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Lyons B, Balkaran JPR, Dunn-Lawless D, Lucian V, Keller SB, O’Reilly CS, Hu L, Rubasingham J, Nair M, Carlisle R, Stride E, Gray M, Coussios C. Sonosensitive Cavitation Nuclei-A Customisable Platform Technology for Enhanced Therapeutic Delivery. Molecules 2023; 28:7733. [PMID: 38067464 PMCID: PMC10708135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound-mediated cavitation shows great promise for improving targeted drug delivery across a range of clinical applications. Cavitation nuclei-sound-sensitive constructs that enhance cavitation activity at lower pressures-have become a powerful adjuvant to ultrasound-based treatments, and more recently emerged as a drug delivery vehicle in their own right. The unique combination of physical, biological, and chemical effects that occur around these structures, as well as their varied compositions and morphologies, make cavitation nuclei an attractive platform for creating delivery systems tuned to particular therapeutics. In this review, we describe the structure and function of cavitation nuclei, approaches to their functionalization and customization, various clinical applications, progress toward real-world translation, and future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lyons
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Joel P. R. Balkaran
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Darcy Dunn-Lawless
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Veronica Lucian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Sara B. Keller
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Colm S. O’Reilly
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK;
| | - Luna Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Jeffrey Rubasingham
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Malavika Nair
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Robert Carlisle
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Michael Gray
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Constantin Coussios
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
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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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Lin F, Yuan S, Ji P, Xu W. Regulation of Bacterial Biofilm Formation by Ultrasound: Role of Autoinducer-2 and Finite-Element Analysis of Acoustic Streaming. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023:S0301-5629(23)00210-7. [PMID: 37438162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The formation of bacterial biofilm regulated by quorum sensing (QS) is a critical factor that contributes to infections of indwelling medical devices. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2), as a signal molecule in QS, plays a crucial role in mediating bacterial signaling and regulating their biological behavior. This study investigated the impact of ultrasonic vibration at varying frequencies on biofilm formation in a mixture of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. METHODS By exciting ultrasound at different frequencies (20, 100 and 200 kHz), a vibration with an amplitude of 100 nm was generated on the material surface located at the bottom of the petri dish containing mixed bacteria. We measured the content of AI-2 and bacteria in the mixed bacterial solution and bioburden on material surfaces at different time points during culture. In addition, the relationships among AI-2 content, bacterial concentration and distribution were assessed through finite-element analysis of acoustic streaming under ultrasonic vibration. RESULTS The AI-2 gradient is influenced by the diversity of acoustic streaming patterns on the material surface and in the mixed bacterial solution caused by ultrasonic vibration at different frequencies, thereby regulating biofilm formation. The experimental results showed that the optimal inhibition effect on AI-2 and minimal bacterial adhesion degree was achieved when applying an ultrasonic frequency of 100 kHz with a power intensity of 46.1 mW/cm2 under an amplitude of 100 nm. CONCLUSION Ultrasound can affect the QS system of bacteria, leading to alterations in their biological behavior. Different species of bacteria exhibit varying degrees of chemotaxis toward different frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Lin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China; Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, Ningbo, China
| | - Songmei Yuan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China; Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Pengzhen Ji
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China; Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, Ningbo, China
| | - Weixian Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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LuTheryn G, Ho EML, Choi V, Carugo D. Cationic Microbubbles for Non-Selective Binding of Cavitation Nuclei to Bacterial Biofilms. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051495. [PMID: 37242736 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of multi-drug resistant biofilms in chronic, persistent infections is a major barrier to successful clinical outcomes of therapy. The production of an extracellular matrix is a characteristic of the biofilm phenotype, intrinsically linked to antimicrobial tolerance. The heterogeneity of the extracellular matrix makes it highly dynamic, with substantial differences in composition between biofilms, even in the same species. This variability poses a major challenge in targeting drug delivery systems to biofilms, as there are few elements both suitably conserved and widely expressed across multiple species. However, the presence of extracellular DNA within the extracellular matrix is ubiquitous across species, which alongside bacterial cell components, gives the biofilm its net negative charge. This research aims to develop a means of targeting biofilms to enhance drug delivery by developing a cationic gas-filled microbubble that non-selectively targets the negatively charged biofilm. Cationic and uncharged microbubbles loaded with different gases were formulated and tested to determine their stability, ability to bind to negatively charged artificial substrates, binding strength, and, subsequently, their ability to adhere to biofilms. It was shown that compared to their uncharged counterparts, cationic microbubbles facilitated a significant increase in the number of microbubbles that could both bind and sustain their interaction with biofilms. This work is the first to demonstrate the utility of charged microbubbles for the non-selective targeting of bacterial biofilms, which could be used to significantly enhance stimuli-mediated drug delivery to the bacterial biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth LuTheryn
