Tumor Necrosis factor (e.g. alpha) Tyr-Ala-Gly-Ala-Val-Val-Asn-Asp-Leu Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Asp-Val-Val-Gly Amide Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Glu-Val-Val-Gly Amide Tyr-Gly-Ala-Val-Val-Asn-Asp-Leu Tyrosine Protein Kinase Substrate Tyr-D-Ala-Gly Tyr-Gly-Gly Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Met Amide Tyr-Arg Tyr-Gly-Gly Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ile-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Arg-Gly-Aminopentylamide Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Arg-Val Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Arg-Val Amide Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Gly-Leu Tyr-Gly-D-Trp-Phe-D-Phe Amide Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg Tyr-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe Amide Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly Amide Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro Amide Tyr-Pro-Val-Pro Amide Tyr-D-Ser-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr Tyr-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe Amide Tyr-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe Methyl Amide Urodilatin Urotensin I Urotensin II Val-Ala-Ala-Phe Val-Arg-Lys-Arg-Thr-Leu-Arg-Arg-Leu Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu Val-Glu-Pro-Ile-Pro-Tyr Val-Glu-Ser-Ser-Lys Val-Gly-Asp-Glu Val-Gly-Ser-Glu Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly Val-His-Leu-Thr-Pro Val-His-Leu-Thr-Pro-Val-Glu-Lys Val-Ile-His-Asn Valosin Val-Pro-Leu Vasoactive Intestinal contractor Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and analogs Vasopressin and analogs Vasotocin Versican Vitronectin Xenopsin Yeast Alpha-Factor Human serum albumin glycoconjugates: Carboxyethylthioethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-Beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside-HSA Conjugate Carboxyethylthioethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside-HSA Conjugate Carboxyethylthioethyl 2-Acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-(alpha-L-fucopyranosyl))-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside-HSA Conjugate Carboxyethylthioethyl 4-O-alpha-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-HSA Conjugate Carboxyethylthioethyl 4-O-(4-O-(6-O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside-HSA Conjugate Free oligosaccharides and simple derivatives: 2-Acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactopyranose 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-(4-O-Beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucopyranose 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucopyranose 6-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranose 6-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranose 4-O-(6-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose N-Acetyllactosamine Benzyl 2-Acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside Benzyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside Benzyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside Benzyl 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside n-Butyl 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside D-(+)-Cellobiose D-(+)-Cellopentaose D-(+)-Cellotetraose D-(+)-Cellotriose Digalacturonic acid Ethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-(4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside Ethyl 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside 2'-Fucosyllactose 3-Fucosyllactose 4-O-alpha-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-galactopyranose 6-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-galactopyranose 4-O-(4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-Glucopyranose 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-mannopyranose 4-O-(4-O-(6-O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose Lacto-N-tetraose 3-O-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-D-mannopyranose Methyl 4-O-(3-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside Methyl 3-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside Methyl 6-O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside Methyl 3,6-Di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside Methyl 3-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside 4-O-(2-O-Methyl-beta-D-galactopyranosy)-D-glucopyranose Methyl 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside Methyl 2-O-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside Methyl 3-O-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside Methyl 4-O-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside Methyl 6-O-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside n-Propyl 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside Trigalacturonic acid Activated oligosaccharides: Carbomethoxyethylthioethyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside Carbomethoxyethylthioethyl 4-O-(4-O-(6-O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside p-Nitrophenyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-galactopyranoside p-Nitrophenyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(Beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-galactopyranosid p-Nitrophenyl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside p-Nitrophenyl 6-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside