1
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Chen J, Wang B, Wang Y, Radermacher H, Qi J, Momoh J, Lammers T, Shi Y, Rix A, Kiessling F. mRNA Sonotransfection of Tumors with Polymeric Microbubbles: Co-Formulation versus Co-Administration. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306139. [PMID: 38342634 PMCID: PMC11022722 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306139] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite its high potential, non-viral gene therapy of cancer remains challenging due to inefficient nucleic acid delivery. Ultrasound (US) with microbubbles (MB) can open biological barriers and thus improve DNA and mRNA passage. Polymeric MB are an interesting alternative to clinically used lipid-coated MB because of their high stability, narrow size distribution, and easy functionalization. However, besides choosing the ideal MB, it remains unclear whether nanocarrier-encapsulated mRNA should be administered separately (co-administration) or conjugated to MB (co-formulation). Therefore, the impact of poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) MB co-administration with mRNA-DOTAP/DOPE lipoplexes or their co-formulation on the transfection of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo is analyzed. Sonotransfection improved mRNA delivery into 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro with co-administration being more efficient than co-formulation. In vivo, the co-administration sonotransfection approach also resulted in higher transfection efficiency and reached deeper into the tumor tissue. On the contrary, co-formulation mainly promoted transfection of endothelial and perivascular cells. Furthermore, the co-formulation approach is much more dependent on the US trigger, resulting in significantly lower off-site transfection. Thus, the findings indicate that the choice of co-administration or co-formulation in sonotransfection should depend on the targeted cell population, tolerable off-site transfection, and the therapeutic purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Chen
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Bi Wang
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Harald Radermacher
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Jinwei Qi
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Jeffrey Momoh
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Yang Shi
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Anne Rix
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingHelmholtz Institute for Biomedical EngineeringRWTH Aachen University52074AachenGermany
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2
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Barmin RA, Dasgupta A, Rix A, Weiler M, Appold L, Rütten S, Padilla F, Kuehne AJC, Pich A, De Laporte L, Kiessling F, Pallares RM, Lammers T. Enhanced Stable Cavitation and Nonlinear Acoustic Properties of Poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) Polymeric Microbubbles after Bioconjugation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:75-81. [PMID: 36315422 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microbubbles (MB) are used as ultrasound (US) contrast agents in clinical settings because of their ability to oscillate upon exposure to acoustic pulses and generate nonlinear responses with a stable cavitation profile. Polymeric MB have recently attracted increasing attention as molecular imaging probes and drug delivery agents based on their tailorable acoustic responses, high drug loading capacity, and surface functionalization capabilities. While many of these applications require MB to be functionalized with biological ligands, the impact of bioconjugation on polymeric MB cavitation and acoustic properties remains poorly understood. Hence, we here evaluated the effects of MB shell hydrolysis and subsequent streptavidin conjugation on the acoustic behavior of poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) MB. We show that upon biofunctionalization, MB display higher acoustic stability, stronger stable cavitation, and enhanced second harmonic generation. Furthermore, functionalized MB preserve the binding capabilities of streptavidin conjugated on their surface. These findings provide insights into the effects of bioconjugation chemistry on polymeric MB acoustic properties, and they contribute to improving the performance of polymer-based US imaging and theranostic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A Barmin
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Anshuman Dasgupta
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Anne Rix
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Marek Weiler
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Lia Appold
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Stephan Rütten
- Electron Microscope Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Frederic Padilla
- Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
- LabTAU, INSERM, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon 1, Univ-Lyon, Lyon F-69003, France
- Department of Radiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
| | - Alexander J C Kuehne
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Andrij Pich
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Department of Advanced Materials for Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Roger M Pallares
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen 52074, Germany
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3
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Chen T, Miao W, Yang Z, Yang F. From Nanovesicles to Nanobubbles Based on Repeated Compression Method. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:16740-16749. [PMID: 37962381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanobubbles have been increasingly applied in biomedicine, which is attributed to their ability to work as ultrasound imaging contrast agents and powerful gene/drug carriers. Different production techniques or approaches have been developed to generate uniform and stable shelled nanobubbles. However, these shelled nanobubbles are usually prepared based on disordered shell materials, such as free phospholipids and polymers. In recent years, the continuous repeated compression method for a gas-liquid mixture has been developed to produce free and lipid-shelled nanobubbles. In this study, to explore the response of well-organized nanostructures to this method, the repeated compression method was used to treat preprepared liposomes and polymeric nanovesicles. Size distribution, morphologies, and ultrasound image contrast enhancement of these nanovesicles were determined before and after repeated compression. Results demonstrate that the presence of a phospholipid bilayer is vital to form liposome-based nanobubbles. And the low elastic modulus of the polymeric membrane is key to encapsulate gases into polymeric nanovesicles. Overall, it demonstrated the advantages of well-organized nanostructures to produce nanobubble structures, giving new insights into the preparation and understanding of nanobubbles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiandong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiling Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenrong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, Jiangsu, China
