Abstract: A targeted nanocarriers also termed nanomedicines and methods of preferentially, or actively, targeting and delivering a tool for gene transfer or genome editing (i.e., a plasmid or a restriction enzyme such as a zinc finger nuclease, a CRISPR/Cas system, or a TALEN) or a tool for gene silencing or post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression (i.e., a microRNA, a siRNA, a mRNA, an antisense oligonucleotide, or a sense oligonucleotide) to a range of mammalian cell species. Cell specific targeting is achieved by using nanocarriers featuring suitable targeting anchors having a targeting moiety that can be a carbohydrate, an antibody or an antibody fragment, a non-antibody protein derivative, an aptamer, a lipoprotein or a fragment thereof, a peptidoglycan, a lipopolysaccharide or a fragment thereof, or a CpG DNA. Such targeting anchors may or may not include a polymeric spacer like polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: Methods for preferentially delivering an active agent intracellularly to a reservoir cell that is infected with or susceptible to infection with an infectious agent, such as HIV. The active agent is part of a lipid-active agent complex that has a targeting ligand, such as a CTL/CTLD receptor-specific anchor, on its outer surface. Targeting systems are also disclosed. Such targeting systems are comprised of lipid-active agent complexes that contain targeting ligands, such as fucose and polyfucose derivatives, on their outer surfaces. The active agents include plant lectins, such as Con-A and MHL, and other drugs. Such methods and targeting systems may be used in the treatment of HIV and other infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Abstract: A method of preferentially delivering an active agent to an immune cell, such as a myeloid progenitor cell, a dendritic cell, a monocyte, a macrophage or a T-lymphocyte, or other cell type restricted to a functional organ system or an anatomic entity, of a mammalian subject by administering a lipid-drug complex to the subject. The lipid-drug complex is comprised of an active agent, such as a drug, and an outer surface with a targeting ligand that binds a marker on the surface of the immune cell or other cell type that is infected with or susceptible to infection with an infectious agent. The other cell type that is infected with or suspectible to infection with an infectious agent may belong to a malignant tumor or a part of the immune system contributing to the development, maintenance, or exacerbation of an autoimmune disease or chronic inflammatory disease.