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Hsiao MY, Liao D, Xiang G, Zhong P. Intercellular Calcium Waves and Permeability Change Induced by Vertically Deployed Surface Acoustic Waves in a Human Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cell Line (hCMEC/D3) Monolayer. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1153-1163. [PMID: 36764884 PMCID: PMC10050144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening with microbubbles has been widely employed, while recent studies also indicate the possibility that ultrasound alone can open the BBB through a direct mechanical effect. However, the exact mechanisms through which ultrasound interacts with the BBB and whether it can directly trigger intracellular signaling and a permeability change in the BBB endothelium remain unclear. METHODS Vertically deployed surface acoustic waves (VD-SAWs) were applied on a human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) monolayer using a 33-MHz interdigital transducer that exerts shear stress-predominant stimulation. The intracellular calcium response was measured by fluorescence imaging, and the permeability of the hCMEC/D3 monolayer was assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). DISCUSSION At a certain intensity threshold, VD-SAWs induced an intracellular calcium surge that propagated to adjacent cells as intercellular calcium waves. VD-SAWs induced a TEER decrease in a pulse repetition frequency-dependent manner, thereby suggesting possible involvement of the mechanosensitive ion channels. CONCLUSION The unique VD-SAW system enables more physiological mechanical stimulation of the endothelium monolayer. Moreover, it can be easily combined with other measurement devices, providing a useful platform for further mechanistic studies on ultrasound-mediated BBB opening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yen Hsiao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Defei Liao
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gaoming Xiang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pei Zhong
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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2
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Figarol A, Olive L, Joubert O, Ferrari L, Rihn BH, Sarry F, Beyssen D. Biological Effects and Applications of Bulk and Surface Acoustic Waves on In Vitro Cultured Mammal Cells: New Insights. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051166. [PMID: 35625902 PMCID: PMC9139135 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical imaging has relied on ultrasound (US) as an exploratory method for decades. Nonetheless, in cell biology, the numerous US applications are mainly in the research and development phase. In this review, we report the main effects on human or mammal cells of US induced by bulk or surface acoustic waves (SAW). At low frequencies, bulk US can lead to cell death. Under specific intensities and exposure times, however, cell proliferation and migration can be enhanced through cytoskeleton fluidization (a reorganization of the actin filaments and microtubules). Cavitation phenomena, frequencies of resonance close to those of the biological compounds, and mechanical transfers of energy from the acoustic pressure could explain those biological outcomes. At higher frequencies, no cavitation is observed. However, USs of high frequency stimulate ionic channels and increase cell permeability and transfection potency. Surface acoustic waves are increasingly exploited in microfluidics, especially for precise cell manipulations and cell sorting. With applications in diagnosis, infection, cancer treatment, or wound healing, US has remarkable potential. More mechanotransduction studies would be beneficial to understand the distinct roles of temperature rise, acoustic streaming and mechanical and electrical stimuli in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Figarol
- Institut FEMTO-ST, UMR CNRS 6174, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France;
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Lucile Olive
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Olivier Joubert
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Luc Ferrari
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Bertrand H. Rihn
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Frédéric Sarry
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Denis Beyssen
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR CNRS 7198, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France; (L.O.); (O.J.); (L.F.); (B.H.R.); (F.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-61-448-6182
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Şen Ö, Marino A, Pucci C, Ciofani G. Modulation of anti-angiogenic activity using ultrasound-activated nutlin-loaded piezoelectric nanovectors. Mater Today Bio 2022; 13:100196. [PMID: 35005600 PMCID: PMC8717239 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a fundamental role in tumor development, as it is crucial for tumor progression, metastasis development, and invasion. In this view, anti-angiogenic therapy has received considerable attention in several cancer types in order to inhibit tumor vascularization, and the progress of nanotechnology offers opportunities to target and release anti-angiogenic agents in specific diseased areas. In this work, we showed that the angiogenic behavior of human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells can be inhibited by using nutlin-3a-loaded ApoE-functionalized polymeric piezoelectric nanoparticles, which can remotely respond to ultrasound stimulation. The anti-angiogenic effect, derived from the use of chemotherapy and chronic piezoelectric stimulation, leads to disruption of tubular vessel formation, decreased cell migration and invasion, and inhibition of angiogenic growth factors in the presence of migratory cues released by the tumor cells. Overall, the proposed use of remotely activated piezoelectric nanoparticles could provide a promising approach to hinder tumor-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Şen
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Attilio Marino
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pucci
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
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Shen X, Song Z, Xu E, Zhou J, Yan F. Sensitization of nerve cells to ultrasound stimulation through Piezo1-targeted microbubbles. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2021; 73:105494. [PMID: 33640571 PMCID: PMC7921623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Neuromodulation by ultrasound (US) has recently drawn considerable attention due to its great advantages in noninvasiveness, high penetrability across the skull and highly focusable acoustic energy. However, the mechanisms and safety from US irradiation still remain less understood. Recently, documents revealed Piezo1, a mechanosensitive cation channel, plays key role in converting mechanical stimuli from US through its trimeric propeller-like structure. Here, we developed a Piezo1-targeted microbubble (PTMB) which can bind to the extracellular domains of Piezo1 channel. Due to the higher responsiveness of bubbles to mechanical stimuli from US, significantly lower US energy for these PTMB-binding cells may be needed to open these mechanosensitive channels. Our results showed US energy at 0.03 MPa of peak negative pressure can achieve an equivalent level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ transients which generally needs 0.17 MPa US intensity for the control cells. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevations were greatly reduced by chelating extracellular calcium ions or using the cationic ion channel inhibitors, confirming that US-mediated calcium influx are dependent on the Piezo1 channels. No bubble destruction and obvious temperature increase were observed during the US exposure, indicating cavitation and heating effects hardly participate in the process of Ca2+ transients. In conclusion, our study provides a novel strategy to sensitize the response of nerve cells to US stimulation, which makes it safer application for US-mediated neuromodulation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Shen
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Department of Ultrasound, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, Hubei 443000, China
| | - Zhuqing Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Erjiao Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, Hubei 443000, China.
