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Ling B, Gungoren B, Yao Y, Dutka P, Vassallo R, Nayak R, Smith CAB, Lee J, Swift MB, Shapiro MG. Truly Tiny Acoustic Biomolecules for Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307106. [PMID: 38409678 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307106] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers significant advantages for medical imaging and therapy, including enhanced contrast and precision targeting. However, integrating these benefits into ultrasonography is challenging due to the size and stability constraints of conventional bubble-based agents. Here bicones, truly tiny acoustic contrast agents based on gas vesicles (GVs), a unique class of air-filled protein nanostructures naturally produced in buoyant microbes, are described. It is shown that these sub-80 nm particles can be effectively detected both in vitro and in vivo, infiltrate tumors via leaky vasculature, deliver potent mechanical effects through ultrasound-induced inertial cavitation, and are easily engineered for molecular targeting, prolonged circulation time, and payload conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill Ling
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Bilge Gungoren
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Przemysław Dutka
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Division of Biology and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Reid Vassallo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1K2, Canada
| | - Rohit Nayak
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Cameron A B Smith
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Justin Lee
- Division of Biology and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Margaret B Swift
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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2
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Jiang Y, Hou X, Zhao X, Jing J, Sun L. Tracking adoptive natural killer cells via ultrasound imaging assisted with nanobubbles. Acta Biomater 2023; 169:542-555. [PMID: 37536495 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The recent years has witnessed an exponential growth in the field of natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy for cancer treatment. As a prerequisite to precise evaluations and on-demand interventions, the noninvasive tracking of adoptive NK cells plays a crucial role not only in post-treatment monitoring, but also in offering opportunities for preclinical studies on therapy optimizations. Here, we describe an NK cell tracking strategy for cancer immunotherapy based on ultrasound imaging modality. Nanosized ultrasound contrast agents, gas vesicles (GVs), were surface-functionalized to label NK cells. Unlike traditional microbubble contrast agents, nanosized GVs with their unique thermodynamical stability enable the detection of labeled NK cells under nonlinear contrast-enhanced ultrasound (nCEUS), without a noticeable impact on cellular viability or migration. By such labeling, we were able to monitor the trafficking of systematically infused NK cells to a subcutaneous tumor model. Upon co-treatment with interleukin (IL)-2, we observed a rapid enhancement in NK cell trafficking at the tumor site as early as 3 h post-infusion. Altogether, we show that the proposed ultrasound-based tracking strategy is able to capture the dynamical changes of cell trafficking in NK cell-based immunotherapy, providing referencing information for early-phase monotherapy evaluation, as well as understanding the effects of modulatory co-treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In cellular immunotherapies, the post-infusion monitoring of the living therapeutics has been challenging. Several popular imaging modalities have been explored the monitoring of the adoptive immune cells, evaluating their trafficking and accumulation in the tumor. Here we demonstrated, for the first time, the ultrasound imaging-based immune cell tracking strategy. We showed that the acoustic labeling of adoptive immune cells was feasible with nanosized ultrasound contrast agents, overcoming the size and stability limitations of traditional microbubbles, enabling dynamical tracking of adoptive natural killer cells in both monotherapy and synergic treatment with cytokines. This article introduced the cost-effective and ubiquitous ultrasound imaging modality into the field of cellular immunotherapies, with broad prospectives in early assessment and on-demand image-guided interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room ST409 Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Xuandi Hou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room ST409 Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room ST409 Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Jianing Jing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room ST409 Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Room ST409 Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China.
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3
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Wang R, Yi L, Zhou W, Wang W, Wang L, Xu L, Deng C, He M, Xie Y, Xu J, Chen Y, Gao T, Jin Q, Zhang L, Xie M. Targeted microRNA delivery by lipid nanoparticles and gas vesicle-assisted ultrasound cavitation to treat heart transplant rejection. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:6492-6503. [PMID: 36884313 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm02103j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite exquisite immune response modulation, the extensive application of microRNA therapy in treating heart transplant rejection is still impeded by poor stability and low target efficiency. Here we have developed a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) cavitation-assisted genetic therapy after executing the heart transplantation (LIGHT) strategy, facilitating microRNA delivery to target tissues through the LIPUS cavitation of gas vesicles (GVs), a class of air-filled protein nanostructures. We prepared antagomir-155 encapsulated liposome nanoparticles to enhance the stability. Then the murine heterotopic transplantation model was established, and antagomir-155 was delivered to murine allografted hearts via the cavitation of GVs agitated by LIPUS, which reinforced the target efficiency while guaranteeing safety owing to the specific acoustic property of GVs. This LIGHT strategy significantly depleted miR-155, upregulating the suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), leading to reparative polarization of macrophages, decrease of T lymphocytes and reduction of inflammatory factors. Thereby, rejection was attenuated and the allografted heart survival was markedly prolonged. The LIGHT strategy achieves targeted delivery of microRNA with minimal invasiveness and great efficiency, paving the way towards novel ultrasound cavitation-assisted strategies of targeted genetic therapy for heart transplantation rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Luyang Yi
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Wuqi Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Wenyuan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Lufang Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Cheng Deng
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Mengrong He
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Yuji Xie
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Yihan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Tang Gao
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Qiaofeng Jin
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Mingxing Xie
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Ling B, Gungoren B, Yao Y, Dutka P, Smith CAB, Lee J, Swift MB, Shapiro MG. Truly tiny acoustic biomolecules for ultrasound imaging and therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.27.546773. [PMID: 37425749 PMCID: PMC10327013 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.27.546773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers significant advantages for medical imaging and therapy, including enhanced contrast and precision targeting. However, integrating these benefits into ultrasonography has been challenging due to the size and stability constraints of conventional bubble-based agents. Here we describe bicones, truly tiny acoustic contrast agents based on gas vesicles, a unique class of air-filled protein nanostructures naturally produced in buoyant microbes. We show that these sub-80 nm particles can be effectively detected both in vitro and in vivo, infiltrate tumors via leaky vasculature, deliver potent mechanical effects through ultrasound-induced inertial cavitation, and are easily engineered for molecular targeting, prolonged circulation time, and payload conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill Ling
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Bilge Gungoren
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Przemysław Dutka
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Cameron A. B. Smith
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Justin Lee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Margaret B. Swift
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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5
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Wang Y, Fu M, Yang Y, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Xiao J, Zhou Y, Yan F. Modification of PEG reduces the immunogenicity of biosynthetic gas vesicles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1128268. [PMID: 36949883 PMCID: PMC10025544 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1128268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanobubbles have received great attention in ultrasound molecular imaging due to their capability to pass through the vasculature and reach extravascular tissues. Recently, gas vesicles (GVs) from archaea have been reported as acoustic contrast agents, showing great potential for ultrasound molecular imaging. However, the immunogenicity and biosafety of GVs has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the immune responses and biosafety of biosynthetic GVs and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified GVs (PEG-GVs) in vivo and in vitro. Our findings suggest that the plain GVs showed significantly stronger immunogenic response than PEG-GVs. Less macrophage clearance rate of the RES and longer circulation time were also found for PEG-GVs, thereby producing the better contrast imaging effect in vivo. Thus, our study demonstrated the PEG modification of biosynthetic GVs from Halobacterium NRC-1 is helpful for the future application of GVs in molecular imaging and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy, Hebei Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hebei Reproductive Hospital, Hebei Institute of reproductive health science and technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meijun Fu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaozhang Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinghan Zhang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Anzhen Hospoital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaomeng Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy, Hebei Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hebei Reproductive Hospital, Hebei Institute of reproductive health science and technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jingling Xiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy, Hebei Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hebei Reproductive Hospital, Hebei Institute of reproductive health science and technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yingjie Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy, Hebei Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hebei Reproductive Hospital, Hebei Institute of reproductive health science and technology, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Yan, ; Yingjie Zhou,
| | - Fei Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Yan, ; Yingjie Zhou,
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6
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Radiolabeling of statistically optimized nanosized atorvastatin suspension for liver targeting and extensive imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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7
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Recent progress in theranostic microbubbles. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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8
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Long H, Qin X, Xu R, Mei C, Xiong Z, Deng X, Huang K, Liang H. Non-Modified Ultrasound-Responsive Gas Vesicles from Microcystis with Targeted Tumor Accumulation. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 16:8405-8416. [PMID: 35002235 PMCID: PMC8721019 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s342614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ultrasonic molecular imaging (UMI) technology has attracted increasing interest because of its low cost and capability to evaluate changes rapidly and noninvasively at the cellular and molecular levels. The key material of this technology is ultrasound-responsive gas vesicles (GVs). GVs synthesized by conventional chemical methods have several limitations, such as high costs, low yields, and complex production processes. In comparison, biosynthesized GVs have the advantages of high stability, a low risk of toxicity, genetic engineering characterization, easy post modification and drug loading potential. However, translational studies of their biosynthesis are still in their infancy; in particular, the duration of GVs in the circulatory system is essential for the usage of UMI in biomedicine and the clinic. Results Here, we report novel GVs biosynthesized by the cyanobacterium Microcystis, which have a moderate size, a negative zeta potential, a rod-like morphology, and a protein-shelled gas-contained structure. These GVs without any chemical modifications could be detected in the mice circulatory system for more than 10 hours by clinically used ultrasound scanners. In particular, GVs can accumulate in tumors via the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect 11 hours post-injection, and lasting at least 2 hours, which might be a potential aid for tumor diagnosis. Furthermore, pathological and hematological study suggested that GVs are safe for the host. Conclusion We concluded that the GVs synthesized by Microcystis without any modifications have UMI potential for systemic evaluation as well as tumoral diagnosis after intravenous injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Long
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430072, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Qin
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430072, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunlei Mei
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Xiong
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiyao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430072, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Huageng Liang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China
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9
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Peng C, Chen M, Spicer JB, Jiang X. Acoustics at the nanoscale (nanoacoustics): A comprehensive literature review.: Part II: Nanoacoustics for biomedical imaging and therapy. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. A, PHYSICAL 2021; 332:112925. [PMID: 34937992 PMCID: PMC8691754 DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2021.112925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, acoustics at the nanoscale (i.e., nanoacoustics) has evolved rapidly with continuous and substantial expansion of capabilities and refinement of techniques. Motivated by research innovations in the last decade, for the first time, recent advancements of acoustics-associated nanomaterials/nanostructures and nanodevices for different applications are outlined in this comprehensive review, which is written in two parts. As part II of this two-part review, this paper concentrates on nanoacoustics in biomedical imaging and therapy applications, including molecular ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and therapy, and photoacoustic drug delivery and therapy. Firstly, the recent developments of nanosized ultrasound and photoacoustic contrast agents as well as their various imaging applications are examined. Secondly, different types of nanomaterials/nanostructures as nanocarriers for ultrasound and photoacoustic therapies are discussed. Finally, a discussion of challenges and future research directions are provided for nanoacoustics in medical imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Peng
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Mengyue Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - James B. Spicer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xiaoning Jiang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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10
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Bar-Zion A, Nourmahnad A, Mittelstein DR, Shivaei S, Yoo S, Buss MT, Hurt RC, Malounda D, Abedi MH, Lee-Gosselin A, Swift MB, Maresca D, Shapiro MG. Acoustically triggered mechanotherapy using genetically encoded gas vesicles. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:1403-1412. [PMID: 34580468 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00971-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular engineering and synthetic biology provide biomolecular and cell-based therapies with a high degree of molecular specificity, but limited spatiotemporal control. Here we show that biomolecules and cells can be engineered to deliver potent mechanical effects at specific locations inside the body through ultrasound-induced inertial cavitation. This capability is enabled by gas vesicles, a unique class of genetically encodable air-filled protein nanostructures. We show that low-frequency ultrasound can convert these biomolecules into micrometre-scale cavitating bubbles, unleashing strong local mechanical effects. This enables engineered gas vesicles to serve as remotely actuated cell-killing and tissue-disrupting agents, and allows genetically engineered cells to lyse, release molecular payloads and produce local mechanical damage on command. We demonstrate the capabilities of biomolecular inertial cavitation in vitro, in cellulo and in vivo, including in a mouse model of tumour-homing probiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinoam Bar-Zion
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Atousa Nourmahnad
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - David R Mittelstein
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Shirin Shivaei
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sangjin Yoo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Marjorie T Buss
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Robert C Hurt
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Dina Malounda
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mohamad H Abedi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Margaret B Swift
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - David Maresca
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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11
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Wang R, Zhang L, Xie M, Wang L, Jin Q, Chen Y, Xie Y, He M, Zhu Y, Xu L, Han Z, Chen D. Biogenic Gas Vesicles for Ultrasound Imaging and Targeted Therapeutics. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1316-1330. [PMID: 34225604 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210705145642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound is not only the most widely used medical imaging mode for diagnostics owing to its real-time, non-radiation, portable, and low-cost merits, but also a promising targeted drug/gene delivery technique by exhibiting a series of powerful bioeffects. The development of micron-sized or nanometer-sized ultrasound agents or delivery carriers further makes ultrasound a distinctive modality in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. In this review, we introduce one kind of unique biogenic gas-filled protein nanostructures called gas vesicles, presenting some unique characteristics than the conventional microbubbles. Gas vesicles can not only serve as ultrasound contrast agents with innovative imaging methods such as cross-amplitude modulation harmonic imaging but also can further be adjusted and optimized via genetic engineering techniques. Moreover, they could not only serve as acoustic gene reporters, acoustic biosensors to monitor the cell metabolism, but also serve as cavitation nuclei and drug carriers for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we focus on the latest development and applications in the area of ultrasound imaging and targeted therapeutics, and also provide a brief introduction of the corresponding mechanisms. In summary, these biogenic gas vesicles show some advantages over conventional MBs that deserve more efforts to promote their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingxing Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lufang Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaofeng Jin
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yihan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuji Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengrong He
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengyang Han
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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12
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Shapiro MG. Reporter Genes for Ultrasound and MRI. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00051-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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13
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Ling B, Lee J, Maresca D, Lee-Gosselin A, Malounda D, Swift MB, Shapiro MG. Biomolecular Ultrasound Imaging of Phagolysosomal Function. ACS NANO 2020; 14:12210-12221. [PMID: 32902951 PMCID: PMC7685203 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Phagocytic clearance and lysosomal processing of pathogens and debris are essential functions of the innate immune system. However, the assessment of these functions in vivo is challenging because most nanoscale contrast agents compatible with noninvasive imaging techniques are made from nonbiodegradable synthetic materials that do not undergo regular lysosomal degradation. To overcome this challenge, we describe the use of an all-protein contrast agent to directly visualize and quantify phagocytic and lysosomal activities in vivo by ultrasound imaging. This contrast agent is based on gas vesicles (GVs), a class of air-filled protein nanostructures naturally expressed by buoyant microbes. Using a combination of ultrasound imaging, pharmacology, immunohistology, and live-cell optical microscopy, we show that after intravenous injection, GVs are cleared from circulation by liver-resident macrophages. Once internalized, the GVs undergo lysosomal degradation, resulting in the elimination of their ultrasound contrast. By noninvasively monitoring the temporal dynamics of GV-generated ultrasound signal in circulation and in the liver and fitting them with a pharmacokinetic model, we can quantify the rates of phagocytosis and lysosomal degradation in living animals. We demonstrate the utility of this method by showing how these rates are perturbed in two models of liver dysfunction: phagocyte deficiency and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The combination of proteolytically degradable nanoscale contrast agents and quantitative ultrasound imaging thus enables noninvasive functional imaging of cellular degradative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill Ling
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - Justin Lee
- Division of Biology and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - David Maresca
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - Dina Malounda
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - Margaret B. Swift
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, United States
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14
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Maresca D, Payen T, Lee-Gosselin A, Ling B, Malounda D, Demené C, Tanter M, Shapiro MG. Acoustic biomolecules enhance hemodynamic functional ultrasound imaging of neural activity. Neuroimage 2020; 209:116467. [PMID: 31846757 PMCID: PMC6955150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemodynamic functional ultrasound imaging (fUS) of neural activity provides a unique combination of spatial coverage, spatiotemporal resolution and compatibility with freely moving animals. However, deep and transcranial monitoring of brain activity and the imaging of dynamics in slow-flowing blood vessels remains challenging. To enhance fUS capabilities, we introduce biomolecular hemodynamic enhancers based on gas vesicles (GVs), genetically encodable ultrasound contrast agents derived from buoyant photosynthetic microorganisms. We show that intravenously infused GVs enhance ultrafast Doppler ultrasound contrast and visually-evoked hemodynamic contrast in transcranial fUS of the mouse brain. This hemodynamic contrast enhancement is smoother than that provided by conventional microbubbles, allowing GVs to more reliably amplify neuroimaging signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Maresca
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Payen
- Physics for Medicine Paris, INSERM, CNRS, ESPCI, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Bill Ling
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Dina Malounda
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Charlie Demené
- Physics for Medicine Paris, INSERM, CNRS, ESPCI, Paris, France
| | - Mickaël Tanter
- Physics for Medicine Paris, INSERM, CNRS, ESPCI, Paris, France
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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15
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Coupling Chlorin e6 to the surface of Nanoscale Gas Vesicles strongly enhance their intracellular delivery and photodynamic killing of cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2802. [PMID: 32071325 PMCID: PMC7029015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59584-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-based nanobubbles such as halophilic archaeabacterial gas vesicles (GVs) represent a new class of stable, homogeneous nanoparticles with acoustic properties that allow them to be visualized by ultrasound (US) waves. To design GVs as theranostic agents, we modified them to respond to light, with a view to locally generate reactive oxygen species that can kill cancer cells. Specifically, up to 60,000 photoreactive chlorin e6 (Ce6) molecules were chemically attached to lysine ε-amino groups present on the surface of each purified Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 GV. The resulting fluorescent NRC-1 Ce6-GVs have dimensions comparable to that of native GVs and were efficiently taken up by human breast [MCF-7] and human hypopharyngeal [FaDu-GFP] cancer cells as monitored by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. When exposed to light, internalized Ce6-GVs were 200-fold more effective on a molar basis than free Ce6 at killing cells. These results demonstrate the potential of Ce6-GVs as novel and promising nanomaterials for image-guided photodynamic therapy.
