1
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Dogan NO, Suadiye E, Wrede P, Lazovic J, Dayan CB, Soon RH, Aghakhani A, Richter G, Sitti M. Immune Cell-Based Microrobots for Remote Magnetic Actuation, Antitumor Activity, and Medical Imaging. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400711. [PMID: 38885528 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Translating medical microrobots into clinics requires tracking, localization, and performing assigned medical tasks at target locations, which can only happen when appropriate design, actuation mechanisms, and medical imaging systems are integrated into a single microrobot. Despite this, these parameters are not fully considered when designing macrophage-based microrobots. This study presents living macrophage-based microrobots that combine macrophages with magnetic Janus particles coated with FePt nanofilm for magnetic steering and medical imaging and bacterial lipopolysaccharides for stimulating macrophages in a tumor-killing state. The macrophage-based microrobots combine wireless magnetic actuation, tracking with medical imaging techniques, and antitumor abilities. These microrobots are imaged under magnetic resonance imaging and optoacoustic imaging in soft-tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex vivo conditions. Magnetic actuation and real-time imaging of microrobots are demonstrated under static and physiologically relevant flow conditions using optoacoustic imaging. Further, macrophage-based microrobots are magnetically steered toward urinary bladder tumor spheroids and imaged with a handheld optoacoustic device, where the microrobots significantly reduce the viability of tumor spheroids. The proposed approach demonstrates the proof-of-concept feasibility of integrating macrophage-based microrobots into clinic imaging modalities for cancer targeting and intervention, and can also be implemented for various other medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal Olcay Dogan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Eylül Suadiye
- Materials Central Scientific Facility, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Paul Wrede
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Jelena Lazovic
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Cem Balda Dayan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ren Hao Soon
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gunther Richter
- Materials Central Scientific Facility, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
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2
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Karpf S, Glöckner Burmeister N, Dubreil L, Ghosh S, Hollandi R, Pichon J, Leroux I, Henkel A, Lutz V, Jurkevičius J, Latshaw A, Kilin V, Kutscher T, Wiggert M, Saavedra-Villanueva O, Vogel A, Huber RA, Horvath P, Rouger K, Bonacina L. Harmonic Imaging of Stem Cells in Whole Blood at GHz Pixel Rate. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401472. [PMID: 38863131 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The pre-clinical validation of cell therapies requires monitoring the biodistribution of transplanted cells in tissues of host organisms. Real-time detection of these cells in the circulatory system and identification of their aggregation state is a crucial piece of information, but necessitates deep penetration and fast imaging with high selectivity, subcellular resolution, and high throughput. In this study, multiphoton-based in-flow detection of human stem cells in whole, unfiltered blood is demonstrated in a microfluidic channel. The approach relies on a multiphoton microscope with diffractive scanning in the direction perpendicular to the flow via a rapidly wavelength-swept laser. Stem cells are labeled with metal oxide harmonic nanoparticles. Thanks to their strong and quasi-instantaneous second harmonic generation (SHG), an imaging rate in excess of 10 000 frames per second is achieved with pixel dwell times of 1 ns, a duration shorter than typical fluorescence lifetimes yet compatible with SHG. Through automated cell identification and segmentation, morphological features of each individual detected event are extracted and cell aggregates are distinguished from isolated cells. This combination of high-speed multiphoton microscopy and high-sensitivity SHG nanoparticle labeling in turbid media promises the detection of rare cells in the bloodstream for assessing novel cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Karpf
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Shayantani Ghosh
- Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine, 20, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
| | - Reka Hollandi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre (BRC), Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | | | | | - Alessandra Henkel
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Valerie Lutz
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Jonas Jurkevičius
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Alexandra Latshaw
- Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine, 20, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
| | - Vasyl Kilin
- Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine, 20, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
| | - Tonio Kutscher
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Moritz Wiggert
- Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine, 20, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
| | | | - Alfred Vogel
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Robert A Huber
- Institute of Biomedical Optics (BMO), University Of Luebeck, 23562, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Peter Horvath
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre (BRC), Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Karl Rouger
- Oniris, INRAE, PAnther, Nantes, F-44307, France
| | - Luigi Bonacina
- Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine, 20, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
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3
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Jang P, Ser J, Cardenas K, Kim HJ, Hickey M, Jang J, Gladstone J, Bailey A, Dinh J, Nguyen V, DeMarco E, Srinivas S, Kang H, Kashiwagi S, Bao K, Yamashita A, Choi HS. HSA-ZW800-PEG for Enhanced Optophysical Stability and Tumor Targeting. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:559. [PMID: 38203730 PMCID: PMC10779243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Small molecule fluorophores often face challenges such as short blood half-life, limited physicochemical and optical stability, and poor pharmacokinetics. To overcome these limitations, we conjugated the zwitterionic near-infrared fluorophore ZW800-PEG to human serum albumin (HSA), creating HSA-ZW800-PEG. This conjugation notably improves chemical, physical, and optical stability under physiological conditions, addressing issues commonly encountered with small molecules in biological applications. Additionally, the high molecular weight and extinction coefficient of HSA-ZW800-PEG enhances biodistribution and tumor targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention effect. The unique distribution and elimination dynamics, along with the significantly extended blood half-life of HSA-ZW800-PEG, contribute to improved tumor targetability in both subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft tumor-bearing animal models. This modification not only influences the pharmacokinetic profile, affecting retention time and clearance patterns, but also enhances bioavailability for targeting tissues. Our study guides further development and optimization of targeted imaging agents and drug-delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Jang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Jinhui Ser