| | - Fei Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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5
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Lee NS, Yoon CW, Wang Q, Moon S, Koo KM, Jung H, Chen R, Jiang L, Lu G, Fernandez A, Chow RH, Weitz AC, Salvaterra PM, Pinaud F, Shung KK. Focused Ultrasound Stimulates ER Localized Mechanosensitive PANNEXIN-1 to Mediate Intracellular Calcium Release in Invasive Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:504. [PMID: 32656213 PMCID: PMC7325310 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a rapidly developing stimulus technology with the potential to uncover novel mechanosensory dependent cellular processes. Since it is non-invasive, it holds great promise for future therapeutic applications in patients used either alone or as a complement to boost existing treatments. For example, FUS stimulation causes invasive but not non-invasive cancer cell lines to exhibit marked activation of calcium signaling pathways. Here, we identify the membrane channel PANNEXIN1 (PANX1) as a mediator for activation of calcium signaling in invasive cancer cells. Knockdown of PANX1 decreases calcium signaling in invasive cells, while PANX1 overexpression enhances calcium elevations in non-invasive cancer cells. We demonstrate that FUS may directly stimulate mechanosensory PANX1 localized in endoplasmic reticulum to evoke calcium release from internal stores. This process does not depend on mechanosensory stimulus transduction through an intact cytoskeleton and does not depend on plasma membrane localized PANX1. Plasma membrane localized PANX1, however, plays a different role in mediating the spread of intercellular calcium waves via ATP release. Additionally, we show that FUS stimulation evokes cytokine/chemokine release from invasive cancer cells, suggesting that FUS could be an important new adjuvant treatment to improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sook Lee
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Qing Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sunho Moon
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kweon Mo Koo
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hayong Jung
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ruimin Chen
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Laiming Jiang
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Gengxi Lu
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Antony Fernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert H Chow
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrew C Weitz
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Paul M Salvaterra
- Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Fabien Pinaud
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Youn S, Lee K, Son J, Yang IH, Hwang JY. Fully-automatic deep learning-based analysis for determination of the invasiveness of breast cancer cells in an acoustic trap. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:2976-2995. [PMID: 32637236 PMCID: PMC7316006 DOI: 10.1364/boe.390558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A single-beam acoustic trapping technique has been shown to be very useful for determining the invasiveness of suspended breast cancer cells in an acoustic trap with a manual calcium analysis method. However, for the rapid translation of the technology into the clinic, the development of an efficient/accurate analytical method is needed. We, therefore, develop a fully-automatic deep learning-based calcium image analysis algorithm for determining the invasiveness of suspended breast cancer cells using a single-beam acoustic trapping system. The algorithm allows to segment cells, find trapped cells, and quantify their calcium changes over time. For better segmentation of calcium fluorescent cells even with vague boundaries, a novel deep learning architecture with multi-scale/multi-channel convolution operations (MM-Net) is devised and constructed by a target inversion training method. The MM-Net outperforms other deep learning models in the cell segmentation. Also, a detection/quantification algorithm is developed and implemented to automatically determine the invasiveness of a trapped cell. For the evaluation of the algorithm, it is applied to quantify the invasiveness of breast cancer cells. The results show that the algorithm offers similar performance to the manual calcium analysis method for determining the invasiveness of cancer cells, suggesting that it may serve as a novel tool to automatically determine the invasiveness of cancer cells with high-efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangyeon Youn
- Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology,Department of Information and Communication Engineering, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myun, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
- S. Youn and K. Lee are equally contributed to this study
| | - Kyungsu Lee
- Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology,Department of Information and Communication Engineering, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myun, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
- S. Youn and K. Lee are equally contributed to this study
| | - Jeehoon Son
- Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology,Department of Information and Communication Engineering, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myun, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
| | - In-Hwan Yang
- Kyonggi University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 154-42, Gwanggyosan-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16227, South Korea
| | - Jae Youn Hwang
- Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology,Department of Information and Communication Engineering, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myun, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
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7