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4
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Barmin RA, Moosavifar M, Dasgupta A, Herrmann A, Kiessling F, Pallares RM, Lammers T. Polymeric materials for ultrasound imaging and therapy. Chem Sci 2023; 14:11941-11954. [PMID: 37969594 PMCID: PMC10631124 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04339h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) is routinely used for diagnostic imaging and increasingly employed for therapeutic applications. Materials that act as cavitation nuclei can improve the resolution of US imaging, and facilitate therapeutic US procedures by promoting local drug delivery or allowing temporary biological barrier opening at moderate acoustic powers. Polymeric materials offer a high degree of control over physicochemical features concerning responsiveness to US, e.g. via tuning chain composition, length and rigidity. This level of control cannot be achieved by materials made of lipids or proteins. In this perspective, we present key engineered polymeric materials that respond to US, including microbubbles, gas-stabilizing nanocups, microcapsules and gas-releasing nanoparticles, and discuss their formulation aspects as well as their principles of US responsiveness. Focusing on microbubbles as the most common US-responsive polymeric materials, we further evaluate the available chemical toolbox to engineer polymer shell properties and enhance their performance in US imaging and US-mediated drug delivery. Additionally, we summarize emerging applications of polymeric microbubbles in molecular imaging, sonopermeation, and gas and drug delivery, based on refinement of MB shell properties. Altogether, this manuscript provides new perspectives on US-responsive polymeric designs, envisaging their current and future applications in US imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A Barmin
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - MirJavad Moosavifar
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Anshuman Dasgupta
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Aachen 52074 Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Roger M Pallares
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital Aachen 52074 Germany
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5
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Mehta S, Bongcaron V, Nguyen TK, Jirwanka Y, Maluenda A, Walsh APG, Palasubramaniam J, Hulett MD, Srivastava R, Bobik A, Wang X, Peter K. An Ultrasound-Responsive Theranostic Cyclodextrin-Loaded Nanoparticle for Multimodal Imaging and Therapy for Atherosclerosis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200967. [PMID: 35710979 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Left undiagnosed and untreated, atherosclerotic plaques can rupture and cause cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Atherosclerotic plaques are composed of lipids, including oxidized low-density lipoproteins and cholesterol crystals, and immune cells, including macrophages. 2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CD) is FDA-approved for capturing, solubilizing, and delivering lipophilic drugs in humans. It is also known to dissolve cholesterol crystals and decrease atherosclerotic plaque size. However, its low retention time necessitates high dosages for successful therapy. This study reports CD delivery via air-trapped polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles (with diameters of 388 ± 34 nm) loaded with CD (CDNPs). The multimodal contrast ability of these nanoparticles after being loaded with IR780 dye in mice is demonstrated using ultrasound and near-infrared imaging. It is shown that CDNPs enhance the cellular uptake of CD in murine cells. In an ApoE-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis, treatment with CDNPs significantly improves the anti-atherosclerotic efficacy of CD. Ultrasound triggering further improves CD uptake, highlighting that CDNPs can be used for ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-responsive CD delivery. Thus, CDNPs represent a theranostic nanocarrier for potential application in patients with atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Mehta
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, 400076, India
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay - Monash Research Academy, Powai, 400076, India
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Viktoria Bongcaron
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Tien K Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Yugandhara Jirwanka
- Toxicology Division, National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Parel, 400012, India
| | - Ana Maluenda
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Aidan P G Walsh
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jathushan Palasubramaniam
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Rohit Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, 400076, India
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay - Monash Research Academy, Powai, 400076, India
| | - Alex Bobik
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Vascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
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6
