Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increase target specificity of a mannosylated dextran therapeutic or diagnostic compound by administering at least a blocking composition comprising a backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties attached thereto; administering an effective amount of the mannosylated dextran therapeutic or diagnostic compound comprising a dextran backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties and one or more therapeutic agents attached thereto. In exemplary implementations, the molecular mass of the blocking composition backbone is at least about two times larger than the molecular mass of the mannosylated dextran backbone compound.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using these compositions that can include a targeting moiety and a therapeutic agent are described herein. These compositions can be used for diagnosing and/or treating flaviviridae-family viruses including Zika virus, dengue virus, and yellow fever.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for ablating CD206 expressing macrophages and/or CD206 expressing myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are disclosed. In certain aspects, disclosed methods comprise administering to a subject in need thereof an effective dose of a compound comprising a dextran backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties and one or more therapeutic agents attached thereto. In certain aspects, the therapeutic agent comprises a metal. In further aspects, the therapeutic agent comprises a cytotoxic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for repolarizing a tumor associated macrophage (TAM) from M2 to M1 comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective dose of a compound comprising a dextran backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties conjugated thereto. In certain aspects, the compound further comprises a therapeutic agent selected from: paclitaxel, gemcitabine, lapatinib, and doxorubicin. In further aspect, the therapeutic agent comprises a chelator and at least one metal ion. In certain implementations, the at least one metal ion comprises at least one Cu(II) ions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for assessing macrophage involvement in the inflammation of one or more joints of a subject. In certain aspects, the disclosed method includes the steps of administering to the subject a composition comprising a mannosylated dextran construct with an imaging moiety conjugated thereto; acquiring one or more planar images of a first joint of the subject; defining a region of interest (ROI) comprising the first joint; defining a joint specific reference region (RR); determining a MARTAD value of the joint by assessing the ratio of average pixel intensity of the ROI to the average pixel intensity of the RR; and comparing the MARTAD of the first joint to a normal MARTAD value for a corresponding joint, and wherein macrophage involvement is indicated by a joint specific MARTAD value that exceeds the normal MARTAD value by a predetermined threshold.