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Kevin Cardenas
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Hajin Joanne Kim
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Morgan Hickey
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Jiseon Jang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Jason Gladstone
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Aisha Bailey
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Jason Dinh
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Vy Nguyen
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Emma DeMarco
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Surbhi Srinivas
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Homan Kang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Satoshi Kashiwagi
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Kai Bao
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Atsushi Yamashita
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
| | - Hak Soo Choi
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02119, USA; (P.J.); (J.S.)
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4
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Dhamija P, Mehata AK, Setia A, Priya V, Malik AK, Bonlawar J, Verma N, Badgujar P, Randhave N, Muthu MS. Nanotheranostics: Molecular Diagnostics and Nanotherapeutic Evaluation by Photoacoustic/Ultrasound Imaging in Small Animals. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:6010-6034. [PMID: 37931040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00708] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Nanotheranostics is a rapidly developing field that integrates nanotechnology, diagnostics, and therapy to provide novel methods for imaging and treating wide categories of diseases. Targeted nanotheranostics offers a platform for the precise delivery of theranostic agents, and their therapeutic outcomes are monitored in real-time. Presently, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, ultrasound imaging, and photoacoustic imaging (PAI), etc. are noninvasive imaging techniques that are preclinically available for the imaging and tracking of therapeutic outcomes in small animals. Additionally, preclinical imaging is essential for drug development, phenotyping, and understanding disease stage progression and its associated mechanisms. Small animal ultrasound imaging is a rapidly developing imaging technique for theranostics applications due to its merits of being nonionizing, real-time, portable, and able to penetrate deep tissues. Recently, different types of ultrasound contrast agents have been explored, such as microbubbles, echogenic exosomes, gas-vesicles, and nanoparticles-based contrast agents. Moreover, an optical image obtained through photoacoustic imaging is a noninvasive imaging technique that creates ultrasonic waves when pulsed laser light is used to expose an object and creates a picture of the tissue's distribution of light energy absorption on the object. Contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging may be endogenous (hemoglobin, melanin, and DNA/RNA) or exogenous (dyes and nanomaterials-based contrast agents). The integration of nanotheranostics with photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging allows simultaneous imaging and treatment of diseases in small animals, which provides essential information about the drug response and the disease progression. In this review, we have covered various endogenous and exogenous contrast agents for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. Additionally, we have discussed various drug delivery systems integrated with contrast agents for theranostic application. Further, we have briefly discussed the current challenges associated with ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Dhamija
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Abhishesh Kumar Mehata
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Aseem Setia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vishnu Priya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ankit Kumar Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Jyoti Bonlawar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Nidhi Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Paresh Badgujar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Nandini Randhave
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Madaswamy S Muthu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
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5
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Sridharan B, Lim HG. Advances in photoacoustic imaging aided by nano contrast agents: special focus on role of lymphatic system imaging for cancer theranostics. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:437. [PMID: 37986071 PMCID: PMC10662568 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a successful clinical imaging platform for management of cancer and other health conditions that has seen significant progress in the past decade. However, clinical translation of PAI based methods are still under scrutiny as the imaging quality and clinical information derived from PA images are not on par with other imaging methods. Hence, to improve PAI, exogenous contrast agents, in the form of nanomaterials, are being used to achieve better image with less side effects, lower accumulation, and improved target specificity. Nanomedicine has become inevitable in cancer management, as it contributes at every stage from diagnosis to therapy, surgery, and even in the postoperative care and surveillance for recurrence. Nanocontrast agents for PAI have been developed and are being explored for early and improved cancer diagnosis. The systemic stability and target specificity of the nanomaterials to render its theranostic property depends on various influencing factors such as the administration route and physico-chemical responsiveness. The recent focus in PAI is on targeting the lymphatic system and nodes for cancer diagnosis, as they play a vital role in cancer progression and metastasis. This review aims to discuss the clinical advancements of PAI using nanoparticles as exogenous contrast agents for cancer theranostics with emphasis on PAI of lymphatic system for diagnosis, cancer progression, metastasis, PAI guided tumor resection, and finally PAI guided drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badrinathan Sridharan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Muñiz-García A, Pichardo AH, Littlewood J, Tasker S, Sharkey J, Wilm B, Peace H, O'Callaghan D, Green M, Taylor A, Murray P. Near infrared conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPN™) for tracking cells using fluorescence and optoacoustic imaging. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:5520-5528. [PMID: 37822909 PMCID: PMC10563848 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00546a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Tracking the biodistribution of cell therapies is crucial for understanding their safety and efficacy. Optical imaging techniques are particularly useful for tracking cells due to their clinical translatability and potential for intra-operative use to validate cell delivery. However, there is a lack of appropriate optical probes for cell tracking. The only FDA-approved material for clinical use is indocyanine green (ICG). ICG can be used for both fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging, but is prone to photodegradation, and at higher concentrations, undergoes quenching and can adversely affect cell health. We have developed novel near-infrared imaging probes comprising conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs™) that can be fine-tuned to absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths. To compare the performance of the CPNs™ with ICG for in vivo cell tracking, labelled mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were injected subcutaneously in mice and detected using fluorescence imaging (FI) and a form of photoacoustic imaging called multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). MSCs labelled with either ICG or CPN™ 770 could be detected with FI, but only CPN™ 770-labelled MSCs could be detected with MSOT. These results show that CPNs™ show great promise for tracking cells in vivo using optical imaging techniques, and for some applications, out-perform ICG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Muñiz-García
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Alejandra Hernandez Pichardo
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Pre-clinical Imaging, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - James Littlewood
- Centre for Pre-clinical Imaging, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- iThera Medical GmbH Munich Germany
| | - Suzannah Tasker
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | | | - Bettina Wilm
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Pre-clinical Imaging, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | | | | | | | - Arthur Taylor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Pre-clinical Imaging, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - Patricia Murray
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Pre-clinical Imaging, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
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7
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He XY, Zhou YR, Mu T, Liao YF, Jiang L, Qin Y, Cai JH. Magnetic resonance imaging focused on the ferritin heavy chain 1 reporter gene detects neuronal differentiation in stem cells. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1563-1569. [PMID: 36571363 PMCID: PMC10075097 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.358608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells offers a new strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. Thus, there is a need to identify a noninvasive and sensitive in vivo imaging approach for real-time monitoring of transplanted stem cells. Our previous study confirmed that magnetic resonance imaging, with a focus on the ferritin heavy chain 1 reporter gene, could track the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells that had been transduced with lentivirus carrying the ferritin heavy chain 1 reporter gene. However, we could not determine whether or when bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells had undergone neuronal differentiation based on changes in the magnetic resonance imaging signal. To solve this problem, we identified a neuron-specific enolase that can be differentially expressed before and after neuronal differentiation in stem cells. In this study, we successfully constructed a lentivirus carrying the neuron-specific enolase promoter and expressing the ferritin heavy chain 1 reporter gene; we used this lentivirus to transduce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cellular and animal studies showed that the neuron-specific enolase promoter effectively drove the expression of ferritin heavy chain 1 after neuronal differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; this led to intracellular accumulation of iron and corresponding changes in the magnetic resonance imaging signal. In summary, we established an innovative magnetic resonance imaging approach focused on the induction of reporter gene expression by a neuron-specific promoter. This imaging method can be used to noninvasively and sensitively detect neuronal differentiation in stem cells, which may be useful in stem cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ya He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi-Rui Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Tong Mu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yi-Fan Liao
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of the Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Hua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
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8
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Park B, Oh D, Kim J, Kim C. Functional photoacoustic imaging: from nano- and micro- to macro-scale. NANO CONVERGENCE 2023; 10:29. [PMID: 37335405 DOI: 10.1186/s40580-023-00377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Functional photoacoustic imaging is a promising biological imaging technique that offers such unique benefits as scalable resolution and imaging depth, as well as the ability to provide functional information. At nanoscale, photoacoustic imaging has provided super-resolution images of the surface light absorption characteristics of materials and of single organelles in cells. At the microscopic and macroscopic scales. photoacoustic imaging techniques have precisely measured and quantified various physiological parameters, such as oxygen saturation, vessel morphology, blood flow, and the metabolic rate of oxygen, in both human and animal subjects. This comprehensive review provides an overview of functional photoacoustic imaging across multiple scales, from nano to macro, and highlights recent advances in technology developments and applications. Finally, the review surveys the future prospects of functional photoacoustic imaging in the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byullee Park
- Departments of Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Oh
- Departments of Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeesu Kim
- Departments of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering and Optics and Mechatronics Engineering, College of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chulhong Kim