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Lim HG, Lee OJ, Shung KK, Kim JT, Kim HH. Classification of Breast Cancer Cells Using the Integration of High-Frequency Single-Beam Acoustic Tweezers and Convolutional Neural Networks. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051212. [PMID: 32408544 PMCID: PMC7281163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-beam acoustic tweezers (SBAT) is a widely used trapping technique to manipulate microscopic particles or cells. Recently, the characterization of a single cancer cell using high-frequency (>30 MHz) SBAT has been reported to determine its invasiveness and metastatic potential. Investigation of cell elasticity and invasiveness is based on the deformability of cells under SBAT’s radiation forces, and in general, more physically deformed cells exhibit higher levels of invasiveness and therefore higher metastatic potential. However, previous imaging analysis to determine substantial differences in cell deformation, where the SBAT is turned ON or OFF, relies on the subjective observation that may vary and requires follow-up evaluations from experts. In this study, we propose an automatic and reliable cancer cell classification method based on SBAT and a convolutional neural network (CNN), which provides objective and accurate quantitative measurement results. We used a custom-designed 50 MHz SBAT transducer to obtain a series of images of deformed human breast cancer cells. CNN-based classification methods with data augmentation applied to collected images determined and validated the metastatic potential of cancer cells. As a result, with the selected optimizers, precision, and recall of the model were found to be greater than 0.95, which highly validates the classification performance of our integrated method. CNN-guided cancer cell deformation analysis using SBAT may be a promising alternative to current histological image analysis, and this pretrained model will significantly reduce the evaluation time for a larger population of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Gyun Lim
- Future IT Innovation Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea; (H.G.L.); (O.-J.L.)
| | - O-Joun Lee
- Future IT Innovation Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea; (H.G.L.); (O.-J.L.)
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Jin-Taek Kim
- Department of Creative IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-T.K.); (H.H.K.); Tel.: +82-54-279-8853 (J.-T.K.); +82-54-279-8864 (H.H.K.)
| | - Hyung Ham Kim
- Department of Creative IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-T.K.); (H.H.K.); Tel.: +82-54-279-8853 (J.-T.K.); +82-54-279-8864 (H.H.K.)
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Yoon CW, Lee NS, Koo KM, Moon S, Goo K, Jung H, Yoon C, Lim HG, Shung KK. Investigation of Ultrasound-Mediated Intracellular Ca 2+ Oscillations in HIT-T15 Pancreatic β-Cell Line. Cells 2020; 9:E1129. [PMID: 32375298 PMCID: PMC7290496 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) of pancreatic β-cells, the rise of free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) triggers the exocytosis of insulin-containing granules. Recently, mechanically induced insulin secretion pathways were also reported, which utilize free cytosolic Ca2+ ions as a direct regulator of exocytosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate intracellular Ca2+ responses on the HIT-T15 pancreatic β-cell line upon low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) stimulation and found that ultrasound induces two distinct types of intracellular Ca2+ oscillation, fast-irregular and slow-periodic, from otherwise resting cells. Both Ca2+ patterns depend on the purinergic signaling activated by the rise of extracellular ATP or ADP concentration upon ultrasound stimulation, which facilitates the release through mechanosensitive hemichannels on the plasma membrane. Further study demonstrated that two subtypes of purinergic receptors, P2X and P2Y, are working in a competitive manner depending on the level of glucose in the cell media. The findings can serve as an essential groundwork providing an underlying mechanism for the development of a new therapeutic approach for diabetic conditions with further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Nan Sook Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Kweon Mo Koo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Sunho Moon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Kyosuk Goo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Hayong Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Changhan Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea
| | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
- Department of Creative IT Engineering and Future IT Innovation Lab, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (C.W.Y.); (N.S.L.); (K.M.K.); (S.M.); (K.G.); (H.J.); (C.Y.); (K.K.S.)
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Lim HG, Kim HH, Yoon C, Shung KK. A One-Sided Acoustic Trap for Cell Immobilization Using 30-MHz Array Transducer. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2020; 67:167-172. [PMID: 31514129 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2019.2940239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biological studies often involve the investigation of immobilized (or trapped) particles and cells. Various trapping methods without touching, such as optical, magnetic, and acoustic tweezers, have been developed to trap small particles. Here, we present the manipulation of a single cell or multiple cells using ultrasound-array-based single-beam acoustic tweezers (UA-SBATs). In SBATs, only a one-sided tightly focused acoustic beam produces a high acoustic gradient force-a mechanism that mirrors that of optical tweezers. As a result, targeted cells can be attracted to the beam center and immobilized within its trapping zone. Since an array transducer allows acoustic beam steering and scanning electronically instead of mechanical translation, it can manipulate cells more simply and quickly compared with single-element transducers, especially in biocompatible setup. In this experiment, a customized 30-MHz array transducer with an interdigitally bonded (IB) 2-2 piezocomposite was employed to immobilize MCF-12F cells. Cells were attracted to the center of the beam and laterally displaced with the array transducer without any damages to the cells. These findings suggest that UA-SBAT can be a promising tool for cell manipulation and may pave the way for exploring new biological applications.
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A Macro Lens-Based Optical System Design for Phototherapeutic Instrumentation. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19245427. [PMID: 31835391 PMCID: PMC6960533 DOI: 10.3390/s19245427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Light emitting diode (LED) and ultrasound have been powerful treatment stimuli for tumor cell growth due to non-radiation effects. This research is the first preliminary study of tumor cell suppression using a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with high-frequency ultrasound. The cell density, when exposed to the LED combined with ultrasound, was gradually reduced after 30 min of induction for up to three consecutive days when 48-W DC, 20-cycle, and 50 Vp-p sinusoidal pulses were applied to the LEDs through a designed macro lens and to the ultrasound transducer, respectively. Using a developed macro lens, the non-directional light beam emitted from the LED could be localized to a certain spot, likewise with ultrasound, to avoid additional undesirable thermal effects on the small sized tumor cells. In the experimental results, compared to LED-only induction (14.49 ± 2.73%) and ultrasound-only induction (13.27 ± 2.33%), LED combined with ultrasound induction exhibited the lowest cell density (6.25 ± 1.25%). Therefore, our measurement data demonstrated that a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with an ultrasound transducer could possibly suppress early stage tumor cells effectively.
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Qi L, Zhang Q, Tan Y, Lam KH, Zheng H, Qian M. Non-Contact High-Frequency Ultrasound Microbeam Stimulation: A Novel Finding and Potential Causes of Cell Responses. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2019; 67:1074-1082. [PMID: 31331876 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2019.2929008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Invasiveness research is an essential step in breast cancer metastasis. The application of high-frequency ultrasound microbeam stimulation (HFUMS) offers a manner of determining the invasion potential of human breast cancer cells by eliciting the elevation of transient cytoplasmic calcium ions (Ca2+). The fluorescent index (FI), which is a composite parameter reflecting calcium elevations elicited by HFUMS, was shown to be higher in invasive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) compared to weakly invasive breast cancer cells (MCF-7) using the low-intensity 50-MHz HFUMS. This novel finding shows significant difference from the reported studies in which MCF-7 cells showed no response to HFUMS. In addition to the negligible response of normal human breast cells (MCF-10A), HFUMS shows the potential to be capable of differentiating the normal cells from the cancer cells. To understand the mechanism of HFUMS worked on mechanotransduction in cells, different channel blockers were used to investigate the roles of specific channels during HFUMS. It was found that GsMTx4 (30 μM), a selective blocker of mechanosensitive Piezo channels, reduces the FI values significantly in MDA-MB-231 cells, while SKF-96365 (40 μM), a general TRP channel blocker, cannot induce the significant inhibition of FI values. The results indicate that Piezo channels may play the main role in invasion and metastatic propagation of cells.
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12
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Youn S, Choi JW, Lee JS, Kim J, Yang IH, Chang JH, Kim HC, Hwang JY. Acoustic Trapping Technique for Studying Calcium Response of a Suspended Breast Cancer Cell: Determination of Its Invasion Potentials. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2019; 66:737-746. [PMID: 30676954 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2019.2894662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A noncontact single-beam acoustic trapping technique has proven to be a promising tool for cell manipulation and characterization that provide essential knowledge for a variety of biomedical applications. Here, we investigated cell characteristics as to whether the calcium responses of suspended breast cancer cells to different acoustic trapping forces are related to their invasiveness. For this, we combined a single-beam acoustic trapping system with a 30-MHz press-focused lithium niobate ultrasound transducer and an epifluorescence microscope. Using the system, intracellular calcium changes of suspended MDA-MB-231 (highly invasive) and MCF-7 (weakly invasive) cells were monitored while trapping the cells at different acoustic pressures. The results showed that a single suspended breast cancer cell isolated by the acoustic microbeam behaved differently on the calcium elevation in response to changes in acoustic trapping force, depending on its invasiveness. In particular, the MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited higher calcium elevation than MCF-7 cells when each cell was trapped at low acoustic pressure. Based on these results, we believe that the single-beam acoustic trapping technique has high potential as an alternative tool for determining the degree of invasiveness of suspended breast cancer cells.
