Table 1B.

Summary of the different strategies followed for an active targeting to monocytes and macrophages

Ligand	Nanosystem	Key results	Ref.
IgG coating	SPIO	Higher in vitro uptake and sustained distribution in lymphoid tissue, in comparison to non-coated SPIO	[85]
Mannosylation	Liposomes	Functionalized liposomes accumulated in tumor-associated macrophages better than in other lung areas	[86]
Folate	Dendrimer (G5)	High in vitro internalization by macrophages in a receptor-specific manner and great in vivo anti-inflammatory properties	[88]
Dextran	Dextran conjugates	After peritoneal administration, larger conjugates selectively associated with macrophages of the adipose tissue	[89]

G5: generation 5; IgG: immunoglobulin G; SPIO: superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles