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Huang Y, Herbst EB, Xie Y, Yin L, Islam ZH, Kent EW, Wang B, Klibanov AL, Hossack JA. In Vivo Validation of Modulated Acoustic Radiation Force-Based Imaging in Murine Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using VEGFR-2-Targeted Microbubbles. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:865-873. [PMID: 37433074 PMCID: PMC10784413 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to validate the modulated acoustic radiation force (mARF)-based imaging method in the detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in murine models using vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)-targeted microbubbles (MBs). MATERIALS AND METHODS The mouse AAA model was prepared using the subcutaneous angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion combined with the β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate solution dissolved in drinking water. The ultrasound imaging session was performed at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days after the osmotic pump implantation. For each imaging session, 10 C57BL/6 mice were implanted with Ang II-filled osmotic pumps, and 5 C57BL/6 mice received saline infusion only as the control group. Biotinylated lipid MBs conjugated to either anti-mouse VEGFR-2 antibody (targeted MBs) or isotype control antibody (control MBs) were prepared before each imaging session and were injected into mice via tail vein catheter. Two separate transducers were colocalized to image the AAA and apply ARF to translate MBs simultaneously. After each imaging session, tissue was harvested and the aortas were used for VEGFR-2 immunostaining analysis. From the collected ultrasound image data, the signal magnitude response of the adherent targeted MBs was analyzed, and a parameter, residual-to-saturation ratio ( Rres - sat ), was defined to measure the enhancement in the adherent targeted MBs signal after the cessation of ARF compared with the initial signal intensity. Statistical analysis was performed with the Welch t test and analysis of variance test. RESULTS The Rres - sat of abdominal aortic segments from Ang II-challenged mice was significantly higher compared with that in the saline-infused control group ( P < 0.001) at all 4 time points after osmotic pump implantation (1 week to 4 weeks). In control mice, the Rres - sat values were 2.13%, 1.85%, 3.26%, and 4.85% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks postimplantation, respectively. In stark contrast, the Rres - sat values for the mice with Ang II-induced AAA lesions were 9.20%, 20.6%, 22.7%, and 31.8%, respectively. It is worth noting that there was a significant difference between the Rres - sat for Ang II-infused mice at all 4 time points ( P < 0.005), a finding not present in the saline-infused mice. Immunostaining results revealed the VEGFR-2 expression was increased in the abdominal aortic segments of Ang II-infused mice compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS The mARF-based imaging technique was validated in vivo using a murine model of AAA and VEGFR-2-targeted MBs. Results in this study indicated that the mARF-based imaging technique has the ability to detect and assess AAA growth at early stages based on the signal intensity of adherent targeted MBs, which is correlated with the expression level of the desired molecular biomarker. The results may suggest, in very long term, a pathway toward eventual clinical implementation for an ultrasound molecular imaging-based approach to AAA risk assessment in asymptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huang
- From the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (Y.H., Y.X., J.A.H.); Philips Research North America, Cambridge, MA (E.B.H.); Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (L.Y., Z.H.I., E.W.K., B.W.); and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (A.L.K.)
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Navarro-Becerra JA, Castillo JI, Di Ruzza F, Borden MA. Monodispersity Increases Adhesion Efficiency and Specificity for Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubbles. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:991-1001. [PMID: 36153974 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound molecular imaging with targeted microbubbles (MBs) can be used to noninvasively diagnose, monitor, and study the progression of different endothelial-associated diseases. Acoustic radiation force (Frad) can initiate and enhance MB adhesion at the target site. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effects of various MB parameters on Frad targeting. Monodisperse or polydisperse MBs with the immune-stealth cloaked (buried)-ligand architecture were conjugated with targeting RGD or nonspecific isotype control RAD peptides and then pumped through an αvβ3 integrin-coated microvessel phantom at a wall shear stress of 3.5 dyn/cm2. Targeting was assessed by measuring MB attachment for varying Frad time and frequency, as well as MB concentration and size distribution. We first confirmed that primary Frad is necessary to target the cloaked-ligand MBs. MB targeting increased monotonically with αvβ3 integrin density and Frad time. MB attachment and, to a lesser extent specificity, also increased when driven by Frad near resonance. MB targeting increased with MB concentration, although a shift in behavior was observed with increasing MB-MB interactions and aggregations forming from secondary Frad effects as MB concentration was increased. These secondary Frad effects reduced targeting specificity. Finally, after having validated our approach by testing different parameters with the appropriate controls, we then determined the effects of monodispersity on adhesion efficiency and specific targeting. We observed that both MB targeting efficiency and specificity were greatly enhanced for monodisperse vs polydisperse MBs. Analysis of videomicroscopy images indicated that secondary Frad effects may have disproportionally inhibited targeting of polydisperse MBs. In conclusion, our in vitro results indicate that monodisperse MBs driven near resonance and at a low concentration (∼106 MB/mL) can be used to maximize the adhesion efficiency (up to 88%) and specificity of RGD-MB targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Angel Navarro-Becerra
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0427, United States
| | - Jair I Castillo
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0427, United States
| | - Federico Di Ruzza
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0427, United States.,Chemical Science and Technology Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma 00133, Italy
| | - Mark A Borden
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0427, United States.,Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0427, United States
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Jung H, Shung KK, Lim HG. Ultrasonic High-Resolution Imaging and Acoustic Tweezers Using Ultrahigh Frequency Transducer: Integrative Single-Cell Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:1916. [PMID: 36850513 PMCID: PMC9962640 DOI: 10.3390/s23041916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging is a highly valuable tool in imaging human tissues due to its non-invasive and easily accessible nature. Despite advances in the field of ultrasound research, conventional transducers with frequencies lower than 20 MHz face limitations in resolution for cellular applications. To address this challenge, we employed ultrahigh frequency (UHF) transducers and demonstrated their potential applications in the field of biomedical engineering, specifically for cell imaging and acoustic tweezers. The lateral resolution achieved with a 110 MHz UHF transducer was 20 μm, and 6.5 μm with a 410 MHz transducer, which is capable of imaging single cells. The results of our experiments demonstrated the successful imaging of a single PC-3 cell and a 15 μm bead using an acoustic scanning microscope equipped with UHF transducers. Additionally, the dual-mode multifunctional UHF transducer was used to trap and manipulate single cells and beads, highlighting its potential for single-cell studies in areas such as cell deformability and mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayong Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
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Short WD, Olutoye OO, Padon BW, Parikh UM, Colchado D, Vangapandu H, Shams S, Chi T, Jung JP, Balaji S. Advances in non-invasive biosensing measures to monitor wound healing progression. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:952198. [PMID: 36213059 PMCID: PMC9539744 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.952198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired wound healing is a significant financial and medical burden. The synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in a new wound is a dynamic process that is constantly changing and adapting to the biochemical and biomechanical signaling from the extracellular microenvironments of the wound. This drives either a regenerative or fibrotic and scar-forming healing outcome. Disruptions in ECM deposition, structure, and composition lead to impaired healing in diseased states, such as in diabetes. Valid measures of the principal determinants of successful ECM deposition and wound healing include lack of bacterial contamination, good tissue perfusion, and reduced mechanical injury and strain. These measures are used by wound-care providers to intervene upon the healing wound to steer healing toward a more functional phenotype with improved structural integrity and healing outcomes and to prevent adverse wound developments. In this review, we discuss bioengineering advances in 1) non-invasive detection of biologic and physiologic factors of the healing wound, 2) visualizing and modeling the ECM, and 3) computational tools that efficiently evaluate the complex data acquired from the wounds based on basic science, preclinical, translational and clinical studies, that would allow us to prognosticate healing outcomes and intervene effectively. We focus on bioelectronics and biologic interfaces of the sensors and actuators for real time biosensing and actuation of the tissues. We also discuss high-resolution, advanced imaging techniques, which go beyond traditional confocal and fluorescence microscopy to visualize microscopic details of the composition of the wound matrix, linearity of collagen, and live tracking of components within the wound microenvironment. Computational modeling of the wound matrix, including partial differential equation datasets as well as machine learning models that can serve as powerful tools for physicians to guide their decision-making process are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker D. Short
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Oluyinka O. Olutoye
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Benjamin W. Padon
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Umang M. Parikh
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Daniel Colchado
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hima Vangapandu
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shayan Shams
- Department of Applied Data Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Taiyun Chi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jangwook P. Jung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Swathi Balaji
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Swathi Balaji,
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Zhang S, Li R, Zheng Y, Zhou Y, Fan X. Erythrocyte Membrane-Enveloped Salvianolic Acid B Nanoparticles Attenuate Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:3561-3577. [PMID: 35974873 PMCID: PMC9376004 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s375908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Salvianolic acid B (SAB), a water-soluble phenolic acid derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza, exerted protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the efficacy of SAB is seriously hindered by poor blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability and short biological half-life in plasma. Brain targeted biomimetic nanoparticle delivery systems offer much promise in overcoming these limitations. Methods A brain targeted biomimetic nanomedicine (RR@SABNPs) was developed, which comprised of SAB loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles and functionalized red blood cell membrane (RBCM) with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). The characterization parameters, including particle size, zeta potential, morphology, Encapsulation Efficiency (EE), Drug Loading (DL), release behavior, stability, and biocompatibility, were investigated. Moreover, the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse model was used to assess the therapeutic efficacy of RR@SABNPs on ischemic stroke. Finally, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by DHE and JC‑1 staining in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and H2O2 injured PC12 cells. Results RR@SABNPs exhibited spheric morphology with core-shell structures and good stability and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, RR@SABNPs can significantly prolong SAB circulation time by overcoming the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and actively targeting ischemic BBB. Moreover, RR@SABNPs had comprehensive protective effects on MCAO/R model mice, manifested as a reduced infarct volume and improved neurological and sensorimotor functions, and significantly scavenged excess ROS and maintained MMP. Conclusion The designed brain targeted biomimetic nanomedicine RR@SABNPs can significantly prolong the half-time of SAB, deliver SAB into the ischemic brain and exhibit good therapeutic effects on MCAO/R model mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoqi Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingyi Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