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13
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Choi H, Choe SW. Acoustic Stimulation by Shunt-Diode Pre-Linearizer using Very High Frequency Piezoelectric Transducer for Cancer Therapeutics. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19020357. [PMID: 30654599 PMCID: PMC6359139 DOI: 10.3390/s19020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we proposed cancer cell acoustic stimulation by shunt-diode pre-linearizer scheme using a very high frequency (≥100 MHz) piezoelectric transducer. To verify the concept of our proposed scheme, we performed pulse-echo detection, and accessed therapeutic effects of human cervical cancer cells exposed to acoustic stimulation experiments using 100 MHz focused piezoelectric transducer triggered by PA with and without the proposed shunt-diode pre-linearizer scheme. In the pulse-echo detection responses, the peak-to-peak voltage of the echo signal when using the PA with shunt-diode pre-linearizer (49.79 mV) was higher than that when using the PA alone (29.87 mV). In the experimental results, the cell densities of cancer cells on Day 4 when using no acoustic stimulation (control group), the very high-frequency piezoelectric transducer triggered by PA only and PA combined with proposed pre-linearizer schemes (1 V and 5 V DC bias voltages) showed 100%, 92.8 ± 4.2%, 84.2 ± 4.6%, and 78 ± 2.9%, respectively. Therefore, we confirmed that the shunt-diode pre-linearizer could improve the performances of the pulse signals of the PA, thus, enabling better therapeutic stimulation performances for cancer cell suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojong Choi
- Department of Medical IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39253, Korea
| | - Se-Woon Choe
- Department of Medical IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39253, Korea.
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14
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Lacroix JJ, Ozkan AD. Multiplexing Focused Ultrasound Stimulation with Fluorescence Microscopy. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 30663695 DOI: 10.3791/58781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
By focusing low-intensity ultrasound pulses that penetrate soft tissues, LIPUS represents a promising biomedical technology to remotely and safely manipulate neural firing, hormonal secretion and genetically-reprogrammed cells. However, the translation of this technology for medical applications is currently hampered by a lack of biophysical mechanisms by which targeted tissues sense and respond to LIPUS. A suitable approach to identify these mechanisms would be to use optical biosensors in combination with LIPUS to determine underlying signaling pathways. However, implementing LIPUS to a fluorescence microscope may introduce undesired mechanical artefacts due to the presence of physical interfaces that reflect, absorb and refract acoustic waves. This article presents a step-by-step procedure to incorporate LIPUS to commercially-available upright epi-fluorescence microscopes while minimizing the influence of physical interfaces along the acoustic path. A simple procedure is described to operate a single-element ultrasound transducer and to bring the focal zone of the transducer into the objective focal point. The use of LIPUS is illustrated with an example of LIPUS-induced calcium transients in cultured human glioblastoma cells measured using calcium imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome J Lacroix
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences;
| | - Alper D Ozkan
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences
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15
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Yoon CW, Jung H, Goo K, Moon S, Koo KM, Lee NS, Weitz AC, Shung KK. Low-Intensity Ultrasound Modulates Ca 2+ Dynamics in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Connexin 43 Hemichannel. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 46:48-59. [PMID: 29086222 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, ultrasound has gained attention in new biological applications due to its ability to induce specific biological responses at the cellular level. Although the biophysical mechanisms underlying the interaction between ultrasound and cells are not fully understood, many agree on a pivotal role of Ca2+ signaling through mechanotransduction pathways. Because Ca2+ regulates a vast range of downstream cellular processes, a better understanding of how ultrasound influences Ca2+ signaling could lead to new applications for ultrasound. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of ultrasound-induced Ca2+ mobilization in human mesenchymal stem cells using 47 MHz focused ultrasound to stimulate single cells at low intensities (~ 110 mW/cm2). We found that ultrasound exposure triggers opening of connexin 43 hemichannels on the plasma membrane, causing release of ATP into the extracellular space. That ATP then binds to G-protein-coupled P2Y1 purinergic receptors on the membrane, in turn activating phospholipase C, which evokes production of inositol trisphosphate and release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hayong Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kyosuk Goo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sunho Moon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kweon Mo Koo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nan Sook Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew C Weitz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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16