- Departments of Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Arangath A, Duffy N, Alexandrov S, James S, Neuhaus K, Murphy M, Leahy M. Nanosensitive optical coherence tomography for detecting structural changes in stem cells. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:1411-1427. [PMID: 37078060 PMCID: PMC10110307 DOI: 10.1364/boe.485082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that have been widely investigated for their potential to regenerate damaged and diseased tissues. Multiple pre-clinical studies and clinical trials have demonstrated a therapeutic response following treatment with MSCs for various pathologies, including cardiovascular, neurological and orthopaedic diseases. The ability to functionally track cells following administration in vivo is pivotal to further elucidating the mechanism of action and safety profile of these cells. Effective monitoring of MSCs and MSC-derived microvesicles requires an imaging modality capable of providing both quantitative and qualitative readouts. Nanosensitive optical coherence tomography (nsOCT) is a recently developed technique that detects nanoscale structural changes within samples. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time, the capability of nsOCT to image MSC pellets following labelling with different concentrations of dual plasmonic gold nanostars. We show that the mean spatial period of MSC pellets increases following the labelling with increasing concentrations of nanostars. Additionally, with the help of extra time points and a more comprehensive analysis, we further improved the understanding of the MSC pellet chondrogenesis model. Despite the limited penetration depth (similar to conventional OCT), the nsOCT is highly sensitive in detecting structural alterations at the nanoscale, which may provide crucial functional information about cell therapies and their modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Arangath
- Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Facility, Physics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Niamh Duffy
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sergey Alexandrov
- Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Facility, Physics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Soorya James
- Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Facility, Physics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kai Neuhaus
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Mary Murphy
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Martin Leahy
- Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Facility, Physics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Singh S, Giammanco G, Hu CH, Bush J, Cordova LS, Lawrence DJ, Moran JL, Chitnis PV, Veneziano R. Size-tunable ICG-based contrast agent platform for targeted near-infrared photoacoustic imaging. PHOTOACOUSTICS 2023; 29:100437. [PMID: 36570471 PMCID: PMC9772562 DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2022.100437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Near-infrared photoacoustic imaging (NIR-PAI) combines the advantages of optical and ultrasound imaging to provide anatomical and functional information of tissues with high resolution. Although NIR-PAI is promising, its widespread use is hindered by the limited availability of NIR contrast agents. J-aggregates (JA) made of indocyanine green dye (ICG) represents an attractive class of biocompatible contrast agents for PAI. Here, we present a facile synthesis method that combines ICG and ICG-azide dyes for producing contrast agents with tunable size down to 230 nm and direct functionalization with targeting moieties. The ICG-JA platform has a detectable PA signal in vitro that is two times stronger than whole blood and high photostability. The targeting ability of ICG-JA was measured in vitro using HeLa cells. The ICG-JA platform was then injected into mice and in vivo NIR-PAI showed enhanced visualization of liver and spleen for 90 min post-injection with a contrast-to-noise ratio of 2.42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrishti Singh
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Giovanni Giammanco
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Chih-Hsiang Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Joshua Bush
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey L. Moran
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Parag V. Chitnis
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Center for Adaptive Systems for Brain-body Interactions, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Remi Veneziano
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
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11
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Evaluation of different 89Zr-labeled synthons for direct labeling and tracking of white blood cells and stem cells in healthy athymic mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15646. [PMID: 36123386 PMCID: PMC9485227 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19953-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell based therapies are evolving as an effective new approach to treat various diseases. To understand the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of cell-based therapies, it is imperative to follow their biodistribution noninvasively. Positron-emission-tomography (PET)-based non-invasive imaging of cell trafficking offers such a potential. Herein, we evaluated and compared three different ready-to-use direct cell radiolabeling synthons, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Bn-NCS, [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-NCS, and [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-SA for PET imaging-based trafficking of white blood cells (WBCs) and stem cells (SCs) up to 7 days in athymic nude mice. We compared the degree of 89Zr complexation and percentage of cell radiolabeling efficiencies with each. All three synthons, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Bn-NCS, [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-NCS, and [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-SA, were successfully prepared, and used for radiolabeling of WBCs and SCs. The highest cell radiolabeling yield was found for [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Bn-NCS, followed by [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-NCS, and [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-SA. In terms of biodistribution, WBCs radiolabeled with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Bn-NCS or [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-NCS, were primarily accumulated in liver and spleen, whereas SCs radiolabeled with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Bn-NCS or [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-NCS were found in lung, liver and spleen. A high bone uptake was observed for both WBCs and SCs radiolabeled with [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-SA, suggesting in-vivo instability of [89Zr]Zr-Hy3ADA5-SA synthon. This study offers an appropriate selection of ready-to-use radiolabeling synthons for noninvasive trafficking of WBCs, SCs and other cell-based therapies.