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), The Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Elaine M L Ho
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Victor Choi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Dario Carugo
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), The Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK
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Crivello G, Fracchia L, Ciardelli G, Boffito M, Mattu C. In Vitro Models of Bacterial Biofilms: Innovative Tools to Improve Understanding and Treatment of Infections. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13050904. [PMID: 36903781 PMCID: PMC10004855 DOI: 10.3390/nano13050904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial infections are a growing concern to the health care systems. Bacteria in the human body are often found embedded in a dense 3D structure, the biofilm, which makes their eradication even more challenging. Indeed, bacteria in biofilm are protected from external hazards and are more prone to develop antibiotic resistance. Moreover, biofilms are highly heterogeneous, with properties dependent on the bacteria species, the anatomic localization, and the nutrient/flow conditions. Therefore, antibiotic screening and testing would strongly benefit from reliable in vitro models of bacterial biofilms. This review article summarizes the main features of biofilms, with particular focus on parameters affecting biofilm composition and mechanical properties. Moreover, a thorough overview of the in vitro biofilm models recently developed is presented, focusing on both traditional and advanced approaches. Static, dynamic, and microcosm models are described, and their main features, advantages, and disadvantages are compared and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Crivello
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - L. Fracchia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - G. Ciardelli
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - M. Boffito
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - C. Mattu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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LuTheryn G, Hind C, Campbell C, Crowther A, Wu Q, Keller SB, Glynne-Jones P, Sutton JM, Webb JS, Gray M, Wilks SA, Stride E, Carugo D. Bactericidal and anti-biofilm effects of uncharged and cationic ultrasound-responsive nitric oxide microbubbles on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:956808. [PMID: 35992170 PMCID: PMC9386126 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.956808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are a major and ongoing concern for public health, featuring both inherited genetic resistance traits and a conferred innate tolerance to traditional antibiotic therapies. Consequently, there is a growing need for novel methods of drug delivery, to increase the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. This research evaluated the anti-biofilm and bactericidal effects of ultrasound responsive gas-microbubbles (MBs) of either air or nitric oxide, using an in vitro Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm model grown in artificial wound medium. The four lipid-based MB formulations evaluated were room-air MBs (RAMBs) and nitric oxide MBs (NOMBs) with no electrical charge, as well as cationic (+) RAMBs+ and NOMBs+. Two principal treatment conditions were used: i) ultrasound stimulated MBs only, and ii) ultrasound stimulated MBs with a sub-inhibitory concentration (4 µg/mL) of the antibiotic gentamicin. The total treatment time was divided into a 60 second passive MB interaction period prior to 40 second ultrasound exposure; each MB formulation was tested in triplicate. Ultrasound stimulated RAMBs and NOMBs without antibiotic achieved reductions in biofilm biomass of 93.3% and 94.0%, respectively. Their bactericidal efficacy however was limited, with a reduction in culturable cells of 26.9% and 65.3%, respectively. NOMBs with sub-inhibitory antibiotic produced the most significant reduction in biofilm biomass, corresponding to a 99.9% (SD ± 5.21%); and a 99.9% (SD ± 0.07%) (3-log) reduction in culturable bacterial cells. Cationic MBs were initially manufactured to promote binding of MBs to negatively charged biofilms, but these formulations also demonstrated intrinsic bactericidal properties. In the absence of antibiotic, the bactericidal efficacy of RAMB+ and NOMB+ was greater that of uncharged counterparts, reducing culturable cells by 84.7% and 86.1% respectively; increasing to 99.8% when combined with antibiotic. This study thus demonstrates the anti-biofilm and bactericidal utility of ultrasound stimulated MBs, and specifically is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of a NOMB for the dispersal and potentiation of antibiotics against bacterial biofilms in vitro. Importantly the biofilm system and complex growth-medium were selected to recapitulate key morphological features of in vivo biofilms. The results us offer new insight for the development of new clinical treatments, for example, in chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth LuTheryn
- University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Gareth LuTheryn, ; ; Dario Carugo, ;
| | - Charlotte Hind
- Healthcare Biotechnology, United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Campbell
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Crowther
- University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Qiang Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sara B. Keller
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Glynne-Jones
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - J. Mark Sutton
- Healthcare Biotechnology, United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy S. Webb
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Gray
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra A. Wilks
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Carugo
- University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Gareth LuTheryn, ; ; Dario Carugo, ;
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