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van den Broek MRP, Versluis M, van den Berg A, Segers T. Functionalized monodisperse microbubble production: microfluidic method for fast, controlled, and automated removal of excess coating material. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:120. [PMID: 39214967 PMCID: PMC11364838 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00760-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Functionalized monodisperse microbubbles have the potential to boost the sensitivity and efficacy of molecular ultrasound imaging and targeted drug delivery using bubbles and ultrasound. Monodisperse bubbles can be produced in a microfluidic flow focusing device. However, their functionalization and sequential use require removal of the excess lipids from the bubble suspension to minimize the use of expensive ligands and to avoid competitive binding and blocking of the receptor molecules. To date, excess lipid removal is performed by centrifugation, which is labor intensive and challenging to automate. More importantly, as we show, the increased hydrostatic pressure during centrifugation can reduce bubble monodispersity. Here, we introduce a novel automated microfluidic 'washing' method. First, bubbles are injected in a microfluidic chamber 1 mm in height where they are left to float against the top wall. Second, lipid-free medium is pumped through the chamber to remove excess lipids while the bubbles remain located at the top wall. Third, the washed bubbles are resuspended and removed from the device into a collection vial. We demonstrate that the present method can (i) reduce the excess lipid concentration by 4 orders of magnitude, (ii) be fully automated, and (iii) be performed in minutes while the size distribution, functionality, and acoustic response of the bubbles remain unaffected. Thus, the presented method is a gateway to the fully automated production of functionalized monodisperse microbubbles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R P van den Broek
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip Group, Max Planck Center Twente for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - M Versluis
- Physics of Fluids Group, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - A van den Berg
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip Group, Max Planck Center Twente for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - T Segers
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip Group, Max Planck Center Twente for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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2
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Chen PY, Yeh CK, Hsu PH, Lin CY, Huang CY, Wei KC, Liu HL. Drug-carrying microbubbles as a theranostic tool in convection-enhanced delivery for brain tumor therapy. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42359-42371. [PMID: 28418846 PMCID: PMC5522072 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a promising technique for infusing a therapeutic agent through a catheter with a pressure gradient to create bulk flow for improving drug spread into the brain. So far, gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) is the most commonly applied surrogate agent for predicting drug distribution through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, Gd-DTPA provides only a short observation duration, and concurrent infusion provides an indirect measure of the exact drug distribution. In this study, we propose using microbubbles as a contrast agent for MRI monitoring, and evaluate their use as a drug-carrying vehicle to directly monitor the infused drug. Results show that microbubbles can provide excellent detectability through MRI relaxometry and accurately represent drug distribution during CED infusion. Compared with the short half-life of Gd-DTPA (1-2 hours), microbubbles allow an extended observation period of up to 12 hours. Moreover, microbubbles provide a sufficiently high drug payload, and glioma mice that underwent a CED infusion of microbubbles carrying doxorubicin presented considerable tumor growth suppression and a significantly improved survival rate. This study recommends microbubbles as a new theranostic tool for CED procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hung Hsu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yin Lin
- Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chen Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.,Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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3
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Dixon AJ, Rickel JMR, Shin BD, Klibanov AL, Hossack JA. In Vitro Sonothrombolysis Enhancement by Transiently Stable Microbubbles Produced by a Flow-Focusing Microfluidic Device. Ann Biomed Eng 2018; 46:222-232. [PMID: 29192346 PMCID: PMC5771861 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches that enhance thrombolysis by combining recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), ultrasound, and/or microbubbles (MBs) are known as sonothrombolysis techniques. To date, sonothrombolysis approaches have primarily utilized commercially available MB formulations (or derivatives thereof) with diameters in the range 1-4 µm and circulation lifetimes between 5 and 15 min. The present study evaluated the in vitro sonothrombolysis efficacy of large diameter MBs (d MB ≥ 10 µm) with much shorter lifetimes that were produced on demand and in close proximity to the blood clot using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. MBs with a N2 gas core and a non-crosslinked bovine serum albumin shell were produced with diameters between 10 and 20 µm at rates between 50 and 950 × 103 per second. Use of these large MBs resulted in approximately 4.0-8.8 fold increases in thrombolysis rates compared to a clinical rtPA dose and approximately 2.1-4.2 fold increases in thrombolysis rates compared to sonothrombolysis techniques using conventional MBs. The results of this study indicate that the large diameter microbubbles with transient stability are capable of significantly enhanced in vitro sonothrombolysis rates when delivered directly to the clot immediately following production by a flow focusing microfluidic device placed essentially in situ adjacent to the clot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Dixon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | | | - Brian D Shin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- School of Medicine - Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - John A Hossack