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Weitz AC, Lee NS, Yoon CW, Bonyad A, Goo KS, Kim S, Moon S, Jung H, Zhou Q, Chow RH, Shung KK. Functional Assay of Cancer Cell Invasion Potential Based on Mechanotransduction of Focused Ultrasound. Front Oncol 2017; 7:161. [PMID: 28824873 PMCID: PMC5545605 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo a number of biophysical changes as they transform from an indolent to an aggressive state. These changes, which include altered mechanical and electrical properties, can reveal important diagnostic information about disease status. Here, we introduce a high-throughput, functional technique for assessing cancer cell invasion potential, which works by probing for the mechanically excitable phenotype exhibited by invasive cancer cells. Cells are labeled with fluorescent calcium dye and imaged during stimulation with low-intensity focused ultrasound, a non-contact mechanical stimulus. We show that cells located at the focus of the stimulus exhibit calcium elevation for invasive prostate (PC-3 and DU-145) and bladder (T24/83) cancer cell lines, but not for non-invasive cell lines (BPH-1, PNT1A, and RT112/84). In invasive cells, ultrasound stimulation initiates a calcium wave that propagates from the cells at the transducer focus to other cells, over distances greater than 1 mm. We demonstrate that this wave is mediated by extracellular signaling molecules and can be abolished through inhibition of transient receptor potential channels and inositol trisphosphate receptors, implicating these proteins in the mechanotransduction process. If validated clinically, our technology could provide a means to assess tumor invasion potential in cytology specimens, which is not currently possible. It may therefore have applications in diseases such as bladder cancer, where cytologic diagnosis of tumor invasion could improve clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Weitz
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nan Sook Lee
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Adrineh Bonyad
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kyo Suk Goo
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Seaok Kim
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sunho Moon
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hayong Jung
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert H Chow
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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17
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Chen X, Lam KH, Chen R, Chen Z, Yu P, Chen Z, Shung KK, Zhou Q. An adjustable multi-scale single beam acoustic tweezers based on ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducer. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017; 114:2637-2647. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.26365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic; University of California-Irvine; Irvine California
- College of Material Science and Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu People's Republic of China
| | - Kwok Ho Lam
- Department of Electrical Engineering; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Hunghom Kowloon Hong Kong
| | - Ruimin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90089
| | - Zeyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90089
| | - Ping Yu
- College of Material Science and Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongping Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic; University of California-Irvine; Irvine California
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90089
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90089
- Department of Ophthalmology; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
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18
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Chen X, Chen R, Chen Z, Chen J, Shung KK, Zhou Q. Transparent Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramic fibers for High-frequency Ultrasonic Transducer Applications. CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL 2016; 42:18554-18559. [PMID: 37397568 PMCID: PMC10312139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.08.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents fabrication of transparent lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) fibers using extrusion technique. The diameter of the sintered PLZT fiber is about 400-µm, and the fibers exhibit very good transparency. Measured dielectric constant, remnant polarization and coercive field of PLZT fiber were found to be 2340, 22.5-µC/cm2, and 9.8-kV/cm, respectively. The transparent piezoelectric materials may exhibit great potential for Photoacoustic (PA) imaging and hybrid intravascular imaging combining OCT and ultrasound imaging by using the transparent fiber as the path of light propagation and ultrasonic transducer material. In our study, these transparent PLZT fibers were designed to fabricate two types of high-frequency ultrasonic transducers: small aperture single PLZT fiber/epoxy composite and large aperture 1-3 PLZT fiber/epoxy composite ultrasonic transducers. Besides, a 20-µm tungsten wire phantom and the cornea of the porcine eye were also imaged with the 1-3 PLZT fiber/epoxy composite ultrasonic transducer to demonstrate its imaging capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Chen
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruimin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Zeyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Jiping Chen
- Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NIH Transducer Resource Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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19
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Direct and sustained intracellular delivery of exogenous molecules using acoustic-transfection with high frequency ultrasound. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20477. [PMID: 26843283 PMCID: PMC4740885 DOI: 10.1038/srep20477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling cell functions for research and therapeutic purposes may open new strategies for the treatment of many diseases. An efficient and safe introduction of membrane impermeable molecules into target cells will provide versatile means to modulate cell fate. We introduce a new transfection technique that utilizes high frequency ultrasound without any contrast agents such as microbubbles, bringing a single-cell level targeting and size-dependent intracellular delivery of macromolecules. The transfection apparatus consists of an ultrasonic transducer with the center frequency of over 150 MHz and an epi-fluorescence microscope, entitled acoustic-transfection system. Acoustic pulses, emitted from an ultrasonic transducer, perturb the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane of a targeted single-cell to induce intracellular delivery of exogenous molecules. Simultaneous live cell imaging using HeLa cells to investigate the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ and propidium iodide (PI) and the delivery of 3 kDa dextran labeled with Alexa 488 were demonstrated. Cytosolic delivery of 3 kDa dextran induced via acoustic-transfection was manifested by diffused fluorescence throughout whole cells. Short-term (6 hr) cell viability test and long-term (40 hr) cell tracking confirmed that the proposed approach has low cell cytotoxicity.