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Barmin RA, Dasgupta A, Bastard C, De Laporte L, Rütten S, Weiler M, Kiessling F, Lammers T, Pallares RM. Engineering the Acoustic Response and Drug Loading Capacity of PBCA-Based Polymeric Microbubbles with Surfactants. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:3256-3266. [PMID: 35905480 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gas-filled microbubbles (MB) are routinely used in the clinic as ultrasound contrast agents. MB are also increasingly explored as drug delivery vehicles based on their ultrasound stimuli-responsiveness and well-established shell functionalization routes. Broadening the range of MB properties can enhance their performance in both imaging and drug delivery applications. This can be promoted by systematically varying the reagents used in the synthesis of MB, which in the case of polymeric MB include surfactants. We therefore set out to study the effect of key surfactant characteristics, such as the chemical structure, molecular weight, and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance on the formation of poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) MB, as well as on their properties, including shell thickness, drug loading capacity, ultrasound contrast, and acoustic stability. Two different surfactant families (i.e., Triton X and Tween) were employed, which show opposite molecular weight vs hydrophilic-lipophilic balance trends. For both surfactant types, we found that the shell thickness of PBCA MB increased with higher-molecular-weight surfactants and that the resulting MB with thicker shells showed higher drug loading capacities and acoustic stability. Furthermore, the higher proportion of smaller polymer chains of the Triton X-based MB (as compared to those of the Tween-based ones) resulted in lower polymer entanglement, improving drug loading capacity and ultrasound contrast response. These findings open up new avenues to fine-tune the shell properties of polymer-based MB for enhanced ultrasound imaging and drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A Barmin
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Anshuman Dasgupta
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Céline Bastard
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Department of Advanced Materials for Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Department of Advanced Materials for Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Rütten
- Electron Microscope Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Marek Weiler
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Roger M Pallares
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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7
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Estifeeva TM, Barmin RA, Rudakovskaya PG, Nechaeva AM, Luss AL, Mezhuev YO, Chernyshev VS, Krivoborodov EG, Klimenko OA, Sindeeva OA, Demina PA, Petrov KS, Chuprov-Netochin RN, Fedotkina EP, Korotchenko OE, Sencha EA, Sencha AN, Shtilman MI, Gorin DA. Hybrid (Bovine Serum Albumin)/Poly( N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone- co-acrylic acid)-Shelled Microbubbles as Advanced Ultrasound Contrast Agents. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:3338-3348. [PMID: 35791763 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Microbubbles are routinely used ultrasound contrast agents in the clinic. While a soft protein shell is commercially preferable for imaging purposes, a rigid polymer shell demonstrates prolonged agent stability. Hence, combining polymers and proteins in one shell composition can advance microbubble properties. We formulated the hybrid "protein-copolymer" microbubble shell with a complex of bovine serum albumin and an amphiphilic copolymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and acrylic acid. The resulting microbubbles demonstrated advanced physicochemical and acoustic properties, preserving in vitro biocompatibility. Adjusting the mass ratio between protein and copolymer allowed fine tuning of the microbubble properties of concentration (by two orders, up to 1010 MBs/mL), mean size (from 0.8 to 5 μm), and shell thickness (from 28 to 50 nm). In addition, the minimum air-liquid surface tension for the "protein-copolymer" solution enabled the highest bubble concentration. At the same time, a higher copolymer amount in the bubble shell increased the bubble size and tuned duration and intensity of the contrast during an ultrasound procedure. Demonstrated results exemplify the potential of the hybrid "protein-polymer" microbubble shell, allowing tailoring of microbubble properties for image-guided applications, combining advances of each material involved in the formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana M Estifeeva
- Department of Biomaterials, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Roman A Barmin
- Center for Photonic Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina G Rudakovskaya
- Center for Photonic Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna M Nechaeva
- Department of Biomaterials, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna L Luss
- Department of Biomaterials, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav O Mezhuev
- Department of Biomaterials, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasiliy S Chernyshev
- Center for Photonic Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Efrem G Krivoborodov
- Institute of Chemistry and Sustainable Development, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg A Klimenko
- Center for Photonic Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia.,P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 53, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A Sindeeva
- Center for Neurobiology and Brain Restoration, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobelya Str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina A Demina
- Federal Scientific Research Centre ″Crystallography and Photonics″ of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy avenue 59, 119333 Moscow, Russia.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill S Petrov
- Hadassah Medical Moscow, Bolshoy Boulevard 46, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Roman N Chuprov-Netochin
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutsky Lane 9, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Elena P Fedotkina
- Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Akademika Oparina str. 4, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga E Korotchenko
- Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Akademika Oparina str. 4, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Sencha
- Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Akademika Oparina str. 4, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander N Sencha
- Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Akademika Oparina str. 4, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail I Shtilman