p-Nitrophenyl alpha-D-Maltopentaoside Neo-glycolipids: Octadecylthioethyl 4-O-alpha-D-Galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside Octadecylthioethyl 4-O-(4-O-(6-O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside Coagulation proteins and various factors, and their fragments, inhibitors, receptors to which they bind, or genes and information molecules from which they may be derived: Acutase; Agkistrodon contortrix Thrombin-like Enzyme; Ancrod; .alpha.2-Antiplasmin; Antithrombin III; Atroxin; Coagulation Factors; Coagulation factor Inhibitors; Crotalase; Ecarin; Factor I, II, III, IV, V; Factor V Activating Enzyme; Factor VI, VII; VIII; Von-Willebrand Factor; Factor IX; Factor X; Factor X, Activiated (Xa) Factor X Activating Enzyme; Factor XI, XII, XIII; Fibrin; Fibrin/Fibrinogen Degradation products; Fibrinogen; Fibrinolytic proteins; Heparin; Hirudin; Kallikrein; Plasmin; Plasminogen; Plasminogen Lysine Binding Sites; Platelet Factor 4; Platelet Aggregation Reagent; Brain Cephalin; Snake venoms; Streptokinase; Thrombins; Thromboplastin; Thromboplastin with Calcium; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Urokinase Agents and drugs used to treat or prevent HIV infection: Alpha interferon, Interleukin-2, Amphotericin B, Amphotericin B Methyl Est; Ampligen (polyI-polyC; C12U); AS-101 (ammonium trichloro (dioxyethylene-O-O' tellurate); CD8+ lymphycyte proteins; HIV viral proteins, cell receptor anagonists, cell receptor binding proteins; azidothymidine and analogs or conjugates; Azidouridine (including analogs or conjugates); beta interferon; Carbovir; Carrisyn; Colchicine; Colony Stimulating Factors; Compound Q; D4T (2',3'-didehydro-3'-dideoxythymidine); DTC (Imuthiol); Dextran Sulfate; Dideoxycytidine; Dideoxyinosine; DHEA (dehydroepiandro-sterone); Doxorubicin; gamma globulin; HIV-immunogen; Hypericin; tyrosine-glycine dipeptide; tyrosine-glycine-glycine tripeptide; Isoprinosine; Lentinan (beta-(1-3)-glucan); Lipid compounds, e.g. AL-721 or EL-721 and like products; Peptide T; Polio Vaccine proteins; soluble CD4; CD4-linked toxins; Ribavirin; SMS 201-995 (a long-acting analog of somatostatin); Thymic Humoral Factor; Thymopentin; Tumor Necrosis Factor; ketoconazole; fluconazole; Eflornithine; Spiramycin; Ganciclovir (DHPG); Foscarnet; Acyclovir; Vibaradine; Pyrimethamine; sulfadiazine; TMP/SMX; Amikacin; Ansamycin; Ciprofloxacin; Clofazamine; Cycloserine; Imipenum; Ethambutol; Isoniazide; Rifampin; Streptomycin; sulfa based antibiotics; pentamidine; Dapsone/trimethoprim; steroids; Trimetrexate with Leukovorin; Clindamycin; primaquin; Dapasone; Spiramycin; piritrexim Adjuvant peptides: N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine N-acetylmuramyl-D-alanyl-D-isoglutamine N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-L-isoglutamine N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine-6-O-stearoyl N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-beta(1-4)-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine Components of Freund's Complete Adjuvant Components of Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant Dimethyldioctyldecyl Ammonium Bromide Lipoproteins and related enzymes: Apolipoprotein A (I and II), B, CIII, CII, CI, E High Density Lipoprotein Low Density Lipoprotein Very Low Density Lipoprotein Lipoprotein Lipase Lipoteichoic Acid Lipoxidase Diaphorase Lipoxin A4, B4 Lipoxygenase Prostaglandan Synthetase Chelating agents: Iminodiacetic Acid (e.g., dimethyl-ida, paraisopropyl-ida, parabutyl-ida, diisopropyl-ida, diethyl-ida) EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) NTA (Nitriloacetic acid) TPP (Tripolyphosphate Cysteine DEDTC (Diethyldithiocarbamate) Citric acid Tartaric acid Penicillamine EGTA Caged calcium chelators: NITR5, NITR7, DM-nitrophen, NITRS/AM; Ammonium N-nitrosophenyl-hydroxylamine; Ammonium purpurate; alpha-Benzoin oxime; N,N-Bis-(hydroxyethyl)-glycine; 2,3-butane-dione dioxime; Trans-1,2-Diaminocyclo-hexanetetra-acetic acid (CDTA); Diethylene-triaminopenta-acetic acid (DTPA); 4,5-Dihydroxy-benzene-1,3-disulphonic acid; 2,3-Dimercapto-Propanol; Diphenylthio-carbazone; 2,2'-Dipyridyl; 3,6-Disulpho-1,8-dihydroxy-naphthalene; Dithiooxamide; Eriochrome Black T; Ethylene-diamine; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); (Ethylene-dioxy)-diethylenedinitrilo-tetraacetic acid (EGTA); o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime; N-(2'-Hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HIMDA); 8-Hydroxy-quinoline; Hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid; 4-Methyl-1,2-dimercapto-benzene; Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); 5-Nitro-1,10-phenanthroline; 1,10-Phenanthroline; Potassium ethyl xanthate; Salicylic acid; sodium diethyldithio-carbamate; 2-Thenoyl-2-furoylmethane; Thenoyl-trifluoro-acetone; Thiourea; Triethylenetetramine Deferoxamine mesylate Edetate Calcium disodium meso 2,3-dimercapto succinic acid Penicillamine Trientine Chelators specially useful in chelating Tc99m: A thiolactone diaminedithiol bifunctional chelating agent p-carboxyethylphenylglyoxal-di-N-methylthioxemicro-bazone A diamide dimercaptide chelating agent A hydroxy compound (e.g. cyclohexanol) attached to cysteine Bisthio semicarbazones Cyclan Diamido dithio ligands Radionuclides: Indium 111 Thallium 201 Technetium 99m Other compounds and chelates suitable for MRI imaging: Gadolinium, Cadmium, Strontium, Chromium; ferrous gluconate; manganese; nickel, piperidine and pyrrolidine NSFR derivatives, ferric ammonium citrate Reagents that can be used to provide spacer arms for bioreactive molecules to extend beyond the immediate surface of the particles: Biocytin Biocytin hydrazide p-Aminobenzoyl Biocytin Enzymes: Alteplase; Anistreplase; Adenosine Deaminase; Amylase; Angiotensin I, II, III; Calmodulin; Carboxypeptidase; Catalase; Cellulase; Cholesterol oxidase; Cholinesterase; Chymotrypsin; Collagenase; Complement cascade proteins; Creatine phosphokinase; Deoxyribonuclease I, II; Dipeptidyl peptidase; DNA polymerase; Endoproteinase; Endonucleases; Esterases; beta-Galacatosidase; Galactose oxidase; Galactose dehydrogenase; Glucose dehydrogenase; Glucose oxidase; Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; Glucuronidase/Aryl sulfatase; Glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase; Glutamate-pyruvate transaminase; Glutathione reductase; Glutathione peroxidase; Glycopeptidase; Hementin; Hemoglobin; Hexokinase; Hyaluronidase; Lactate dehydrogenase; Lactoperoxidase; Lactamase; Lipase; Myokinase; Neuraminidase; Nicotinamide-adenine Dinucleotide kinase; Nicotinamide-adenine Dinucleotide oxidase; Nuclease; Nucleosidase; Papain; Peroxidase; Phenylalanine dehydrogenase; phosphatase (acid or alkaline); Phosphodiesterase; Phospholipase (A2, C, D); Plasmin; Proteases; Protein Kinase C; Proteinase K; Renin; Reverse transcriptase; Ribonuclease (A, T1, T2, U2); RNA polymerase; Sialytransferase; Streptokinase; Subtilisin A; Superoxide dismutase; Terminal transferase; Urease; Urokinase Nucleotides and fragments thereof: anti-sense (DNA or RNA against RNA or DNA, single or double stranded), cloning vectors, coliphage DNA, lambda phage DNA, M13 DNA, Adenovirus DNA, phi-X 174 phage DNA, Simian virus DNA, cytomegalovirus DNA, Epstein-Barr Virus genes, Herpes Simplex genes, ribosomal RNA, human DNA and RNA; Genes coding for ribozymes; genes coding for antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cycloserine, gentamycin, kanamycin, kasugamycin, nalidixic acid, rifampicin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, tetracycline) Platelet related proteins and enzymes: Platelet factor 4; 1-3-Dioxolane; 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glucero-3-phospho-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-hexanolamine; Platelet activating factors (e.g., 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 3-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-1-phosphocholine; 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 1-O-hexadecyl-2-N-methylcarbamyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 1-O-hexadecyl-2-thioacetyl-2-deoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(N-methylpyrrolidino)-ethanolamine); Platelet activating factor 18; 18:1; Lyso-platelet activating factor 18; platelet activating factor-16; Enantic-platelet activating factor-16; Lyso-platelet activating factor-16; trans-2,5-bis-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl); 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(N,N,N-trimethyl)-hexanolamine. Other compounds: Protein A,B,C,G,S; Ricin A; Proadifen (SKF-525A)1 Taxol; Thiolytes; Thiostrepton; Thrombin Thrombocytin; beta-Thromboglobulin; Thrombospondin; Transferrin (apo-, partial iron, holo); Tumor Necrosis factor; Vitronectin, Forskolin, Integrins; caged compounds (caged ATP, caged INsP3, caged cAMP, caged cGMP, caged GTP, caged carbamoyl chorine); Mezerein; Plasminogen; Aminocaproic acid; desmopressin acetate; Activase RGD-containing peptides: Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Ser-Pro Gly-D-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro (inactive control peptide) Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Asn-Pro n-Methyl-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Lys Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ser-Ser-Lys (Gly-Pen-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys-Ala �cyclical!) Antineoplastic agents: 1. Alkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustards (chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine, melphalan), ethyleneamine derivatives (thiotepa), alkyl sulfonates (busulfan), nitrosoureas (carmustine, lomustine), triazenes (dacarbasine) 2. Antimetabolites, such as folic acid analogues (methotrexate), pyrimidine analogues (cytarabine, floxuridine, fluorouracil), purine analogues (mercaptopurine, thioguanine) 3. Natural Products, such as vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel), podophyllotoxin and its derivatives (etoposide); antibiotics (bleomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, daunomycin, methramycin, mitomycin) 4. Hormones, such as adrenal corticosteroids (prednisone), estrogens (chlorotrianisene, conjugated estrogens, diethylstilbestrol, diethylstilbestrol diphosphate, ethinyl estradiol), androgens (calusterone, dromostanolone propionate, fluoxymesterone, testolactone, testosterone propionate, testosterone enanthate), progestine (hydroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol), antiestorgen (tamoxifen) 5. Enzymes, such as asparaginase 6. Miscellaneous agents, such as substituted urea (hydroxyurea), methyl hydrazine derivative (procarbazine), adrenocortical suppressant (mitotane), heavy metal complex (cisplatin, carboplatin)