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Mi X, Guo X, Du H, Han M, Liu H, Luo Y, Wang D, Xiang R, Yue S, Zhang Y, Tan X. Combined legumain- and integrin-targeted nanobubbles for molecular ultrasound imaging of breast cancer. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2022; 42:102533. [PMID: 35150904 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Molecular ultrasound imaging is a promising strategy for non-invasive and precise cancer diagnosis. Previously reported ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are mostly microbubbles or nanobubbles (NBs) larger than 200 nm, leading to less efficient tumor delivery. Here we synthesized NBs with a small size (~49 nm) and modified the NB surface with alanine-alanine-asparagine (NB-A) or arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide (NB-R) for concurrent active targeting towards legumain in tumor cells and integrin in tumor neovasculature. In vitro, the NB-A and NB-R presented echogenicity comparable with SonoVue MBs and showed specific binding with tumors cells and endothelial cells, respectively. In vivo, the combined NB-A/NB-R accumulated in tumor tissues selectively and provided ultrasound signals with prolonged duration and that were significantly stronger than non-targeted NBs, single-targeted NBs and SonoVue MBs. Overall, the dual targeted NBs served as efficient UCAs for specific imaging of breast cancer, and hold great potential for general cancer diagnosis/monitoring in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Mi
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinmeng Guo
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiqiao Du
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Han
- Second Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Second Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Yukun Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dekun Wang
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Xiang
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shijing Yue
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuying Zhang
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xiaoyue Tan
- School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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Enhanced treatment of cerebral ischemia-Reperfusion injury by intelligent nanocarriers through the regulation of neurovascular units. Acta Biomater 2022; 147:314-326. [PMID: 35588994 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reperfusion injury is one of the major causes of disability and death caused by ischemic stroke, and drug development focuses mainly on single neuron protection. However, different kinds of cells in the neurovascular units (NVUs), including neurons, microglia and vascular endothelial cells, are pathologically changed after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, resulting in an urgent need to develop a drug delivery system to comprehensively protect the kinds of cells involved in the NVU. Herein, we have constructed a c(RGDyK) peptide modified, NF-κB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)-loaded and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) stimuli-responsive liposomal nanocarrier (R-Lipo-CAPE) to target ischemic lesions and then remodel the NVU to reduce the progression of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The R-Lipo-CAPE liposomes were approximately 170 nm with a zeta potential of -30.8 ± 0.2 mV. The in vitro CAPE release behavior from R-Lipo-CAPE showed an RNS-dependent pattern. For in vivo studies, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO) model mice treated with R-Lipo-CAPE had the least neurological impairment and decreased brain tissue damage, with an infarct area of 13%, compared with those treated with saline of 53% or free CAPE of 38%. Furthermore, microglia in the ischemic brain were polarized to the tissue-repairing M2 phenotype after R-Lipo-CAPE treatment. In addition, R-Lipo-CAPE-treated mice displayed a prominent down-regulated expression of MMP-9 and restored expression of the tight junction protein claudin-5. This proof-of-concept indicates that R-Lipo-CAPE is a promising nanomedicine for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through the regulation of neurovascular units. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the complex mechanism and difficulty in treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, the overall regulation of neurovascular unit has become an extremely important target. However, little nanomedicine has been directed to remodel the neurovascular units in targeted cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury therapy. Here, c(RGDyK) peptide modified reactive nitrogen species (RNS) stimuli-responsive liposomal nanocarrier loaded with a NF-κB inhibitor (CAPE), was designed to simultaneously regulate various cells in the microenvironment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to remodel the neurovascular units. Our in vitro and in vivo data showed that the intelligent nanocarrier exerted the ability of pathological signal stimuli-responsive drug release, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury site targeting and neurovascular units remodeling through reducing neuron apoptosis, regulating microglia polarization and repairing vascular endothelial cell. Overall, the intelligent liposomal drug delivery system was a promising and safe nanomedicine in the perspective of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury treatment.
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Goncin U, Bernhard W, Curiel L, Geyer CR, Machtaler S. Rapid Copper-free Click Conjugation to Lipid-Shelled Microbubbles for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Murine Bowel Inflammation. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:848-857. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Una Goncin
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Wendy Bernhard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Laura Curiel
- Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - C. Ronald Geyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Steven Machtaler
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
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Gurwin A, Kowalczyk K, Knecht-Gurwin K, Stelmach P, Nowak Ł, Krajewski W, Szydełko T, Małkiewicz B. Alternatives for MRI in Prostate Cancer Diagnostics-Review of Current Ultrasound-Based Techniques. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1859. [PMID: 35454767 PMCID: PMC9028694 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to present the current role of ultrasound-based techniques in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer (PCa). With overdiagnosis and overtreatment of a clinically insignificant PCa over the past years, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) started to be recommended for every patient suspected of PCa before performing a biopsy. It enabled targeted sampling of the suspicious prostate regions, improving the accuracy of the traditional systematic biopsy. However, mpMRI is associated with high costs, relatively low availability, long and separate procedure, or exposure to the contrast agent. The novel ultrasound modalities, such as shear wave elastography (SWE), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), or high frequency micro-ultrasound (MicroUS), may be capable of maintaining the performance of mpMRI without its limitations. Moreover, the real-time lesion visualization during biopsy would significantly simplify the diagnostic process. Another value of these new techniques is the ability to enhance the performance of mpMRI by creating the image fusion of multiple modalities. Such models might be further analyzed by artificial intelligence to mark the regions of interest for investigators and help to decide about the biopsy indications. The dynamic development and promising results of new ultrasound-based techniques should encourage researchers to thoroughly study their utilization in prostate imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gurwin
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Kamil Kowalczyk
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Klaudia Knecht-Gurwin
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Paweł Stelmach
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Łukasz Nowak
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Wojciech Krajewski
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Tomasz Szydełko
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Bartosz Małkiewicz
- University Center of Excellence in Urology, Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (P.S.); (Ł.N.); (W.K.); (T.S.)
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Protein-conjugated microbubbles for the selective targeting of S. aureus biofilms. Biofilm 2022; 4:100074. [PMID: 35340817 PMCID: PMC8942837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important human pathogen and a common cause of bloodstream infection. The ability of S. aureus to form biofilms, particularly on medical devices, makes treatment difficult, as does its tendency to spread within the body and cause secondary foci of infection. Prolonged courses of intravenous antimicrobial treatment are usually required for serious S. aureus infections. This work investigates the in vitro attachment of microbubbles to S. aureus biofilms via a novel Affimer protein, AClfA1, which targets the clumping factor A (ClfA) virulence factor – a cell-wall anchored protein associated with surface attachment. Microbubbles (MBs) are micron-sized gas-filled bubbles encapsulated by a lipid, polymer, or protein monolayer or other surfactant-based material. Affimers are small (∼12 kDa) heat-stable binding proteins developed as replacements for antibodies. The binding kinetics of AClfA1 against S. aureus ClfA showed strong binding affinity (KD = 62 ± 3 nM). AClfA1 was then shown to bind S. aureus biofilms under flow conditions both as a free ligand and when bound to microparticles (polymer beads or microbubbles). Microbubbles functionalized with AClfA1 demonstrated an 8-fold increase in binding compared to microbubbles functionalized with an identical Affimer scaffold but lacking the recognition groups. Bound MBs were able to withstand flow rates of 250 μL/min. Finally, ultrasound was applied to burst the biofilm bound MBs to determine whether this would lead to biofilm biomass loss or cell death. Application of a 2.25 MHz ultrasound profile (with a peak negative pressure of 0.8 MPa and consisting of a 22-cycle sine wave, at a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz) for 2 s to a biofilm decorated with targeted MBs, led to a 25% increase in biomass loss and a concomitant 8% increase in dead cell count. The results of this work show that Affimers can be developed to target S. aureus biofilms and that such Affimers can be attached to contrast agents such as microbubbles or polymer beads and offer potential, with some optimization, for drug-free biofilm treatment.
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Teh JH, Braga M, Allott L, Barnes C, Hernández-Gil J, Tang MX, Aboagye EO, Long NJ. A kit-based aluminium-[ 18F]fluoride approach to radiolabelled microbubbles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:11677-11680. [PMID: 34672307 PMCID: PMC8567295 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04790f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The production of 18F-labelled microbubbles (MBs) via the aluminium-[18F]fluoride ([18F]AlF) radiolabelling method and facile inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) 'click' chemistry is reported. An [18F]AlF-NODA-labelled tetrazine was synthesised in excellent radiochemical yield (>95% RCY) and efficiently conjugated to a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) functionalised phospholipid (40-50% RCY), which was incorporated into MBs (40-50% RCY). To demonstrate the potential of producing 18F-labelled MBs for clinical studies, we also describe a kit-based approach which is amenable for use in a hospital radiopharmacy setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hui Teh
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, UK.
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Marta Braga
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Louis Allott
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
- Positron Emission Tomography Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, UK
| | - Chris Barnes
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Javier Hernández-Gil
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, UK.
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Meng-Xing Tang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Eric O Aboagye
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Nicholas J Long
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, UK.
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12
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Kim J, Wang Q, Zhang S, Yoon S. Compressed Sensing-Based Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging for Faster Acquisition and High Quality Images. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:3317-3326. [PMID: 33793396 PMCID: PMC8609474 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3070487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
GOAL Typical SRUS images are reconstructed by localizing ultrasound microbubbles (MBs) injected in a vessel using normalized 2-dimensional cross-correlation (2DCC) between MBs signals and the point spread function of the system. However, current techniques require isolated MBs in a confined area due to inaccurate localization of densely populated MBs. To overcome this limitation, we developed the ℓ1-homotopy based compressed sensing (L1H-CS) based SRUS imaging technique which localizes densely populated MBs to visualize microvasculature in vivo. METHODS To evaluate the performance of L1H-CS, we compared the performance of 2DCC, interior-point method based compressed sensing (CVX-CS), and L1H-CS algorithms. Localization efficiency was compared using axially and laterally aligned point targets (PTs) with known distances and randomly distributed PTs generated by simulation. We developed post-processing techniques including clutter reduction, noise equalization, motion compensation, and spatiotemporal noise filtering for in vivo imaging. We then validated the capabilities of L1H-CS based SRUS imaging technique with high-density MBs in a mouse tumor model, kidney, and zebrafish dorsal trunk, and brain. RESULTS Compared to 2DCC and CVX-CS algorithms, L1H-CS achieved faster data acquisition time and considerable improvement in SRUS image quality. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE These results demonstrate that the L1H-CS based SRUS imaging technique has the potential to examine microvasculature with reduced acquisition and reconstruction time to acquire enhanced SRUS image quality, which may be necessary to translate it into clinics.