- Department of Biomaterials, Dmitry Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Miusskaya sq. 9, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Gorin
- Center for Photonic Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel str. 3, 121205 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Liu M, Dasgupta A, Koczera P, Schipper S, Rommel D, Shi Y, Kiessling F, Lammers T. Drug Loading in Poly(butyl cyanoacrylate)-Based Polymeric Microbubbles. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:2840-2848. [PMID: 32589435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microbubbles (MB) are routinely used ultrasound (US) contrast agents that have recently attracted increasing attention as stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. To better understand MB-based drug delivery, we studied the role of drug hydrophobicity and molecular weight on MB loading, shelf-life stability, US properties, and drug release. Eight model drugs, varying in hydrophobicity and molecular weight, were loaded into the shell of poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) MB. In the case of drugs with progesterone as a common structural backbone (i.e., for corticosteroids), loading capacity and drug release correlated well with hydrophobicity and molecular weight. Conversely, when employing drugs with no structural similarity (i.e., four different fluorescent dyes), loading capacity and release did not correlate with hydrophobicity and molecular weight. All model drug-loaded MB formulations could be equally efficiently destroyed upon exposure to US. Together, these findings provide valuable insights on how the physicochemical properties of (model) drug molecules affect their loading and retention in and US-induced release from polymeric MB, thereby facilitating the development of drug-loaded MB formulations for US-triggered drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Liu
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Anshuman Dasgupta
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Patrick Koczera
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Sandra Schipper
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Dirk Rommel
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Yang Shi
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen 52074, Germany
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9
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Linz G, Djeljadini S, Steinbeck L, Köse G, Kiessling F, Wessling M. Cell barrier characterization in transwell inserts by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 165:112345. [PMID: 32513645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We describe an impedance-based method for cell barrier integrity testing. A four-electrode electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) setup can be realized by simply connecting a commercial chopstick-like electrode (STX-1) to a potentiostat allowing monitoring cell barriers cultivated in transwell inserts. Subsequent electric circuit modeling of the electrical impedance results the capacitive properties of the barrier next to the well-known transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The versatility of the new method was analyzed by the EIS analysis of a Caco-2 monolayer in response to (a) different membrane coating materials, (b) two different permeability enhancers ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and saponin, and (c) sonoporation. For the different membrane coating materials, the TEERs of the standard and new protocol coincide and increase during cultivation, while the capacitance shows a distinct maximum for three different surface materials (no coating, Matrigel®, and collagen I). The permeability enhancers cause a decline in the TEER value, but only saponin alters the capacitance of the cell layer by two orders of magnitude. Hence, cell layer capacitance and TEER represent two independent properties characterizing the monolayer. The use of commercial chopstick-like electrodes to access the impedance of a barrier cultivated in transwell inserts enables remarkable insight into the behavior of the cellular barrier with no extra work for the researcher. This simple method could evolve into a standard protocol used in cell barrier research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Linz
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Suzana Djeljadini
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lea Steinbeck
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gurbet Köse
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wessling
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik-Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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10
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Ilhan-Ayisigi E, Saglam-Metiner P, Manzi G, Giannasi K, van Hoeve W, Yesil-Celiktas O. One-Step Microfluidic Coating of Phospholipid Microbubbles with Natural Alginate Polymer as a Delivery System for Human Epithelial Lung Adenocarcinoma. Macromol Biosci 2020; 20:e2000084. [PMID: 32346989 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the neoplastic drug frequently used in the treatment of lung cancer, carboplatin is loaded to microbubbles via a microfluidic platform. In order to increase the drug loading capacity of microbubbles, carboplatin is encapsulated into alginate polymer layer. The phospholipid microbubbles (MBs) are synthesized by MicroSphere Creator, which is connected with T-junction and micromixer for the treatment with CaCl2 solution to provide gelation of the alginate coated phospholipid microbubbles (AMBs). The carboplatin loaded alginate coated phospholipid microbubbles (CAMBs) result in 12.2 ± 0.21 µm mean size, obtained by mixing with 0.05% CaCl2 using T-junction. The cytotoxic activities of the synthesized MBs, AMBs, and CAMBs are also investigated with the 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) and live/dead fluorescent dying assays in the A549 and BEAS-2B cell lines. The one-step microfluidic coating of lipid microbubbles with natural alginate polymer appears to be a promising strategy for enhanced drug reservoir properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Ilhan-Ayisigi
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, 35100, Turkey.,Genetic and Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, 40100, Turkey.,Tide Microfluidics B.V., Capitool 41, Enschede, 7521 PL, The Netherlands
| | - Pelin Saglam-Metiner
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, 35100, Turkey
