Chemical synthesis of polysaccharide–protein and polysaccharide–peptide conjugates: A review

Polysaccharides are abundant natural polymers, which in nature are at times covalently modified with peptides and proteins. Polysaccharide–protein or polysaccharide–peptide conjugates, natural or otherwise, may have increased solubility, improved emulsion properties, prolonged circulation time, reduced immunogenicity, and enhanced selectivity for targeting specific tissues compared to native peptides and proteins. In this paper, we will review recent advances in synthetic methods for producing polysaccharide–protein conjugates and discuss their advantages with a focus on drug targeting.