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13
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Herbst EB, Klibanov AL, Hossack JA, Mauldin FW. Dynamic Filtering of Adherent and Non-adherent Microbubble Signals Using Singular Value Thresholding and Normalized Singular Spectrum Area Techniques. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:3240-3252. [PMID: 34376299 PMCID: PMC8691388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound molecular imaging techniques rely on the separation and identification of three types of signals: static tissue, adherent microbubbles and non-adherent microbubbles. In this study, the image filtering techniques of singular value thresholding (SVT) and normalized singular spectrum area (NSSA) were combined to isolate and identify vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-targeted microbubbles in a mouse hindlimb tumor model (n = 24). By use of a Verasonics Vantage 256 imaging system with an L12-5 transducer, a custom-programmed pulse inversion sequence employing synthetic aperture virtual source element imaging was used to collect contrast images of mouse tumors perfused with microbubbles. SVT was used to suppress static tissue signals by 9.6 dB while retaining adherent and non-adherent microbubble signals. NSSA was used to classify microbubble signals as adherent or non-adherent with high accuracy (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [ROC AUC] = 0.97), matching the classification performance of differential targeted enhancement. The combined SVT + NSSA filtering method also outperformed differential targeted enhancement in differentiating MB signals from all other signals (ROC AUC = 0.89) without necessitating destruction of the contrast agent. The results from this study indicate that SVT and NSSA can be used to automatically segment and classify contrast signals. This filtering method with potential real-time capability could be used in future diagnostic settings to improve workflow and speed the clinical uptake of ultrasound molecular imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Herbst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - John A Hossack
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - F William Mauldin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
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14
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Paknahad AA, Kerr L, Wong DA, Kolios MC, Tsai SSH. Biomedical nanobubbles and opportunities for microfluidics. RSC Adv 2021; 11:32750-32774. [PMID: 35493576 PMCID: PMC9042222 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra04890b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine is increasing in recent years, which is attributable to the array of therapeutic and diagnostic tools promised by developing bulk nanobubble technologies. From cancer drug delivery and ultrasound contrast enhancement to malaria detection and the diagnosis of acute donor tissue rejection, the potential applications of bulk nanobubbles are broad and diverse. Developing these technologies to the point of clinical use may significantly impact the quality of patient care. This review compiles and summarizes a representative collection of the current applications, fabrication techniques, and characterization methods of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine. Current state-of-the-art generation methods are not designed to create nanobubbles of high concentration and low polydispersity, both characteristics of which are important for several bulk nanobubble applications. To date, microfluidics has not been widely considered as a tool for generating nanobubbles, even though the small-scale precision and real-time control offered by microfluidics may overcome the challenges mentioned above. We suggest possible uses of microfluidics for improving the quality of bulk nanobubble populations and propose ways of leveraging existing microfluidic technologies, such as organ-on-a-chip platforms, to expand the experimental toolbox of researchers working to develop biomedical nanobubbles. The use of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine is increasing in recent years. This translates into new opportunities for microfluidics, which may enable the generation of higher quality nanobubbles that lead to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Paknahad
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Liam Kerr
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Daniel A Wong
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Department of Physics, Ryerson University Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Scott S H Tsai
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
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15
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Zhao F, Unnikrishnan S, Herbst EB, Klibanov AL, Mauldin FW, Hossack JA. A Targeted Molecular Localization Imaging Method Applied to Tumor Microvasculature. Invest Radiol 2021; 56:197-206. [PMID: 32976207 PMCID: PMC9462590 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ultrasound contrast agents, consisting of gas-filled microbubbles (MBs), have been imaged using several techniques that include ultrasound localization microscopy and targeted molecular imaging. Each of these techniques aims to provide indicators of the disease state but has traditionally been performed independently without co-localization of molecular markers and super-resolved vessels. In this article, we present a new imaging technology: a targeted molecular localization (TML) approach, which uses a single imaging sequence and reconstruction approach to co-localize super-resolved vasculature with molecular imaging signature to provide simultaneous anatomic and biological information for potential multiscale disease evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The feasibility of the proposed TML technique was validated in a murine hindlimb tumor model. Targeted molecular localization imaging was performed on 3 groups, which included control tissue (leg), tumor tissue, and tumor tissue after sunitinib an-tivascular treatment. Quantitative measures for vascular index (VI) and molecular index (MITML) were calculated from the microvasculature and TML images, respectively. In addition to these conventional metrics, a new metric unique to the TML technique, reporting the ratio of targeted molecular index to vessel surface, was assessed. RESULTS The quantitative resolution results of the TML approach showed resolved resolution of the microvasculature down to 28.8 μm. Vascular index increased in tumors with and without sunitinib compared with the control leg, but the trend was not statistically significant. A decrease in MITML was observed for the tumor after treatment (P < 0.0005) and for the control leg (P < 0.005) compared with the tumor before treatment. Statistical differences in the ratio of molecular index to vessel surface were found between all groups: the control leg and tumor (P < 0.05), the control leg and tumor after sunitinib treatment (P < 0.05), and between tumors with and without sunitinib treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These findings validated the technical feasibility of the TML method and pre-clinical feasibility for differentiating between the normal and diseased tissue states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhao
- From the Department of Biomedical Engineering
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16
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Ho YJ, Chang HC, Lin CW, Fan CH, Lin YC, Wei KC, Yeh CK. Oscillatory behavior of microbubbles impacts efficacy of cellular drug delivery. J Control Release 2021; 333:316-327. [PMID: 33811982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Drug-loaded microbubbles have been proven to be an effective strategy for non-invasive and local drug delivery when combined with ultrasound excitation for targeted drug release. Inertial cavitation is speculated to be a major mechanism for releasing drugs from drug-loaded microbubbles, but it results in lethal cellular pore damage that greatly limits its application. Thus, we investigated the cellular vesicle attachment and uptake to evaluate the efficiency of drug delivery by modulating the behaviors of targeted microbubble oscillation. The efficiency of vesicle attachment on the targeted cell membrane was 36.5 ± 15.9% and 3.8 ± 2.3% under stable and inertial cavitation, respectively. Further, stable cavitation enhanced cell permeability (26.8 ± 3.2%), maintained cell viability (90.8 ± 2.1%), and showed 7.9 ± 1.9-fold enhancement of in vivo vesicle release on tumor vessels. Therefore, our results reveal the ability to improve drug delivery via stable cavitation induced by targeted microbubbles. We propose that this strategy might be suitable for tissue repair or neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ju Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Chun Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chen Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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17
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Evaluation of Nanotargeted 111In-Cyclic RGDfK-Liposome in a Human Melanoma Xenotransplantation Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031099. [PMID: 33499267 PMCID: PMC7866009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotargeted liposomes may be modified with targeting peptide on the surface of a prepared liposome to endow specificity and elevate targeting efficiency. The aim of this study was to develop a radioactive targeted nanoparticle, the 111In-cyclic RGDfK-liposome, and its advantage of recognizing the αVβ3 integrin was examined. The cyclic RGDfK modified liposomes were demonstrated the ability to bind the αVβ3 integrin expressed on the surface of human melanoma cell in vitro and in vivo. The effects of the cyclic RGDfK-liposome on the functioning of phagocytes was also examined, showing no considerable negative effects on the engulfment of bacteria and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Based upon these findings, the cyclic RGDfK- liposome is said to be a promising agent for tumor imaging.