| | - Giuliana Manzi
- Tide Microfluidics B.V., Capitool 41, Enschede, 7521 PL, The Netherlands
| | - Katharine Giannasi
- Tide Microfluidics B.V., Capitool 41, Enschede, 7521 PL, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van Hoeve
- Tide Microfluidics B.V., Capitool 41, Enschede, 7521 PL, The Netherlands
| | - Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, 35100, Turkey
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11
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Shelf-Life Evaluation and Lyophilization of PBCA-Based Polymeric Microbubbles. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11090433. [PMID: 31454967 PMCID: PMC6781551 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11090433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) microbubbles (PBCA-MB) are extensively employed for functional and molecular ultrasound (US) imaging, as well as for US-mediated drug delivery. To facilitate the use of PBCA-MB as a commercial platform for biomedical applications, it is important to systematically study and improve their stability and shelf-life. In this context, lyophilization (freeze drying) is widely used to increase shelf-life and promote product development. Here, we set out to analyze the stability of standard and rhodamine-B loaded PBCA-MB at three different temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C), for a period of time of up to 20 weeks. In addition, using sucrose, glucose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as cryoprotectants, we investigated if PBCA-MB can be lyophilized without affecting their size, concentration, US signal generation properties, and dye retention. Stability assessment showed that PBCA-MB remain largely intact for three and four weeks at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively, while they disintegrate within one to two weeks at 37 °C, thereby compromising their acoustic properties. Lyophilization analyses demonstrated that PBCA-MB can be efficiently freeze-dried with 5% sucrose and 5% PVP, without changing their size, concentration, and US signal generation properties. Experiments involving rhodamine-B loaded MB indicated that significant dye leakage from the polymeric shell takes place within two to four weeks in case of non-lyophilized PBCA-MB. Lyophilization of rhodamine-loaded PBCA-MB with sucrose and PVP showed that the presence of the dye does not affect the efficiency of freeze-drying, and that the dye is efficiently retained upon MB lyophilization. These findings contribute to the development of PBCA-MB as pharmaceutical products for preclinical and clinical applications.
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12
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Ergen C, Niemietz PM, Heymann F, Baues M, Gremse F, Pola R, van Bloois L, Storm G, Kiessling F, Trautwein C, Luedde T, Lammers T, Tacke F. Liver fibrosis affects the targeting properties of drug delivery systems to macrophage subsets in vivo. Biomaterials 2019; 206:49-60. [PMID: 30925288 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid immune cells promote inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Drug delivery systems, such as polymers, liposomes and microbubbles, efficiently target myeloid cells in healthy liver, but their targeting properties in hepatic fibrosis remain elusive. We therefore studied the biodistribution of three intravenously injected carrier material, i.e. 10 nm poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) polymers, 100 nm PEGylated liposomes and 2000 nm poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) microbubbles, in two fibrosis models in immunocompetent mice. While whole-body imaging confirmed preferential hepatic uptake even after induction of liver fibrosis, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis revealed markedly decreased carrier uptake by liver macrophage subsets in fibrosis, particularly for microbubbles and polymers. Importantly, carrier uptake co-localized with immune infiltrates in fibrotic livers, corroborating the intrinsic ability of the carriers to target myeloid cells in areas of inflammation. Of the tested carrier systems liposomes had the highest uptake efficiency among hepatic myeloid cells, but the lowest specificity for cellular subsets. Hepatic fibrosis affected carrier uptake in liver and partially in spleen, but not in other tissues (blood, bone marrow, lung, kidney). In conclusion, while drug carrier systems target distinct myeloid cell populations in diseased and healthy livers, hepatic fibrosis profoundly affects their targeting efficiency, supporting the need to adapt nanomedicine-based approaches in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Ergen
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Felix Heymann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maike Baues
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Pola
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Louis van Bloois
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Cryo-EM Visualization of Lipid and Polymer-Stabilized Perfluorocarbon Gas Nanobubbles - A Step Towards Nanobubble Mediated Drug Delivery. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13517. [PMID: 29044154 PMCID: PMC5647366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gas microbubbles stabilized with lipids, surfactants, proteins and/or polymers are widely used clinically as ultrasound contrast agents. Because of their large 1-10 µm size, applications of microbubbles are confined to the blood vessels. Accordingly, there is much interest in generating nanoscale echogenic bubbles (nanobubbles), which can enable new uses of ultrasound contrast agents in molecular imaging and drug delivery, particularly for cancer applications. While the interactions of microbubbles with ultrasound have been widely investigated, little is known about the activity of nanobubbles under ultrasound exposure. In this work, we demonstrate that cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can be used to image nanoscale lipid and polymer-stabilized perfluorocarbon gas bubbles before and after their destruction with high intensity ultrasound. In addition, cryo-EM can be used to observe electron-beam induced dissipation of nanobubble encapsulated perfluorocarbon gas.
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Synthesis of Macromolecules Department, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Barz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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