Mannose Receptor and Targeting Strategies

The mannose family receptors are unique multidomain, multifunctional endocytic receptors belonging to the C-type lectin family. These receptors, although structurally similar, exhibit differential binding to discrete ligands. This chapter discusses such similarities and differences between the structures, ligands, the expression, and molecular trafficking among the members of mannose receptor family. Further, targeted drug delivery strategies in infections and cancer to the most widely investigated receptor of the family, the mannose receptor, are comprehensively explained with examples.