The foregoing is offered primarily for purposes of illustration. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the materials, proportions, methods of preparation and formulation and other parameters of the various systems described herein may be further modified or substituted in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of monodisperse non-crosslinked particles of albumin having a size range of from about 50 to about 5000 nanometers in diameter and stable against resolubilization, said method comprising:

(a) forming an aqueous solution containing as solutes:

(i) albumin, and

(ii) polyethylene glycol; and

(b) treating said aqueous solution with a lower alkyl alcohol in an amount sufficient to cause said aqueous solution to become turbid.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said solutes are used at a concentration such that said particles comprise from about 1.0 to about 150 g per liter of said suspension.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said alcohol is a member selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol and n-butanol.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said alcohol is a member selected from the group consisting of ethanol and n-butanol.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which step (b) comprises adding said lower alkyl alcohol in an amount such that said lower alkyl alcohol constitutes from about 10% to about 80% by volume of said suspension.

6. A method for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of monodisperse non-crosslinked particles of albumin having a size range of from about 50 to about 5000 nanometers in diameter and stable against resolubilization, said method comprising:

(a) treating an aqueous solution of albumin with a lower alkyl alcohol in an amount sufficient to cause said aqueous solution to become turbid; and

(b) adding a polyethylene glycol to said turbid solution in a resolubilization suppressing amount.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 in which said alcohol is a member selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol and n-butanol.

8. A method in accordance with claim 6 in which said alcohol is a member selected from the group consisting of ethanol and n-butanol.

9. A method in accordance with claim 6 in which step (a) comprises adding said lower alkyl alcohol in an amount such that said lower alkyl alcohol constitutes from about 10% to about 80% by volume of said suspension.

10. A method in accordance with claim 6 in which the polyethylene glycol is at a concentration of at least about 0.1 g per liter of said aqueous solution.

11. A method for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of monodisperse non-crosslinked particles of albumin having a size range of from about 50 to about 5000 nanometers in diameter, said particles being stable against resolubilization and containing fibrinogen adhered to the particle surface, said method comprising:

(a) forming an aqueous solution containing as solutes:

(i) albumin, and

(ii) polyethylene glycol in a resolubilization suppressing amount;

(b) treating said aqueous solution with a lower alkyl alcohol in an amount sufficient to cause said aqueous solution to become turbid; and

contacting said particles with fibrinogen.