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16
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Yan J, Yin M, Foster FS, Démoré CEM. Tumor Contrast Imaging with Gas Vesicles by Circumventing the Reticuloendothelial System. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:359-368. [PMID: 31708270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Gas vesicles (GVs) are nanosized structures (45-800 nm) and have been reported to produce non-linear contrast signals, making them an attractive agent for molecular targeting of tumors. One barrier to their use for pre-clinical oncology studies is rapid uptake into the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and consequent rapid decrease in contrast signal after infusion ends and low signal on reperfusion after a bubble burst sequence. The purpose of this study was to examine suppression of the RES and surface modification of GVs to prolong contrast circulation in tumors for ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound imaging to measure dynamics of contrast signal intensity in tumor models was carried out using a 21-MHz high-frequency array transducer with the Vevo 2100 ultrasound system. The non-linear contrast signal from intravenously injected GVs compared with peak enhancement was measured during contrast wash-out and on reperfusion after a contrast burst sequence. Disrupting the RES by saturating the macrophage population or chemically inhibiting the Kupffer cell population with gadolinium or Intralipid preserves 62%-88% of GVs' contrast enhancement relative to peak during the wash-out phase and 32%-56% on reperfusion compared with 38% and 14%, respectively, for no disruption of the RES, indicating longer circulation of GVs in the tumor. Additionally, coating the GVs with 2-, 5- or 10-kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains resulted in >70% contrast signal retention in the tumors during wash-out and, for 5- or 10-kDa PEG chains, a return to >45% of peak contrast signal on reperfusion. These findings indicate that GVs can be used as a contrast agent for tumor imaging and that disruption of the RES improved recirculation and maintained contrast enhancement caused by GVs in the tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Yan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Melissa Yin
- FUJIFILM VisualSonics Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - F Stuart Foster
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E M Démoré
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Wang G, Song L, Hou X, Kala S, Wong KF, Tang L, Dai Y, Sun L. Surface-modified GVs as nanosized contrast agents for molecular ultrasound imaging of tumor. Biomaterials 2020; 236:119803. [PMID: 32028170 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.119803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nanobubbles, as a kind of new ultrasound contrast agent (UCAs), have shown promise to penetrate tumor vasculature to allow for targeted imaging. However, their inherent physical instability is an ongoing concern that could weaken their imaging ability with ultrasound. Gas vesicles (GVs), which are genetically encoded, naturally stable nanostructures, have been developed as the first ultrasonic biomolecular reporters which showed strong contrast enhancement. However, further development of tumor imaging with GVs is limited by the quick clearance of GVs by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Here, we developed PEGylated HA-GVs (PH-GVs) for in-tumor molecular ultrasound imaging by integrating polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in GV shells. PH-GVs were observed to accumulate around CD44-positive cells (SCC7) but not be internalized by macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Green fluorescence from PH-GVs was found around cell nuclei in the tumor site after 6 h and the signal was sustained over 48 h following tail injection, demonstrating PH-GVs' ability to escape the clearance from the RES and to penetrate tumor vasculature through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. Further, PH-GVs produced strong ultrasound contrast in the tumor site in vivo, with no obvious side-effects detected following intravenous injection. Thus, we demonstrate the potential of PH-GVs as novel, nanosized and targeted UCAs for efficient and specific molecular tumor imaging, paving the way for the application of GVs in precise and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohao Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Lin Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xuandi Hou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Shashwati Kala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kin Fung Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Liya Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yunlu Dai
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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