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20
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Hwang JY, Yoon CW, Lim HG, Park JM, Yoon S, Lee J, Shung KK. Acoustic tweezers for studying intracellular calcium signaling in SKBR-3 human breast cancer cells. ULTRASONICS 2015; 63:94-101. [PMID: 26150401 PMCID: PMC4857610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin (FNT) play crucial roles in cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. For better understanding of these associated cellular activities, various microscopic manipulation tools have been used to study their intracellular signaling pathways. Recently, it has appeared that acoustic tweezers may possess similar capabilities in the study. Therefore, we here demonstrate that our newly developed acoustic tweezers with a high-frequency lithium niobate ultrasonic transducer have potentials to study intracellular calcium signaling by FNT-binding to human breast cancer cells (SKBR-3). It is found that intracellular calcium elevations in SKBR-3 cells, initially occurring on the microbead-contacted spot and then eventually spreading over the entire cell, are elicited by attaching an acoustically trapped FNT-coated microbead. Interestingly, they are suppressed by either extracellular calcium elimination or phospholipase C (PLC) inhibition. Hence, this suggests that our acoustic tweezers may serve as an alternative tool in the study of intracellular signaling by FNT-binding activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Youn Hwang
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu 711873, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jin Man Park
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu 711873, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangpil Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jungwoo Lee
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 139701, Republic of Korea.
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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21
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Arakawa M, Shikama J, Yoshida K, Nagaoka R, Kobayashi K, Saijo Y. Development of an ultrasound microscope combined with optical microscope for multiparametric characterization of a single cell. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2015; 62:1615-1622. [PMID: 26415124 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2014.006865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Biomechanics of the cell has been gathering much attention because it affects the pathological status in atherosclerosis and cancer. In the present study, an ultrasound microscope system combined with optical microscope for characterization of a single cell with multiple ultrasound parameters was developed. The central frequency of the transducer was 375 MHz and the scan area was 80 × 80 μm with up to 200 × 200 sampling points. An inverted optical microscope was incorporated in the design of the system, allowing for simultaneous optical observations of cultured cells. Two-dimensional mapping of multiple ultrasound parameters, such as sound speed, attenuation, and acoustic impedance, as well as the thickness, density, and bulk modulus of specimen/cell under investigation, etc., was realized by the system. Sound speed and thickness of a 3T3-L1 fibroblast cell were successfully obtained by the system. The ultrasound microscope system combined with optical microscope further enhances our understanding of cellular biomechanics.
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22
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Lee NS, Evgrafov OV, Souaiaia T, Bonyad A, Herstein J, Lee JY, Kim J, Ning Y, Sixto M, Weitz AC, Lenz HJ, Wang K, Knowles JA, Press MF, Salvaterra PM, Shung KK, Chow RH. Non-coding RNAs derived from an alternatively spliced REST transcript (REST-003) regulate breast cancer invasiveness. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11207. [PMID: 26053433 PMCID: PMC4459148 DOI: 10.1038/srep11207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RE1-Silencing Transcription factor (REST) has a well-established role in regulating transcription of genes important for neuronal development. Its role in cancer, though significant, is less well understood. We show that REST downregulation in weakly invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells converts them to a more invasive phenotype, while REST overexpression in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells suppresses invasiveness. Surprisingly, the mechanism responsible for these phenotypic changes does not depend directly on the transcriptional function of REST protein. Instead, it is driven by previously unstudied mid-size (30–200 nt) non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) derived from the first exon of an alternatively spliced REST transcript: REST-003. We show that processing of REST-003 into ncRNAs is controlled by an uncharacterized serine/arginine repeat-related protein, SRRM3. SRRM3 expression may be under REST-mediated transcriptional control, as it increases following REST downregulation. The SRRM3-dependent regulation of REST-003 processing into ncRNAs has many similarities to recently described promoter-associated small RNA-like processes. Targeting ncRNAs that control invasiveness could lead to new therapeutic approaches to limit breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sook Lee
- 1] Physiology &Biophysics and Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles [2] Dept of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Oleg V Evgrafov
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Tade Souaiaia
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Adrineh Bonyad
- Physiology &Biophysics and Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Jennifer Herstein
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Joo Yeun Lee
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Jihong Kim
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Yan Ning
- Dept of Medicine, Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | | | - Andrew C Weitz
- Dept of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Dept of Medicine, Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Kai Wang
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - James A Knowles
- Psychiatry &the Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Michael F Press
- Dept of Pathology, Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Paul M Salvaterra
- Department of Neuroscience, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Dept of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Robert H Chow
- Physiology &Biophysics and Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
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23
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Hwang JY, Kang BJ, Lee C, Kim HH, Park J, Zhou Q, Shung KK. Non-contact acoustic radiation force impulse microscopy via photoacoustic detection for probing breast cancer cell mechanics. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 6:11-22. [PMID: 25657870 PMCID: PMC4317122 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.000011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a novel non-contact method: acoustic radiation force impulse microscopy via photoacoustic detection (PA-ARFI), capable of probing cell mechanics. A 30 MHz lithium niobate ultrasound transducer is utilized for both detection of phatoacoustic signals and generation of acoustic radiation force. To track cell membrane displacements by acoustic radiation force, functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes are attached to cell membrane. Using the developed microscopy evaluated with agar phantoms, the mechanics of highly- and weakly-metastatic breast cancer cells are quantified. These results clearly show that the PA-ARFI microscopy may serve as a novel tool to probe mechanics of single breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Youn Hwang
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Bong Jin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Changyang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Hyung Ham Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jinhyoung Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA ;
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA ; Co-corresponding authors ;
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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24
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Li Y, Lee C, Chen R, Zhou Q, Shung KK. A feasibility study of in vivo applications of single beam acoustic tweezers. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2014; 105:173701. [PMID: 25422525 PMCID: PMC4224677 DOI: 10.1063/1.4900716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Tools that are capable of manipulating micro-sized objects have been widely used in such fields as physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. Several devices, including optical tweezers, atomic force microscope, micro-pipette aspirator, and standing surface wave type acoustic tweezers have been studied to satisfy this need. However, none of them has been demonstrated to be suitable for in vivo and clinical studies. Single beam acoustic tweezers (SBAT) is a technology that uses highly focused acoustic beam to trap particles toward the beam focus. Its feasibility was first theoretically and experimentally demonstrated by Lee and Shung several years ago. Since then, much effort has been devoted to improving this technology. At present, the tool is capable of trapping a microparticle as small as 1 μm, as well as a single red blood cell. Although in comparing to other microparticles manipulating technologies, SBAT has advantages of providing stronger trapping force and deeper penetration depth in tissues, and producing less tissue damage, its potential for in vivo applications has yet been explored. It is worth noting that ultrasound has been used as a diagnostic tool for over 50 years and no known major adverse effects have been observed at the diagnostic energy level. This paper reports the results of an initial attempt to assess the feasibility of single beam acoustic tweezers to trap microparticles in vivo inside of a blood vessel. The acoustic intensity of SBAT under the trapping conditions that were utilized was measured. The mechanical index and thermal index at the focus of acoustic beam were found to be 0.48 and 0.044, respectively, which meet the standard of commercial diagnostic ultrasound system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- NIH Transducer Resource Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1111, USA
| | - Changyang Lee
- NIH Transducer Resource Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1111, USA
| | - Ruimin Chen
- NIH Transducer Resource Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1111, USA
| | - Qifa Zhou
- NIH Transducer Resource Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1111, USA
| | - K Kirk Shung
- NIH Transducer Resource Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1111, USA
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Zhou Q, Lam KH, Zheng H, Qiu W, Shung KK. Piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducers in biomedical applications. PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE 2014; 66:87-111. [PMID: 25386032 PMCID: PMC4223717 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Piezoelectric single crystals, which have excellent piezoelectric properties, have extensively been employed for various sensors and actuators applications. In this paper, the state-of-art in piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducer applications is reviewed. Firstly, the basic principles and design considerations of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers will be addressed. Then, the popular piezoelectric single crystals used for ultrasonic transducer applications, including LiNbO3 (LN), PMN-PT and PIN-PMN-PT, will be introduced. After describing the preparation and performance of the single crystals, the recent development of both the single-element and array transducers fabricated using the single crystals will be presented. Finally, various biomedical applications including eye imaging, intravascular imaging, blood flow measurement, photoacoustic imaging, and microbeam applications of the single crystal transducers will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifa Zhou
- NIH Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Corresponding author. (Q. Zhou), (H. Zheng)
| | - Kwok Ho Lam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Ave., Nanshan, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Corresponding author. (Q. Zhou), (H. Zheng)
| | - Weibao Qiu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Ave., Nanshan, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - K. Kirk Shung
- NIH Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
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Hwang JY, Lim HG, Yoon CW, Lam KH, Yoon S, Lee C, Chiu CT, Kang BJ, Kim HH, Shung KK. Non-contact high-frequency ultrasound microbeam stimulation for studying mechanotransduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2014; 40:2172-82. [PMID: 25023109 PMCID: PMC4130794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2014.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We describe how contactless high-frequency ultrasound microbeam stimulation (HFUMS) is capable of eliciting cytoplasmic calcium (Ca(2+)) elevation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The cellular mechanotransduction process, which includes cell sensing and adaptation to the mechanical micro-environment, has been studied extensively in recent years. A variety of tools for mechanical stimulation have been developed to produce cellular responses. We developed a novel tool, a highly focused ultrasound microbeam, for non-contact cell stimulation at a microscale. This tool, at 200 MHz, was applied to human umbilical vein endothelial cells to investigate its potential to elicit an elevation in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels. It was found that the response was dose dependent, and moreover, extracellular Ca(2+) and cytoplasmic Ca(2+) stores were involved in the Ca(2+) elevation. These results suggest that high-frequency ultrasound microbeam stimulation is potentially a novel non-contact tool for studying cellular mechanotransduction if the acoustic pressures at such high frequencies can be quantified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Youn Hwang
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, Korea.
| | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kwok Ho Lam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sangpil Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Changyang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chi Tat Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bong Jin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hyung Ham Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - K Kirk Shung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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