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18
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Notohamiprodjo S, Varasteh Z, Beer AJ, Niu G, Chen X(S, Weber W, Schwaiger M. Tumor Vasculature. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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19
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Song B, Zhang X, Wen X, Liu Q, Ma H, Guo W, Tan M, Jia L, Yuan J. Development of a tumor-targetable heteropolymetallic lanthanide-complex-based magnetoluminescent probe for dual-modal time-gated luminescence/magnetic resonance imaging of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj00567g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Multifunctional heteropolymetallic lanthanide-complex-based magnetoluminescent probe for tumor-targeting TGL/MR imaging in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Song
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Qi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Hua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Weihua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Mingqian Tan
- School of Food and Technology
- Dalian Polytechnic University
- Dalian
- P. R. China
| | - Lei Jia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- P. R. China
| | - Jingli Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
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20
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Diakova GB, Du Z, Klibanov AL. Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Imaging of Tumor Vasculature With Positively Charged Microbubbles. Invest Radiol 2020; 55:736-740. [PMID: 32569011 PMCID: PMC10690642 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Molecular ultrasound imaging of tumor vasculature is being actively investigated with microbubble contrast agents targeted to neovasculature biomarkers. Yet, a universal method of targeting tumor vasculature independent of specific biomarkers, or in their absence, would be desirable. We report the use of electrostatic interaction to achieve adherence of microbubbles to tumor vasculature and resulting tumor delineation by ultrasound imaging. METHODS AND MATERIALS Microbubbles were prepared from decafluorobutane gas by amalgamation of aqueous micellar medium. Distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-stearate were used as microbubble shell-forming lipids; cationic lipid distearoyl trimethylammoniumpropane (DSTAP) was included to introduce positive electrostatic charge. Microbubbles were subjected to flotation in normal gravity, to remove larger particles. Murine colon adenocarcinoma tumor (MC38, J. Schlom, National Institutes of Health) was inoculated in the hind leg of C57BL/6 mice. Contrast ultrasound imaging was performed under isoflurane anesthesia, using a clinical imaging system in low power mode, with tissue signal suppression (contrast pulse sequencing, 7 MHz, 1 Hz; Mechanical Index, 0.2). The ultrasound probe was positioned to monitor the tumor and contralateral leg muscle; microbubble contrast signal was monitored for 30 minutes or more, after intravenous bolus administration of 2.10 microbubbles. Individual time point frames were extracted from ultrasound video recording and analyzed with ImageJ. RESULTS Mean bubble diameter was ~1.6 to 2 μm; 99.9% were less than 5 μm, to prevent blocking blood flow in capillaries. For cationic DSTAP-carrying microbubbles, contrast signal was observed in the tumor beyond 30 minutes after injection. As the fraction of positively charged lipid in the bubble shell was increased, adherent contrast signal in the tumor also increased, but accumulation of DSTAP-microbubbles in the normal muscle increased as well. For bubbles with the highest positive charge tested, DSTAP-DSPC molar ratio 1:4, at 10 minutes after intravenous administration of microbubbles, the contrast signal difference between the tumor and normal muscle was 1.5 (P < 0.005). At 30 minutes, tumor/muscle contrast signal ratio improved and reached 2.1. For the DSTAP-DSPC 1:13 preparation, tumor/muscle signal ratio exceeded 3.6 at 10 minutes and reached 5.4 at 30 minutes. Microbubbles with DSTAP-DSPC ratio 1:22 were optimal for tumor targeting: at 10 minutes, tumor/muscle signal ratio was greater than 7 (P < 0.005); at 30 minutes, greater than 16 (P < 0.01), sufficient for tumor delineation. CONCLUSIONS Cationic microbubbles are easy to prepare. They selectively accumulate in the tumor vasculature after intravenous administration. These microbubbles provide target-to-control contrast ratio that can exceed an order of magnitude. Adherent microbubbles delineate the tumor mass at extended time points, at 30 minutes and beyond. This may allow for an extension of the contrast ultrasound examination time. Overall, positively charged microbubbles could become a universal ultrasound contrast agent for cancer imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Radiology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
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21
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Molecular Ultrasound Imaging. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10101935. [PMID: 32998422 PMCID: PMC7601169 DOI: 10.3390/nano10101935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, molecular ultrasound imaging has been rapidly progressing. It has proven promising to diagnose angiogenesis, inflammation, and thrombosis, and many intravascular targets, such as VEGFR2, integrins, and selectins, have been successfully visualized in vivo. Furthermore, pre-clinical studies demonstrated that molecular ultrasound increased sensitivity and specificity in disease detection, classification, and therapy response monitoring compared to current clinically applied ultrasound technologies. Several techniques were developed to detect target-bound microbubbles comprising sensitive particle acoustic quantification (SPAQ), destruction-replenishment analysis, and dwelling time assessment. Moreover, some groups tried to assess microbubble binding by a change in their echogenicity after target binding. These techniques can be complemented by radiation force ultrasound improving target binding by pushing microbubbles to vessel walls. Two targeted microbubble formulations are already in clinical trials for tumor detection and liver lesion characterization, and further clinical scale targeted microbubbles are prepared for clinical translation. The recent enormous progress in the field of molecular ultrasound imaging is summarized in this review article by introducing the most relevant detection technologies, concepts for targeted nano- and micro-bubbles, as well as their applications to characterize various diseases. Finally, progress in clinical translation is highlighted, and roadblocks are discussed that currently slow the clinical translation.
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22
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Nie Z, Luo N, Liu J, Zhang Y, Zeng X, Su D. Dual-Mode Contrast Agents with RGD-Modified Polymer for Tumour-Targeted US/NIRF Imaging. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:8919-8929. [PMID: 32982284 PMCID: PMC7495348 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s256044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer diagnosis and treatment during the early stages of disease remain extremely challenging clinical tasks. The development of effective multimode contrast agents could greatly facilitate the early detection of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prepared dual-mode contrast agents using a biotin/avidin bioamplification system. Through in vivo and in vitro experiments, we verified the imaging performance of this contrast agents in both fluorescence and ultrasound and its targeting specificity for MDA-MB-231 cells. RESULTS The RGD peptide-labelled microbubbles showed excellent targeting of αvβ3 integrin expressed by MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and in vivo. The signal intensity and time duration of ultrasound imaging using these particles were superior to those obtained with a typical ultrasound contrast agent in the clinic. The tumour areas also demonstrated high Cy5.5 accumulation by fluorescence imaging. CONCLUSION The results show that this targeted dual-mode imaging system yields outstanding US/NIRF imaging results, possibly allowing the early clinical diagnosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Nie
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ningbin Luo
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Danke Su
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
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23
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Ingram N, McVeigh LE, Abou-Saleh RH, Maynard J, Peyman SA, McLaughlan JR, Fairclough M, Marston G, Valleley EMA, Jimenez-Macias JL, Charalambous A, Townley W, Haddrick M, Wierzbicki A, Wright A, Volpato M, Simpson PB, Treanor DE, Thomson NH, Loadman PM, Bushby RJ, Johnson BR, Jones PF, Evans JA, Freear S, Markham AF, Evans SD, Coletta PL. Ultrasound-triggered therapeutic microbubbles enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs by increasing circulation and tumor drug accumulation and limiting bioavailability and toxicity in normal tissues. Theranostics 2020; 10:10973-10992. [PMID: 33042265 PMCID: PMC7532679 DOI: 10.7150/thno.49670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancer patients receive chemotherapy at some stage of their treatment which makes improving the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs an ongoing and important goal. Despite large numbers of potent anti-cancer agents being developed, a major obstacle to clinical translation remains the inability to deliver therapeutic doses to a tumor without causing intolerable side effects. To address this problem, there has been intense interest in nanoformulations and targeted delivery to improve cancer outcomes. The aim of this work was to demonstrate how vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted, ultrasound-triggered delivery with therapeutic microbubbles (thMBs) could improve the therapeutic range of cytotoxic drugs. Methods: Using a microfluidic microbubble production platform, we generated thMBs comprising VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles with attached liposomal payloads for localised ultrasound-triggered delivery of irinotecan and SN38 in mouse models of colorectal cancer. Intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice was used to examine targeting efficiency and tumor pharmacodynamics. High-frequency ultrasound and bioluminescent imaging were used to visualise microbubbles in real-time. Tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantitate intratumoral drug delivery and tissue biodistribution. Finally, 89Zr PET radiotracing was used to compare biodistribution and tumor accumulation of ultrasound-triggered SN38 thMBs with VEGFR2-targeted SN38 liposomes alone. Results: ThMBs specifically bound VEGFR2 in vitro and significantly improved tumor responses to low dose irinotecan and SN38 in human colorectal cancer xenografts. An ultrasound trigger was essential to achieve the selective effects of thMBs as without it, thMBs failed to extend intratumoral drug delivery or demonstrate enhanced tumor responses. Sensitive LC-MS/MS quantification of drugs and their metabolites demonstrated that thMBs extended drug exposure in tumors but limited exposure in healthy tissues, not exposed to ultrasound, by persistent encapsulation of drug prior to elimination. 89Zr PET radiotracing showed that the percentage injected dose in tumors achieved with thMBs was twice that of VEGFR2-targeted SN38 liposomes alone. Conclusions: thMBs provide a generic platform for the targeted, ultrasound-triggered delivery of cytotoxic drugs by enhancing tumor responses to low dose drug delivery via combined effects on circulation, tumor drug accumulation and exposure and altered metabolism in normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Ingram
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Laura E. McVeigh
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Radwa H. Abou-Saleh
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | - Juliana Maynard
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Sally A. Peyman
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - James R. McLaughlan
- Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Fairclough
- Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Palatine Road, Manchester, M20 3LI, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Marston
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M. A. Valleley
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge L. Jimenez-Macias
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Antonia Charalambous
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - William Townley
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm Haddrick
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Antonia Wierzbicki
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Wright
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Milène Volpato
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B. Simpson
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Darren E. Treanor
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Neil H. Thomson
- School of Dentistry, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. Loadman
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Bushby
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin R.G. Johnson
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela F. Jones
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - J. Anthony Evans
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Freear
- Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander F. Markham
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen D. Evans
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - P. Louise Coletta
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
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Harmon JN, Celingant-Copie CA, Kabinejadian F, Bull JL. Lipid Shell Retention and Selective Binding Capability Following Repeated Transient Acoustic Microdroplet Vaporization. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:6626-6634. [PMID: 32420747 PMCID: PMC9704545 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy and molecular imaging using ultrasound have been widely explored using microbubble contrast agents, and more recently, activatable droplet contrast agents that vaporize when exposed to focused ultrasound have been explored. These droplets are coated with a stabilizing, functionalizable shell, typically comprised of fully saturated phospholipids. While the shedding of the lipid shell under ultrasound exposure is a well-studied phenomenon in microbubbles, it has not been fully explored in droplet-based contrast agents, particularly in those that undergo a reversible phase change and recondense following vaporization. Here, we investigate the retention of the lipid shell following repeated transient vaporization events. Two separate fluorescent markers were used to track individual lipid subpopulations: PEGylated lipids, to which targeting ligands are typically bound, and non-PEGylated lipids, which primarily contribute to droplet stability. Following confirmation of the homogeneous surface distribution of each subpopulation of shell lipids using confocal microscopy, high-speed optical imaging provided visual evidence of the ability to repeatedly induce vaporization and recondensation in micron-scale droplets using 5.208 MHz, 3.17 MPa focused ultrasound pulses transmitted from an imaging transducer. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that while PEGylated lipids were fully retained following repeated transient phase change events, 20% of the bulk lipids were shed. While this likely contributed to an observed significant reduction in the average droplet diameter, the selective binding capabilities of droplets functionalized with an RGD peptide, targeted to the integrin αvβ3, were not affected. These results indicate that repeated droplet activation may promote shifts in the droplet size distribution but will not influence the accuracy of targeting for therapy or molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Harmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Chloe A Celingant-Copie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Foad Kabinejadian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Joseph L Bull
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
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25
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Recent advances in novel drug delivery systems and approaches for management of breast cancer: A comprehensive review. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2020.101505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Liu H, Gao M, Gu J, Wan X, Wang H, Gu Q, Zhou Y, Sun X. VEGFR1-Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Quantification of Vasculogenic Mimicry Microcirculation in a Mouse Model of Choroidal Melanoma. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:4. [PMID: 32704424 PMCID: PMC7347284 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.3.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Investigate the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation in ocular melanoma, as well as whether or not VEGFR1-targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can evaluate and quantify VM perfusion and function in the ocular melanoma model. Methods The expression of VEGFR1 was examined using immunofluorescence, western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. VM networks were analyzed with tube formation and periodic acid Schiff staining. Targeted microbubbles (MBs) were constructed and used for targeted CEUS imaging in vivo. Comparisons were made in perfusion parameters of tumors between targeted and non-targeted CEUS imaging. Results VEGFR1 was highly expressed, and knockdown of VEGFR1 significantly decreased VM protein expression and disrupted VM formation in MUM-2B melanoma. VEGFR1-targeted MBs specifically bind to MUM-2B cell surfaces. CEUS with VEGFR1-targeted MBs showed significant imaging enhancement throughout the entire perfusion phase compared with CEUS with IgG MBs. VEGFR1-targeted imaging was able to detect a decrease in maximum intensity and mean transit time in VEGFR1 knockdown melanoma compared with control melanoma. The pathological VM patterns were consistent with VEGFR1-targeted CEUS findings. Conclusions VEGFR1 was responsible for VM network formation and was required for efficient choroidal melanoma tumor growth. This study shows that VEGFR1-targeted CEUS can track VM levels in animal models of ocular melanoma at morphological levels in vivo. This experiment is noninvasive and reproducible and indicates the possibility of real-time in vivo imaging technology for VM evaluation. Translational Relevance Based on our study results, VEGFR1 could prove to be a promising treatment that targets VM formation in choroidal melanoma. Our findings also suggest the potential use of VEGFR1-targeted CEUS for quantitative monitoring of VM processes at the molecular level in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiying Gu
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging is a valuable tool for preclinical and clinical diagnostics. The most frequently used ultrasound contrast agents are microbubbles. Besides them, novel nano-sized materials are under investigation, which are briefly discussed in this chapter. For molecular CEUS, the ultrasound contrast agents are modified to actively target disease-associated molecular markers with a site-specific ligand. The most common markers for tumor imaging are related to neoangiogenesis, like the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and αvβ3 integrin. In this chapter, applications of molecular ultrasound to longitudinally monitor receptor expression during tumor growth, to detect neovascularization, and to evaluate therapy responses are described. Furthermore, we report on first clinical trials of molecular CEUS with VEGFR2-targeted phospholipid microbubbles showing promising results regarding patient safety and its ability to detect tumors of prostate, breast, and ovary. The chapter closes with an outlook on ultrasound theranostics, where (targeted) ultrasound contrast agents are used to increase the permeability of tumor tissues and to support drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Baier
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging Organization University Clinics, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Rix
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging Organization University Clinics, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging Organization University Clinics, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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28
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Lau C, Rivas M, Dinalo J, King K, Duddalwar V. Scoping Review of Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agents in the Detection of Angiogenesis. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2020; 39:19-28. [PMID: 31237009 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A systematic search was conducted to categorize targeted ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) used in cancer-related angiogenesis detection. We identified 15 unique contrast agents from 2008 to March 2018. Most primary research articles studied UCAs targeted to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor or αv β3 -integrin. Breast cancer and colon cancer are the most common neoplastic processes in which these agents were studied. BR55 (Bracco Research SA, Geneva, Switzerland), a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-targeting UCA, is the first targeted UCA that has completed phase 0 trials. Our review identifies a gap in the literature regarding the application of targeted UCAs in cancer models beyond breast and colon cancers and identifies other promising UCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lau
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marielena Rivas
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jennifer Dinalo
- Norris Medical Library, Keck School of Medicine, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Kevin King
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Vinay Duddalwar
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, California, Los Angeles, USA
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29
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Bagi Z, Couch Y, Broskova Z, Perez-Balderas F, Yeo T, Davis S, Fischer R, Sibson NR, Davis BG, Anthony DC. Extracellular vesicle integrins act as a nexus for platelet adhesion in cerebral microvessels. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15847. [PMID: 31676801 PMCID: PMC6825169 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) regulate signaling pathways via receptor-ligand interactions and content delivery, after attachment or internalization by endothelial cells. However, they originate from diverse cell populations and are heterogeneous in composition. To determine the effects of specific surface molecules, the use of synthetic EV mimetics permits the study of specific EV receptor-ligand interactions. Here, we used endogenous EVs derived from the circulation of rats, as well as ligand-decorated synthetic microparticles (MPs) to examine the role of integrin αvβ3 in platelet adhesion under flow in structurally intact cerebral arteries. At an intraluminal pressure of 50 mmHg and flow rate of 10 µl/min, platelets were delivered to the artery lumen and imaged with whole-field fluorescent microscopy. Under basal conditions very few platelets bound to the endothelium. However, adhesion events were markedly increased following the introduction of arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-labelled synthetic MPs or endogenously-derived EVs from experimental stroke animals carrying excess RGD proteins, including vitronectin, CD40-ligand and thrombospondin-1. These data, which were generated in a dynamic and physiologically relevant system, demonstrate the importance of vesicle-carried RGD ligands in platelet adherence to the cerebrovascular endothelium and highlight the ability of synthetic EVs to isolate and identify key components of the molecular handshake between EVs and their targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Bagi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom.
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Yvonne Couch
- RDM-Investigative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Zuzana Broskova
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Francisco Perez-Balderas
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tianrong Yeo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Davis
- TDI Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Roman Fischer
- TDI Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Nicola R Sibson
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin G Davis
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel C Anthony
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QT, United Kingdom.
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30
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D'Souza JC, Sultan LR, Hunt SJ, Gade TP, Karmacharya MB, Schultz SM, Brice AK, Wood AKW, Sehgal CM. Microbubble-enhanced ultrasound for the antivascular treatment and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nanotheranostics 2019; 3:331-341. [PMID: 31687321 PMCID: PMC6821993 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.39514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy, and its current management relies heavily on locoregional therapy for curative therapy, bridge to transplant, and palliative therapy. Locoregional therapies include ablation and hepatic artery therapies such as embolization and radioembolization. In this study we evaluate the feasibility of using novel antivascular ultrasound (AVUS) as a noninvasive locoregional therapy to reduce perfusion in HCC lesions in a rat model and, monitor the effect with contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. Methods: HCC was induced in 36 Wistar rats by the ingestion of 0.01% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) for 12 weeks. Two therapy regimens of AVUS were evaluated. A primary regimen (n = 19) utilized 2-W/cm2, 3-MHz ultrasound (US) for 6 minutes insonation with 0.7 ml of microbubbles administered as an intravenous bolus. An alternate dose at half the primary intensity, sonication time, and contrast concentration was evaluated in 11 rats to assess the efficacy of a reduced dose. A control group (n = 6) received a sham therapy. Tumor perfusion was measured before and after AVUS with nonlinear contrast ultrasound (NLC) and power Doppler (PD). The quantitative perfusion measures included perfusion index (PI), peak enhancement (PE), time to peak (TTP), and perfusion area from NLC and PD scans. Total tumor area perfused during the scan was measured by a postprocessing algorithm called delta projection. Tumor histology was evaluated for signs of tissue injury and for vascular changes using CD31 immunohistochemistry. Results: DEN exposure induced autochthonous hepatocellular carcinoma lesions in all rats. Across all groups prior to therapy, there were no significant differences in the nonlinear contrast observations of peak enhancement and perfusion index. In the control group, there were no significant differences in any of the parameters after sham treatment. After the primary AVUS regimen, there were significant changes in all parameters (p ≤ 0.05) indicating substantial decreases in tumor perfusion. Peak enhancement in nonlinear contrast scans showed a 37.9% ± 10.1% decrease in tumor perfusion. Following reduced-dose AVUS, there were no significant changes in perfusion parameters, although there was a trend for the nonlinear contrast observations of peak enhancement and perfusion index to increase. Conclusion: This study translated low-intensity AVUS therapy into a realistic in vivo model of HCC and evaluated its effects on the tumor vasculature. The primary dose of AVUS tested resulted in significant vascular disruption and a corresponding reduction in tumor perfusion. A reduced dose of AVUS, on the other hand, was ineffective at disrupting perfusion but demonstrated the potential for enhancing tumor blood flow. Theranostic ultrasound, where acoustic energy and microbubbles are used to monitor the tumor neovasculature as well as disrupt the vasculature and treat lesions, could serve as a potent tool for delivering noninvasive, locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C. D'Souza
- Ultrasound Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Image-Guided Interventions Lab, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd, 646 BRB II/III Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laith R. Sultan
- Ultrasound Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephen J. Hunt
- Ultrasound Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Image-Guided Interventions Lab, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd, 646 BRB II/III Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Terence P. Gade
- Penn Image-Guided Interventions Lab, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd, 646 BRB II/III Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mrigendra B. Karmacharya
- Ultrasound Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Susan M. Schultz
- Ultrasound Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Angela K. Brice
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew K. W. Wood
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Tsuruta J, White R, Klauber-DeMore N, Dayton PA. Accelerated blood clearance of targeted ultrasound contrast reduced molecular imaging signal intensity: Secreted Frizzled Related Protein-2 signal remained significantly higher than signal from either Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 or alpha Vbeta 3 integrin. IEEE INTERNATIONAL ULTRASONICS SYMPOSIUM : [PROCEEDINGS]. IEEE INTERNATIONAL ULTRASONICS SYMPOSIUM 2019; 2019:407-410. [PMID: 34650779 DOI: 10.1109/ultsym.2019.8925919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Multiple doses of polyethylene glycol (PEG) decorated pharmaceuticals cause accelerated blood clearance (ABC) due to the generation of antibodies reactive to the PEG moiety. Using molecular imaging to monitor response to therapy could be complicated by the ABC effect due to PEG chains in microbubble lipid shells. Our objective was to measure the half-life of targeted contrast flowing through non-tumor tissue during longitudinal imaging studies, and to determine which targeted agent returned the highest signal intensity within tumors. The molecular imaging signals from contrast agents targeted to three distinct molecular targets, Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-2 (SFRP2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2), AlphaVBeta3 Integrin (avb3) were all significantly correlated to contrast half-life. The molecular imaging signal from SFRP2 remained significantly higher than the signal returned by ultrasound contrast targeted to either VEGFR2 or avb3 before and after restricting analyses to imaging exams with similar half-lives. We hypothesize that increasing immune clearance rates during our longitudinal studies limited the amount of targeted contrast able to perfuse tumor vasculature, and that this resulted in a global dose-dependent decrease in molecular imaging signals. Molecular imaging may underestimate biomarker levels as longitudinal studies progress and as contrast half-lives decrease, unless contrast dosing is normalized by the amount of contrast able to reach the tumor and surrounding tissue rather than by the injected dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Tsuruta
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachel White
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nancy Klauber-DeMore
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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32
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Herbst EB, Unnikrishnan S, Klibanov AL, Mauldin FW, Hossack JA. Validation of Normalized Singular Spectrum Area as a Classifier for Molecularly Targeted Microbubble Adherence. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:2493-2501. [PMID: 31227262 PMCID: PMC7480935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound molecular imaging is a diagnostic technique wherein molecularly targeted microbubble contrast agents are imaged to reveal disease markers on the blood vessel endothelium. Currently, microbubble adhesion to affected tissue can be quantified using differential targeted enhancement (dTE), which measures the late enhancement of adherent microbubbles through administration of destructive ultrasound pressures. In this study, we investigated a statistical parameter called the normalized singular spectrum area (NSSA) as a means to detect microbubble adhesion without microbubble destruction. We compared the signal differentiation capability of NSSA with matched dTE measurements in a mouse hindlimb tumor model. Results indicated that NSSA-based signal classification performance matches dTE when differentiating adherent microbubble from non-adherent microbubble signals (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve = 0.95), and improves classification performance when differentiating microbubble from tissue signals (p < 0.005). NSSA-based signal classification eliminates the need for destruction of contrast, and may offer better sensitivity, specificity and the opportunity for real-time microbubble detection and classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Herbst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Sunil Unnikrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - F William Mauldin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - John A Hossack
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Harmon JN, Kabinejadian F, Seda R, Fabiilli ML, Kuruvilla S, Kuo CC, Greve JM, Fowlkes JB, Bull JL. Minimally invasive gas embolization using acoustic droplet vaporization in a rodent model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11040. [PMID: 31363130 PMCID: PMC6667465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Many patients are not eligible for curative therapies, such as surgical resection of the tumor or a liver transplant. Transarterial embolization is one therapy clinically used in these cases; however, this requires a long procedure and careful placement of an intraarterial catheter. Gas embolization has been proposed as a fast, easily administered, more spatially selective, and less invasive alternative. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of using acoustic droplet vaporization to noninvasively generate gas emboli within vasculature. Intravital microscopy experiments were performed using the rat cremaster muscle to visually observe the formation of occlusions. Large gas emboli were produced within the vasculature in the rat cremaster, effectively occluding blood flow. Following these experiments, the therapeutic efficacy of gas embolization was investigated in an ectopic xenograft model of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. The treatment group exhibited a significantly lower final tumor volume (ANOVA, p = 0.008) and growth rate than control groups - tumor growth was completely halted. Additionally, treated tumors exhibited significant necrosis as determined by histological analysis. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of gas embolotherapy in a tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Harmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Foad Kabinejadian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Robinson Seda
- Data Office for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sibu Kuruvilla
- Department of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Cathleen C Kuo
- Department of Neuroscience, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Joan M Greve
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - J Brian Fowlkes
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph L Bull
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
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Advances in the strategies for designing receptor-targeted molecular imaging probes for cancer research. J Control Release 2019; 305:1-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Otani K, Kamiya A, Miyazaki T, Koga A, Inatomi A, Harada-Shiba M. Surface Modification with Lactadherin Augments the Attachment of Sonazoid Microbubbles to Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:1455-1465. [PMID: 30857759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-carrying microbubbles (MBs) have been utilized as a specific contrast agent for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (αIIbβ3 integrin)-expressing activated platelets in ultrasound molecular imaging. Recently, we found that surface modification with lactadherin provides the RGD motif on the surface of phosphatidylserine-containing clinically available MBs, Sonazoid. Here, we examined the potential of lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid MBs to be targeted MBs for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa using the custom-designed in vitro settings with recombinant αIIbβ3 integrin, activated platelets or erythrocyte-rich human clots. By modification of the surface with lactadherin, a large number of Sonazoid MBs were attached to the αIIbβ3 integrin-coated and platelet-immobilized plate. Additionally, the video intensity of clots after incubation with lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid MBs was significantly higher than that with unmodified Sonazoid MBs, implying the number of attached Sonazoid MBs was increased by the modification with lactadherin. Our results suggest that the lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid MBs have the potential to be thrombus-targeted MBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Otani
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Atsunori Kamiya
- Department of Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takahiro Miyazaki
- Department of Cell Biology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ayumi Koga
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ayako Inatomi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Harada-Shiba
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan; Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Rojas JD, Dayton PA. In Vivo Molecular Imaging Using Low-Boiling-Point Phase-Change Contrast Agents: A Proof of Concept Study. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:177-191. [PMID: 30318123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sub-micron phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) have been proposed as a tool for ultrasound molecular imaging based on their potential to extravasate and target extravascular markers and also because of the potential to image these contrast agents with a high contrast-to-tissue ratio. We compare in vivo ultrasound molecular imaging with targeted low-boiling-point PCCAs and targeted microbubble contrast agents. Both agents were targeted to the intravascular (endothelial) integrin αvß3via a cyclic RGD peptide (cyclo-Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Cys) mechanism and imaged in vivo in a rodent fibrosarcoma model, which exhibits angiogenic microvasculature. Signal intensity was measured using two different techniques, conventional contrast-specific imaging (amplitude/phase modulation) and a droplet vaporization imaging sequence, which detects the unique signature of vaporizing PCCAs. Data indicate that PCCA-specific imaging is more sensitive to small numbers of bound agents than conventional contrast imaging. However, data also revealed that contrast from targeted microbubbles was greater than that provided by PCCAs. Both control and targeted PCCAs were observed to be retained in tissue post-vaporization, which was expected for targeted agents but not expected for control agents. The exact mechanism underlying this observation remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rojas
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Pulsipher KW, Hammer DA, Lee D, Sehgal CM. Engineering Theranostic Microbubbles Using Microfluidics for Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy: A Review. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:2441-2460. [PMID: 30241729 PMCID: PMC6643280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Microbubbles interact with ultrasound in various ways to enable their applications in ultrasound imaging and diagnosis. To generate high contrast and maximize therapeutic efficacy, microbubbles of high uniformity are required. Microfluidic technology, which enables precise control of small volumes of fluid at the sub-millimeter scale, has provided a versatile platform on which to produce highly uniform microbubbles for potential applications in ultrasound imaging and diagnosis. Here, we describe fundamental microfluidic principles and the most common types of microfluidic devices used to produce sub-10 μm microbubbles, appropriate for biomedical ultrasound. Bubbles can be engineered for specific applications by tailoring the bubble size, inner gas and shell composition and by functionalizing for additional imaging modalities, therapeutics or targeting ligands. To translate the laboratory-scale discoveries to widespread clinical use of these microfluidic-based microbubbles, increased bubble production is needed. We present various strategies recently developed to improve scale-up. We conclude this review by describing some outstanding problems in the field and presenting areas for future use of microfluidics in ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Pulsipher
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chandra M Sehgal
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Wischhusen J, Wilson KE, Delcros JG, Molina-Peña R, Gibert B, Jiang S, Ngo J, Goldschneider D, Mehlen P, Willmann JK, Padilla F. Ultrasound molecular imaging as a non-invasive companion diagnostic for netrin-1 interference therapy in breast cancer. Theranostics 2018; 8:5126-5142. [PMID: 30429890 PMCID: PMC6217066 DOI: 10.7150/thno.27221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI), ligand-functionalized microbubbles (MBs) are used to visualize vascular endothelial targets. Netrin-1 is upregulated in 60% of metastatic breast cancers and promotes tumor progression. A novel netrin-1 interference therapy requires the assessment of netrin-1 expression prior to treatment. In this study, we studied netrin-1 as a target for USMI and its potential as a companion diagnostic in breast cancer models. Methods: To verify netrin-1 expression and localization, an in vivo immuno-localization approach was applied, in which anti-netrin-1 antibody was injected into living mice 24 h before tumor collection, and revealed with secondary fluorescent antibody for immunofluorescence analysis. Netrin-1 interactions with the cell surface were studied by flow cytometry. Netrin-1-targeted MBs were prepared using MicroMarker Target-Ready (VisualSonics), and validated in in vitro binding assays in static conditions or in a flow chamber using purified netrin-1 protein or netrin-1-expressing cancer cells. In vivo USMI of netrin-1 was validated in nude mice bearing human netrin-1-positive SKBR7 tumors or weakly netrin-1-expressing MDA-MB-231 tumors using the Vevo 2100 small animal imaging device (VisualSonics). USMI feasibility was further tested in transgenic murine FVB/N Tg(MMTV/PyMT634Mul) (MMTV-PyMT) mammary tumors. Results: Netrin-1 co-localized with endothelial CD31 in netrin-1-positive breast tumors. Netrin-1 binding to the surface of endothelial HUVEC and cancer cells was partially mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans. MBs targeted with humanized monoclonal anti-netrin-1 antibody bound to netrin-1-expressing cancer cells in static and dynamic conditions. USMI signal was significantly increased with anti-netrin-1 MBs in human SKBR7 breast tumors and transgenic murine MMTV-PyMT mammary tumors compared to signals recorded with either isotype control MBs or after blocking of netrin-1 with humanized monoclonal anti-netrin-1 antibody. In weakly netrin-1-expressing human tumors and normal mammary glands, no difference in imaging signal was observed with anti-netrin-1- and isotype control MBs. Ex vivo analysis confirmed netrin-1 expression in MMTV-PyMT tumors. Conclusions: These results show that USMI allowed reliable detection of netrin-1 on the endothelium of netrin-1-positive human and murine tumors. Significant differences in USMI signal for netrin-1 reflected the significant differences in netrin-1 mRNA & protein expression observed between different breast tumor models. The imaging approach was non-invasive and safe, and provided the netrin-1 expression status in near real-time. Thus, USMI of netrin-1 has the potential to become a companion diagnostic for the stratification of patients for netrin-1 interference therapy in future clinical trials.
