Sonopharmacology: controlling pharmacotherapy and diagnosis by ultrasound-induced polymer mechanochemistry

Polymer time crystal: Mechanical activation of reversible bonds by low-amplitude high frequency excitations

Reversible supramolecular bonds play an important role in materials science and in biological systems. The equilibrium between open and closed bonds and the association rate can be controlled thermally, chemically, by mechanical pulling, by ultrasound, or by catalysts. In practice, these intrinsic equilibrium methods either suffer from a limited range of tunability or may damage the material. Here, we present a nonequilibrium strategy that exploits the dissipative properties of the system to control and change the dynamic properties of sacrificial and reversible networks. We show theoretically and numerically how high-frequency mechanical oscillations of very low amplitude can open or close bonds. This mechanism indicates how reversible bonds could alleviate mechanical fatigue of materials especially at low temperatures where they are fragile. In another area, it suggests that the system can be actively modified by the application of ultrasound to induce gel-fluid transitions and to activate or deactivate adhesion properties.

Ultrasound-Controlled Prodrug Activation: Emerging Strategies in Polymer Mechanochemistry and Sonodynamic Therapy

Ultrasound has gained prominence in biomedical applications due to its noninvasive nature and ability to penetrate deep tissue with spatial and temporal resolution. The burgeoning field of ultrasound-responsive prodrug systems exploits the mechanical and chemical effects of ultrasonication for the controlled activation of prodrugs. In polymer mechanochemistry, materials scientists exploit the sonomechanical effect of acoustic cavitation to mechanochemically activate force-sensitive prodrugs. On the other hand, researchers in the field of sonodynamic therapy adopt fundamentally distinct methodologies, utilizing the sonochemical effect (e.g., generation of reactive oxygen species) of ultrasound in the presence of sonosensitizers to induce chemical transformations that activate prodrugs. This cross-disciplinary review comprehensively examines these two divergent yet interrelated approaches, both of which originated from acoustic cavitation. It highlights molecular and materials design strategies and potential applications in diverse therapeutic contexts, from chemotherapy to immunotherapy and gene therapy methods, and discusses future directions in this rapidly advancing domain.

Sonogenetics for Monitoring and Modulating Biomolecular Function by Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology, synergistically harnessed with genetic engineering and chemistry concepts, has started to open the gateway to the remarkable realm of sonogenetics-a pioneering paradigm for remotely orchestrating cellular functions at the molecular level. This fusion not only enables precisely targeted imaging and therapeutic interventions, but also advances our comprehension of mechanobiology to unparalleled depths. Sonogenetic tools harness mechanical force within small tissue volumes while preserving the integrity of the surrounding physiological environment, reaching depths of up to tens of centimeters with high spatiotemporal precision. These capabilities circumvent the inherent physical limitations of alternative in vivo control methods such as optogenetics and magnetogenetics. In this review, we first discuss mechanosensitive ion channels, the most commonly utilized sonogenetic mediators, in both mammalian and non-mammalian systems. Subsequently, we provide a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art sonogenetic approaches that leverage thermal or mechanical features of ultrasonic waves. Additionally, we explore strategies centered around the design of mechanochemically reactive macromolecular systems. Furthermore, we delve into the realm of ultrasound imaging of biomolecular function, encompassing the utilization of gas vesicles and acoustic reporter genes. Finally, we shed light on limitations and challenges of sonogenetics and present a perspective on the future of this promising technology.

Mechanochemical Activation of DNAzyme by Ultrasound

Controlling the activity of DNAzymes by external triggers is an important task. Here a temporal control over DNAzyme activity through a mechanochemical pathway with the help of ultrasound (US) is demonstrated. The deactivation of the DNAzyme is achieved by hybridization to a complementary strand generated through rolling circle amplification (RCA), an enzymatic polymerization process. Due to the high molar mass of the resulting polynucleic acids, shear force can be applied on the RCA strand through inertial cavitation induced by US. This exerts mechanical force and leads to the cleavage of the base pairing between RCA strand and DNAzyme, resulting in the recovery of DNAzyme activity. This is the first time that this release mechanism is applied for the activation of catalytic nucleic acids, and it has multiple advantages over other stimuli. US has higher penetration depth into tissues compared to light, and it offers a more specific stimulus than heat, which has also limited use in biological systems due to cell damage caused by hyperthermia. This approach is envisioned to improve the control over DNAzyme activity for the development of reliable and specific sensing applications.