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Wang W, Liu GJ, Xie XY, Xu ZF, Chen LD, Huang GL, Zhou LY, Lu MD. Development and evaluation of lipid microbubbles targeted to alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin via biotin–avidin bridge. J Microencapsul 2011; 29:177-84. [DOI: 10.3109/02652048.2011.638993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Nakatsuka MA, Hsu MJ, Esener SC, Cha JN, Goodwin AP. DNA-coated microbubbles with biochemically tunable ultrasound contrast activity. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2011; 23:4908-12. [PMID: 21956383 PMCID: PMC3622060 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201102677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Changing the mechanical properties of the microbubble shell in response to a biochemical stimulus leads to vast changes in both ultrasound-induced bubble dynamics and contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. Here, DNA-coated microbubbles are shown to be a simple and highly versatile platform that can silence and re-activate contrast activity in response to the introduction and removal of biochemical stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Nakatsuka
- Dept. of Nanoengineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0448 La Jolla, CA 92093-0448 (USA)
| | - Mark J. Hsu
- Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0407 La Jolla, CA 92093-0407 (USA)
| | - Sadik C. Esener
- Dept. of Nanoengineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0448 La Jolla, CA 92093-0448 (USA)
- Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0407 La Jolla, CA 92093-0407 (USA)
| | - Jennifer N. Cha
- Dept. of Nanoengineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0448 La Jolla, CA 92093-0448 (USA)
| | - Andrew P. Goodwin
- Dept. of Nanoengineering University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. #0448 La Jolla, CA 92093-0448 (USA)
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Kornmann LM, Reesink KD, Reneman RS, Hoeks APG. Critical appraisal of targeted ultrasound contrast agents for molecular imaging in large arteries. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2010; 36:181-91. [PMID: 20018434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2009] [Revised: 08/26/2009] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging may provide new insights into the early detection and development of atherosclerosis before first symptoms occur. One of the techniques in use employs noninvasive ultrasound. In the past decade, experimental and clinical validation studies showed that for the microcirculation targeted ultrasound contrast agents, such as echogenic liposomes, microbubbles and perfluorocarbon emulsions, do improve visualization of specific structures. For large arteries, however, successful application is less obvious. In this review, we will address the challenges for molecular imaging of large arteries. We will discuss the problems encountered in the use of targeted ultrasound contrast agents presently available, mainly based on data obtained in flow chambers and animal studies because clinical studies are lacking. We conclude that molecular imaging of activated endothelium in large- and middle-sized arteries by site-specific accumulation of contrast material is still difficult to achieve due to wall shear stress conditions in these vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liselotte M Kornmann
- Department of Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Klibanov AL. Microbubble contrast agents: targeted ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-assisted drug-delivery applications. Invest Radiol 2006; 41:354-62. [PMID: 16481920 DOI: 10.1097/01.rli.0000199292.88189.0f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The use of microbubble contrast agents for general tissue delineation and perfusion enjoys steady interest in ultrasound imaging. Microbubbles as contrast materials require a small dosage and show excellent detection sensitivity. Targeting ligands on the surface of microbubbles permit the selective accumulation of these particles in the areas of interest, which show an up-regulated level of receptor molecules on vascular endothelium. Selective contrast imaging of inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, angiogenesis, and thrombosis has been achieved in animal models. Ultrasound-assisted drug delivery and activation, performed by combining microbubble agent containing drug substances or coadministered with pharmaceutical agents (including plasmid DNA for transfection), has been achieved in multiple model systems in vitro and in vivo. Ultrasound and microbubbles-based targeted acceleration of the thrombolytic enzyme action already have reached clinical trials. Overall, microbubble targeting and ultrasound-assisted microbubble-based drug-delivery systems will offer a step toward the application of targeted personalized diagnostics and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0158, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah H Bloch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis 95616, USA
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Abstract
The discipline of medical imaging is expanding to include both traditional anatomic modalities and new techniques for the functional assessment of the presence and extent of disease. Current FDA-approved ultrasound contrast agents are micron-sized bubbles with a stabilizing shell. Microbubble contrast agents can be used to estimate microvascular flow rate in a manner similar to dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The concentration of these agents within the vasculature, reticulo-endothelial, or lymphatic systems produces an effective passive targeting of these areas. Liquid-filled nanoparticles and liposomes have also demonstrated echogenicity and are under evaluation as ultrasound contrast agents. Actively targeted ultrasound relies on specially designed contrast agents to localize the targeted molecular signature or physiologic system. These agents typically remain within the vascular space, and therefore possible targets include molecular markers on thrombus, endothelial cells, and leukocytes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the requirements, challenges, current progress, and future directions of targeted imaging with ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Dayton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Tardy I, Pochon S, Theraulaz M, Nanjappan P, Schneider M. In vivo ultrasound imaging of thrombi using a target-specific contrast agent. Acad Radiol 2002; 9 Suppl 2:S294-6. [PMID: 12188252 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(03)80207-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I Tardy
- Bracco Research SA, Geneva, Switzerland
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Hall CS, Marsh JN, Scott MJ, Gaffney PJ, Wickline SA, Lanza GM. Temperature dependence of ultrasonic enhancement with a site-targeted contrast agent. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2001; 110:1677-1684. [PMID: 11572376 DOI: 10.1121/1.1395584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging contrast agents specifically detect the biochemical "signatures" of disease before anatomical manifestations are apparent. Sensitive and specific localization of fibrin both in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated with the use of a ligand-directed liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticle. Since the acoustic properties of perfluorocarbons are known to vary with temperature, it was hypothesized that temperature could be used to augment the magnitude of enhancement imparted by targeted nanoparticles. Accordingly, the acoustic backscatter of two different substrates, nitrocellulose membrane and human plasma clot, targeted by the nanoparticles was measured at temperatures ranging from 27 degrees to 47 degrees C in 5 degrees C increments. Classic avidin-biotin interactions were utilized to couple biotinylated nanoparticles to avidin-conjugated nitrocellulose membranes. Ultrasonic contrast enhancement of the nitrocellulose membrane at 25 MHz, measured by acoustic microscopy, increased from 2.0+/-0.3 dB at 27 degrees C to 3.7+/-0.4 at 47 degrees C. In a similar experiment, antifibrin nanoparticles bound to human plasma clots also exhibited temperature-dependent ultrasonic signal enhancement ranging from 13.9+/-1.5 dB at 27 degrees C to 18.1+/-1.5 dB at 47 degrees C. The increase in ultrasonic contrast enhancement measured was well described by a simple, acoustic transmission line model with temperature-dependent impedance. These results suggest that temperature-dependent changes in acoustic backscatter may be used to further differentiate tissues targeted with site-specific nanoparticles from surrounding normal soft tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Hall
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Hall CS, Marsh JN, Scott MJ, Gaffney PJ, Wickline SA, Lanza GM. Time evolution of enhanced ultrasonic reflection using a fibrin-targeted nanoparticulate contrast agent. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2000; 108:3049-57. [PMID: 11144597 DOI: 10.1121/1.1322566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Complex molecular signaling heralds the early stages of pathologies such as angiogenesis, inflammation, unstable atherosclerotic plaques, and areas of remote thrombi. In previous studies, acoustic enhancement of blood clot morphology was demonstrated with the use of a nongaseous, fibrin-targeted acoustic nanoparticle emulsion delivered to areas of thrombosis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a system was designed and constructed that allows visualization of the evolution of acoustic contrast enhancement. To evaluate the system, two targets were examined: avidin-complexed nitrocellulose membrane and human plasma clots. The time evolution of enhancement was visualized in 10-min increments for 1 h. A monotonic increase was observed in ultrasonic reflection enhancement from specially treated nitrocellulose membranes for targeted emulsions containing perfluorooctylbromide (1.30+/-0.3 dB) and for perfluorooctane (2.64+/-0.5 dB) within the first 60 min of imaging. In comparison, the inherently nonechogenic plasma clots showed a substantial increase of 12.0+/-0.9 dB when targeted with a perfluoro-octane emulsion. This study demonstrates the concept of molecular imaging and provides the first quantifiable time-evolution report of the binding of a site-targeted ultrasonic contrast agent. Moreover, with the incorporation of specific drug treatments into the nanoparticulate contrast agent, ultrasonic molecular imaging may yield reliable detection and quantification of nascent pathologies and facilitate targeted drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Hall
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Klibanov AL, Hughes MS, Villanueva FS, Jankowski RJ, Wagner WR, Wojdyla JK, Wible JH, Brandenburger GH. Targeting and ultrasound imaging of microbubble-based contrast agents. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 1999; 8:177-84. [PMID: 10504045 DOI: 10.1007/bf02594596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Preparation and characterization of targeted microbubbles (ultrasound contrast agents) is described. Specific ligands were attached to the microbubble shell, and ligand-coated microbubbles were selectively attached to various targets, using either an avidin biotin model system or an antigen-antibody system for targeting to live activated endothelial cells. Firm attachment of microbubbles to the target was achieved. Forces necessary to detach microbubbles from the target were estimated to exceed dozens of pN. Microbubbles were bound to the target even in the rapidly moving stream of the aqueous medium. Down to 20 ng of the ultrasound contrast material on the target surface could be detected by the ultrasound imaging with a commercial medical imaging system. At high bubble density on the target surface, strong ultrasound image attenuation was observed.
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