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Shan R, Wang B, Wang A, Sun Z, Dong F, Liu J, Sun H. Endoglin-targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in hepatoblastoma xenografts. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:3784-3790. [PMID: 30127989 PMCID: PMC6096263 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is required for the growth of hepatoblastoma (HB). In the present study, an ultrasonic contrast agent, microbubbles (MB), was combined with an endoglin antibody, and then injected into nude mice with HB. This was conducted to detect specific binding to microvessels via non-linear harmonic imaging for tumor angiogenesis assessment. In addition, endoglin expression in experimental animals was measured using western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with conditioned media collected from HepG2 cells. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the changes of endoglin expression. In targeted ultrasound imaging, it was determined that the differential targeted enhancement of MBendoglin was significantly higher than that of MBisotype. Over expression of endoglin was identified in the tumor of experimental nude mice; however, it was not present in the liver of the mice. Endoglin expression in HUVECs was significantly increased by co-culture with the conditioned media of HepG2 cells; therefore, the results suggest that endoglin is upregulated in angiogenic vessels in the HepG2 cell xenografts in nude mice. Thus, endoglin-targeted ultrasound imaging is presented as a potential approach for the diagnosis of liver carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Shan
- Department of Ultrasonography, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China.,Department of Ultrasound, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Bei Wang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Aiguang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Zongguo Sun
- The Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- The Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Ju Liu
- The Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hongjun Sun
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Otani K, Nishimura H, Kamiya A, Harada-Shiba M. Simplified Preparation of α vβ 3 Integrin-Targeted Microbubbles Based on a Clinically Available Ultrasound Contrast Agent: Validation in a Tumor-Bearing Mouse Model. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1063-1073. [PMID: 29501282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The usefulness of ultrasound molecular imaging with αvβ3 integrin-targeted microbubbles for detecting tumor angiogenesis has been demonstrated. Recently, we developed αvβ3 integrin-targeted microbubbles by modifying clinically available microbubbles (Sonazoid, Daiichi-Sankyo Pharmaceuticals, Tokyo, Japan) with a secreted glycoprotein (lactadherin). The aims of our present study were to simplify the preparation of lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid and to examine the diagnostic utility of lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid for αvβ3 integrin-expressing tumor vessels by using SK-OV-3-tumor-bearing mice. By incubating 1.2 × 107 Sonazoid microbubbles with 1.0 µg lactadherin, the complicated washing and centrifugation steps during the microbubble preparation could be omitted with no significant reduction in labeling ratio of lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid. In addition, the number of Sonazoid microbubbles accumulated in the SK-OV-3 tumor was significantly increased by modifying Sonazoid with lactadherin. Our data suggest that the lactadherin-bearing Sonazoid is an easily prepared and potentially clinically translatable targeted microbubble for αvβ3 integrin-expressing vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Otani
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Hirohito Nishimura
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsunori Kamiya
- Department of Cardiovascular Dynamics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Harada-Shiba
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan; Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Xu L, Du J, Wan C, Zhang Y, Xie S, Li H, Yang H, Li F. Ultrasound molecular imaging of breast cancer in MCF-7 orthotopic mice using gold nanoshelled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocapsules: a novel dual-targeted ultrasound contrast agent. Int J Nanomedicine 2018; 13:1791-1807. [PMID: 29606871 PMCID: PMC5868579 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s153993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of nanoscale molecularly targeted ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) with high affinity and specificity is critical for ultrasound molecular imaging in the early detection of breast cancer. PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate ultrasound molecular imaging with dual-targeted gold nanoshelled poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) nanocapsules carrying vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2) and p53 antibodies (DNCs) in MCF-7 orthotopic mice model. METHODS DNCs were fabricated with an inner PLGA and outer gold nanoshell spherical structure. Its targeting capabilities were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry (FCM) in vitro. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS) with DNCs was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively in vitro and in MCF-7 orthotopic mice model by two different systems. The biodistribution of NCs in mice was preliminary investigated. Differences were calculated by using analysis of variance. RESULTS DNCs showed a well-defined spherical morphology with an average diameter of 276.90±110.50 nm. In vitro, DNCs exhibited high target specificities (79.01±5.63% vs. 2.11±1.07%, P<0.01; 75.54±6.58% vs. 5.21±3.12%, P<0.01) in VEGFR2- and p53-positive cells compared with control cells. In vivo, CEUS displayed a significantly higher video intensity in two systems using DNCs in comparison with non-targeted PLGA@Au NCs and single-targeted NCs. Biodistribution studies revealed that more DNCs in breast cancer tissue could be detected in mice than in other NCs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION DNCs were demonstrated to be novel dual-targeted UCAs and may have potential applications in early non-invasive visualization of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Du
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caifeng Wan
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaowei Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Environmental Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenghua Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Rong N, Zhou H, Liu R, Wang Y, Fan Z. Ultrasound and microbubble mediated plasmid DNA uptake: A fast, global and multi-mechanisms involved process. J Control Release 2018; 273:40-50. [PMID: 29407677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound application combined with microbubbles has shown great potential for intracellular gene delivery. However, the fundamental mechanistic question of how plasmid DNA enters the intracellular space mediated by ultrasound and microbubble has not been fully explored and understood. The goal of this study is to unveil the detailed intracellular uptake process of plasmid DNA stimulated by ultrasound and microbubbles, uniquely highlighting the role of microbubbles play in this process. The usage of targeted microbubbles pinpointed the subcellular membrane site, where ultrasound exerted acoustic force onto the cell membrane. With the combination of high-speed video microscopy and 3D confocal fluorescence microscopy, we show the spatiotemporal correlation between the microbubble dynamics and intracellular plasmid DNA distribution. Two ultrasound modes (high pressure short pulse and low pressure long pulse) were chosen to trigger different plasmid DNA uptake routes. We found that reversible cell membrane disruption, induced by high pressure short pulse ultrasound, permitted plasmid DNA passage across cell membrane, but not in an exclusive way. Under both ultrasound modes, with or without cell membrane disruption, global plasmid DNA internalization, even nuclear-localization, was observed immediately post ultrasound application. Our results show that plasmid DNA uptake evoked by localized acoustically excited microbubbles is a fast (<2min), global (not limited to the site where microbubbles were attached), and multi-mechanisms involved process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Rong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ruming Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhenzhen Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Acoustics, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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Wang S, Hossack JA, Klibanov AL. Targeting of microbubbles: contrast agents for ultrasound molecular imaging. J Drug Target 2018; 26:420-434. [PMID: 29258335 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2017.1419362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For contrast ultrasound imaging, the most efficient contrast agents comprise highly compressible gas-filled microbubbles. These micrometer-sized particles are typically filled with low-solubility perfluorocarbon gases, and coated with a thin shell, often a lipid monolayer. These particles circulate in the bloodstream for several minutes; they demonstrate good safety and are already in widespread clinical use as blood pool agents with very low dosage necessary (sub-mg per injection). As ultrasound is an ubiquitous medical imaging modality, with tens of millions of exams conducted annually, its use for molecular/targeted imaging of biomarkers of disease may enable wider implementation of personalised medicine applications, precision medicine, non-invasive quantification of biomarkers, targeted guidance of biopsy and therapy in real time. To achieve this capability, microbubbles are decorated with targeting ligands, possessing specific affinity towards vascular biomarkers of disease, such as tumour neovasculature or areas of inflammation, ischaemia-reperfusion injury or ischaemic memory. Once bound to the target, microbubbles can be selectively visualised to delineate disease location by ultrasound imaging. This review discusses the general design trends and approaches for such molecular ultrasound imaging agents, which are currently at the advanced stages of development, and are evolving towards widespread clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Wang
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - John A Hossack
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b Cardiovascular Division (Department of Medicine), Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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44
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Rojas JD, Lin F, Chiang YC, Chytil A, Chong DC, Bautch VL, Rathmell WK, Dayton PA. Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of VEGFR-2 in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Tracks Disease Response to Antiangiogenic and Notch-Inhibition Therapy. Theranostics 2018; 8:141-155. [PMID: 29290798 PMCID: PMC5743465 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) affects thousands of patients worldwide each year. Antiangiogenic therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects initially, but resistance is eventually developed. Therefore, it is important to accurately track the response of cancer to different therapeutics in order to appropriately adjust the therapy to maximize efficacy. Change in tumor volume is the current gold standard for determining efficacy of treatment. However, functional variations can occur much earlier than measurable volume changes. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an important tool for assessing tumor progression and response to therapy, since it can monitor functional changes in the physiology. In this study, we demonstrate how ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI) can accurately track the evolution of the disease and molecular response to treatment. Methods A cohort of NSG (NOD/scid/gamma) mice was injected with ccRCC cells and treated with either the VEGF inhibitor SU (Sunitinib malate, Selleckchem, TX, USA) or the Notch pathway inhibitor GSI (Gamma secretase inhibitor, PF-03084014, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA), or started on SU and later switched to GSI (Switch group). The therapies used in the study focus on disrupting angiogenesis and proper vessel development. SU inhibits signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the sprouting of new vasculature, and GSI inhibits the Notch pathway, which is a key factor in the correct maturation of newly formed vasculature. Microbubble contrast agents targeted to VEGFR-2 (VEGF Receptor) were delivered as a bolus, and the bound agents were imaged in 3D after the free-flowing contrast was cleared from the body. Additionally, the tumors were harvested at the end of the study and stained for CD31. Results The results show that MI can detect changes in VEGFR-2 expression in the group treated with SU within a week of the start of treatment, while differences in volume only become apparent after the mice have been treated for three weeks. Furthermore, USMI can detect response to therapy in 92% of cases after 1 week of treatment, while the detection rate is only 40% for volume measurements. The amount of targeting for the GSI and Control groups was high throughout the duration of the study, while that of the SU and Switch groups remained low. However, the amount of targeting in the Switch group increased to levels similar to those of the Control group after the treatment was switched to GSI. CD31 staining indicates significantly lower levels of patent vasculature for the SU group compared to the Control and GSI groups. Therefore, the results parallel the expected physiological changes in the tumor, since GSI promotes angiogenesis through the VEGF pathway, while SU inhibits it. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MI can track disease progression and assess functional changes in tumors before changes in volume are apparent, and thus, CEUS can be a valuable tool for assessing response to therapy in disease. Future work is required to determine whether levels of VEGFR-2 targeting correlate with eventual survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rojas
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Fanglue Lin
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Yun-Chen Chiang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Anna Chytil
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Diana C Chong
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Victoria L Bautch
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - W Kimryn Rathmell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Yang Y, Qiu Z, Hou X, Sun L. Ultrasonic Characteristics and Cellular Properties of Anabaena Gas Vesicles. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:2862-2870. [PMID: 28889941 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging is a common modality in clinical examination and biomedical research, but has not played a significant role in molecular imaging for lack of an appropriate contrast agent. Recently, biogenic gas vesicles (GVs), naturally formed by cyanobacteria and haloarchaea, have exhibited great potential as an ultrasound molecular imaging probe with a much smaller size (∼100 nm) and improved imaging contrast. However, the basic acoustic and biological properties of GVs remain unclear, which hinders future application. Here, we studied the fundamental acoustic properties of a rod-shaped gas vesicle from Anabaena, a kind of cyanobacterium, including attenuation, oscillation resonance, and scattering, as well as biological behaviors (cellular internalization and cytotoxicity). We found that GVs have two resonance peaks (85 and 120 MHz). We also observed a significant non-linear effect and its pressure dependence as well. Ultrasound B-mode imaging reveals sufficient echogenicity of GVs for ultrasound imaging enhancement at high frequencies. Biological characterization also reveals endocytosis and non-toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoheng Yang
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hong, Hong Kong SA
| | - Zhihai Qiu
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hong, Hong Kong SA
| | - Xuandi Hou
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hong, Hong Kong SA
| | - Lei Sun
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hong, Hong Kong SA.