Bioorthogonal Bond Cleavage Chemistry for On-demand Prodrug Activation: Opportunities and Challenges

Time- and space-resolved drug delivery is highly demanded for cancer treatment, which, however, can barely be achieved with a traditional prodrug strategy. In recent years, the prodrug strategy based on a bioorthogonal bond cleavage chemistry has emerged with the advantages of high temporospatial resolution over drug activation and homogeneous activation irrespective of individual heterogeneity. In the past five years, tremendous progress has been witnessed in this field with one such bioorthogonal prodrug entering Phase II clinical trials. This Perspective aims to highlight these new advances (2019-2023) and critically discuss their pros and cons. In addition, the remaining challenges and potential strategic directions for future progress will also be included.

Mechanochemical Degradation of Biopolymers

Mechanochemical treatment of various organic molecules is an emerging technology of green processes in biofuel, fine chemicals, or food production. Many biopolymers are involved in isolating, derivating, or modifying molecules of natural origin. Mechanochemistry provides a powerful tool to achieve these goals, but the unintentional modification of biopolymers by mechanochemical manipulation is not always obvious or even detectable. Although modeling molecular changes caused by mechanical stresses in cavitation and grinding processes is feasible in small model compounds, simulation of extrusion processes primarily relies on phenomenological approaches that allow only tool- and material-specific conclusions. The development of analytical and computational techniques allows for the inline and real-time control of parameters in various mechanochemical processes. Using artificial intelligence to analyze process parameters and product characteristics can significantly improve production optimization. We aim to review the processes and consequences of possible chemical, physicochemical, and structural changes.

Polymeric materials for ultrasound imaging and therapy

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.

Polymer Mechanochemistry in Microbubbles

Polymer mechanochemistry is a promising technology to convert mechanical energy into chemical functionality by breaking covalent and supramolecular bonds site-selectively. Yet, the mechanochemical reaction rates of covalent bonds in typically used ultrasonication setups lead to reasonable conversions only after comparably long sonication times. This can be accelerated by either increasing the reactivity of the mechanoresponsive moiety or by modifying the encompassing polymer topology. Here, a microbubble system with a tailored polymer shell consisting of an N2 gas core and a mechanoresponsive disulfide-containing polymer network is presented. It is found that the mechanochemical activation of the disulfides is greatly accelerated using these microbubbles compared to commensurate solid core particles or capsules filled with liquid. Aided by computational simulations, it is found that low shell thickness, low shell stiffness and crosslink density, and a size-dependent eigenfrequency close to the used ultrasound frequency maximize the mechanochemical yield over the course of the sonication process.

Controlled Degradation of Polycaprolactone Polymers through Ultrasound Stimulation

This study describes the development of an ultrasound-responsive polymer system that provides on-demand degradation when exposed to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Diels-Alder cycloadducts were used to crosslink polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers and underwent a retro Diels-Alder reaction when stimulated with HIFU. Two Diels-Alder polymer compositions were explored to evaluate the link between reverse reaction energy barriers and polymer degradation rates. PCL crosslinked with isosorbide was also used as a non-Diels-Alder-based control polymer. An increase of HIFU exposure time and amplitude correlated with an increase of PCL degradation for Diels-Alder-based polymers. Ultrasound imaging during HIFU allowed for real-time visualization of the on-demand degradation through cavitation-based mechanisms. The temperature surrounding the sample was monitored with a thermocouple during HIFU stimulation; a minimal increase in temperature was observed. PCL polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical profilometry, and mechanical testing. PCL degradation byproducts were identified by mass spectrometry, and their cytocompatibility was evaluated in vitro. Overall, this study demonstrated that HIFU is an effective image-guided, external stimulus to control the degradation of Diels-Alder-based PCL polymers on-demand.