Altering net charge on mannosylated dextrans to maximize target tissue uptake and off target competitive blocking

A method of increasing target specificity of a mannosylated carbohydrate polymeric therapeutic or diagnostic compound in a subject comprising:

• administering a blocking compound comprising a carbohydrate backbone, one or more mannose-binding C-type lectin receptor targeting moieties attached thereto, and one or more negatively charged or neutral moieties attached thereto, wherein the one or more negatively charged or neutral moieties comprises an acidic group, a mannose moiety, galactose, or fucose;
• and
• administering an effective amount of the mannosylated carbohydrate polymeric therapeutic or diagnostic compound comprising a carbohydrate polymer backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties and one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents attached thereto,
• wherein the blocking compound is polyanionic and thereby negatively charged, or neutral;
• and
• wherein the mannosylated carbohydrate polymeric therapeutic or diagnostic compound is polycationic and thereby positively charged.