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Jiang ZZ, Liu XT, Ma CY, He C, Li XY, Hou CL, Cheng ZS, Xia GY. Detection of Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Rabbit Aorta Using Ultrasound Microbubbles Conjugated to Interleukin-18 Antibodies. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:5446-5454. [PMID: 29142190 PMCID: PMC5701460 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to investigate the ability of microbubbles (MBs) targeting interleukin-18 (IL-18) to detect plaques in a rabbit atherosclerotic plaque model. MATERIAL AND METHODS A rabbit atherosclerotic plaque model was established. The locations of the atherosclerotic plaques were verified by two-dimensional scanning and color Doppler flow imaging. An IL-18 antibody was conjugated to naked MBs (MBc) using the biotin-streptavidin conjugation method, resulting in the formation of MBIL-18. MBc and MBIL-18 were then used for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) studies. The locations of CD34 and IL-18 within the plaques were determined by immunohistochemistry, and IL-18 expression levels in the plaques were determined by Western blot analysis. The relationships between IL-18 expression and the contrast intensity of the 2 MBs were analyzed. RESULTS MBc and MBIL-18 were both uniformly dispersed. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that IL-18 was successfully conjugated to MBs. CEUS images showed that the intensity of the MBIL-18 signal was substantially enhanced and prolonged compared with that of the MBc signal. Immunohistochemistry showed that CD34 expression was significantly increased in the plaques and that IL-18 was mainly located in the inner parts and base of the atherosclerotic plaques. Western blot analysis revealed that IL-18 expression was higher in the plaque regions. Correlation analysis showed that IL-18 expression was correlated with the contrast intensity of MBIL-18 (r=0.903, P<0.05) but not with MBc (r=0.540, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS MBs targeting IL-18 may be a novel, noninvasive method of diagnosing atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xia-Tian Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Cai-Ye Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Cong He
- Department of Radiology, Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xing-Yun Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Chuan-Lin Hou
- Department of Pathology, Shaoxing People`s Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zu-Sheng Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Shaoxing Seventh Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Guo-Yuan Xia
- Department of Ultrasound, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University), Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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The Use of Acoustic Radiation Force Decorrelation-Weighted Pulse Inversion for Enhanced Ultrasound Contrast Imaging. Invest Radiol 2017; 52:95-102. [PMID: 27495188 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of ultrasound imaging for cancer diagnosis and screening can be enhanced with the use of molecularly targeted microbubbles. Nonlinear imaging strategies such as pulse inversion (PI) and "contrast pulse sequences" (CPS) can be used to differentiate microbubble signal, but often fail to suppress highly echogenic tissue interfaces. This failure results in false-positive detection and potential misdiagnosis. In this study, a novel acoustic radiation force (ARF)-based approach was developed for superior microbubble signal detection. The feasibility of this technique, termed ARF decorrelation-weighted PI (ADW-PI), was demonstrated in vivo using a subcutaneous mouse tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumors were implanted in the hindlimb of C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injection of MC38 cells. Lipid-shelled microbubbles were conjugated to anti-VEGFR2 antibody and administered via bolus injection. An image sequence using ARF pulses to generate microbubble motion was combined with PI imaging on a Verasonics Vantage programmable scanner. ADW-PI images were generated by combining PI images with interframe signal decorrelation data. For comparison, CPS images of the same mouse tumor were acquired using a Siemens Sequoia clinical scanner. RESULTS Microbubble-bound regions in the tumor interior exhibited significantly higher signal decorrelation than static tissue (n = 9, P < 0.001). The application of ARF significantly increased microbubble signal decorrelation (n = 9, P < 0.01). Using these decorrelation measurements, ADW-PI imaging demonstrated significantly improved microbubble contrast-to-tissue ratio when compared with corresponding CPS or PI images (n = 9, P < 0.001). Contrast-to-tissue ratio improved with ADW-PI by approximately 3 dB compared with PI images and 2 dB compared with CPS images. CONCLUSIONS Acoustic radiation force can be used to generate adherent microbubble signal decorrelation without microbubble bursting. When combined with PI, measurements of the resulting microbubble signal decorrelation can be used to reconstruct images that exhibit superior suppression of highly echogenic tissue interfaces when compared with PI or CPS alone.
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Assessment of Molecular Acoustic Angiography for Combined Microvascular and Molecular Imaging in Preclinical Tumor Models. Mol Imaging Biol 2017; 19:194-202. [PMID: 27519522 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-016-0991-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purposes of the present study is to evaluate a new ultrasound molecular imaging approach in its ability to image a preclinical tumor model and to investigate the capacity to visualize and quantify co-registered microvascular and molecular imaging volumes. PROCEDURES Molecular imaging using the new technique was compared with a conventional ultrasound molecular imaging technique (multi-pulse imaging) by varying the injected microbubble dose and scanning each animal using both techniques. Each of the 14 animals was randomly assigned one of three doses; bolus dose was varied, and the animals were imaged for three consecutive days so that each animal received every dose. A microvascular scan was also acquired for each animal by administering an infusion of nontargeted microbubbles. These scans were paired with co-registered molecular images (VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles), the vessels were segmented, and the spatial relationships between vessels and VEGFR2 targeting locations were analyzed. In five animals, an additional scan was performed in which the animal received a bolus of microbubbles targeted to E- and P-selectins. Vessel tortuosity as a function of distance from VEGF and selectin targeting was analyzed in these animals. RESULTS Although resulting differences in image intensity due to varying microbubble dose were not significant between the two lowest doses, superharmonic imaging had significantly higher contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) than multi-pulse imaging (mean across all doses 13.98 dB for molecular acoustic angiography vs. 0.53 dB for multi-pulse imaging; p = 4.9 × 10-10). Analysis of registered microvascular and molecular imaging volumes indicated that vessel tortuosity decreases with increasing distance from both VEGFR2- and selectin-targeting sites. CONCLUSIONS Molecular acoustic angiography (superharmonic molecular imaging) exhibited a significant increase in CTR at all doses tested due to superior rejection of tissue artifact signals. Due to the high resolution of acoustic angiography molecular imaging, it is possible to analyze spatial relationships in aligned microvascular and molecular superharmonic imaging volumes. Future studies are required to separate the effects of biomarker expression and blood flow kinetics in comparing local tortuosity differences between different endothelial markers such as VEGFR2, E-selectin, and P-selectin.
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Tamarov K, Sviridov A, Xu W, Malo M, Andreev V, Timoshenko V, Lehto VP. Nano Air Seeds Trapped in Mesoporous Janus Nanoparticles Facilitate Cavitation and Enhance Ultrasound Imaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:35234-35243. [PMID: 28921952 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b11007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The current contrast agents utilized in ultrasound (US) imaging are based on microbubbles which suffer from a short lifetime in systemic circulation. The present study introduces a new type of contrast agent for US imaging based on bioresorbable Janus nanoparticles (NPs) that are able to generate microbubbles in situ under US radiation for extended time. The Janus NPs are based on porous silicon (PSi) that was modified via a nanostopper technique. The technique was exploited to prepare PSi NPs which had hydrophobic pore walls (inner face), while the external surfaces of the NPs (outer face) were hydrophilic. As a consequence, when dispersed in an aqueous solution, the Janus NPs contained a substantial amount of air trapped in their nanopores. The specific experimental setup was developed to prove that these nano air seeds were indeed acting as nuclei for microbubble growth during US radiation. Using the setup, the cavitation thresholds of the Janus NPs were compared to their completely hydrophilic counterparts by detecting the subharmonic signals from the microbubbles. These experiments and the numerical simulations of the bubble dynamics demonstrated that the Janus NPs generated microbubbles with a radii of 1.1 μm. Furthermore, the microbubbles generated by the NPs were detected with a conventional medical ultrasound imaging device. Long systemic circulation time was ensured by grafting the NPs with two different PEG polymers, which did not affect adversely the microbubble generation. The present findings represent an important landmark in the development of ultrasound contrast agents which possess the properties for both diagnostics and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Tamarov
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , Faculty of Physics, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- University of Eastern Finland , Department of Applied Physics, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andrey Sviridov
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , Faculty of Physics, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Wujun Xu
- University of Eastern Finland , Department of Applied Physics, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Markus Malo
- University of Eastern Finland , Department of Applied Physics, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Valery Andreev
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , Faculty of Physics, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Timoshenko
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , Faculty of Physics, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vesa-Pekka Lehto
- University of Eastern Finland , Department of Applied Physics, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
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