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Han S, Lee D, Kim S, Kim HH, Jeong S, Kim J. Contrast Agents for Photoacoustic Imaging: A Review Focusing on the Wavelength Range. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080594. [PMID: 36004990 PMCID: PMC9406114 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging using endogenous chromophores as a contrast has been widely applied in biomedical studies owing to its functional imaging capability at the molecular level. Various exogenous contrast agents have also been investigated for use in contrast-enhanced imaging and functional analyses. This review focuses on contrast agents, particularly in the wavelength range, for use in photoacoustic imaging. The basic principles of photoacoustic imaging regarding light absorption and acoustic release are introduced, and the optical characteristics of tissues are summarized according to the wavelength region. Various types of contrast agents, including organic dyes, semiconducting polymeric nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and other inorganic nanoparticles, are explored in terms of their light absorption range in the near-infrared region. An overview of the contrast-enhancing capacity and other functional characteristics of each agent is provided to help researchers gain insights into the development of contrast agents in photoacoustic imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongyi Han
- Departments of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering and Optics & Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea;
| | - Dakyeon Lee
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
| | - Sungjee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
| | - Hyung-Hoi Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.-H.K.); (S.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Sanghwa Jeong
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.-H.K.); (S.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Jeesu Kim
- Departments of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering and Optics & Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.-H.K.); (S.J.); (J.K.)
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13
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Lin Y, Zhou HC, Chen N, Ren Y, Gao R, Li Q, Deng Y, Han X, Zhang X, Xiang AP, Guo B, Liu C, Ren J. Unveiling the improved targeting migration of mesenchymal stem cells with CXC chemokine receptor 3-modification using intravital NIR-II photoacoustic imaging. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:307. [PMID: 35764961 PMCID: PMC9238014 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01513-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Therapy with genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has clinical translation promise. Optimizing the targeting migratory ability of MSCs relies on accurate imaging of the distribution and extravasation kinetics of MSCs, and the corresponding imaging results could be used to predict therapeutic outcomes and guide the optimization of the treatment program. Among the different imaging modalities, second near-infrared (NIR-II) optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) has merits, including a fine resolution, a deep penetration, a high sensitivity, and a large signal-to-background ratio. It would be an ideal candidate for precise monitoring of MSCs, although it has not been tested for this purpose so far. Results Penetrating peptide-decorated conjugated polymer nanoparticles (TAT-CPNPs) with strong NIR-II absorbance were used to label chemokine-receptor genetically modified MSCs, which were subsequently evaluated under intravital NIR-II OR-PAM regarding their targeting migratory ability. Based on the upregulation of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 in the inflamed ears of contact hypersensitivity mice, MSCs with overexpression of corresponding receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (Cxcr3) were successfully generated (MSCCxcr3). TAT-CPNPs labeling enabled NIR-II photoacoustic imaging to discern MSCCxcr3 covered by 1.2 cm of chicken breast tissue. Longitudinal OR-PAM imaging revealed enhanced inflammation-targeting migration of MSCCxcr3 over time attributed to Cxcr3 gene modification, which was further validated by histological analysis. Conclusions TAT-CPNPs-assisted NIR-II PA imaging is promising for monitoring distribution and extravasation kinetics of MSCs, which would greatly facilitate optimizing MSC-based therapy. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01513-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejun Lin
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Novel Optoacoustic/Ultrasonic Imaging, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Hui-Chao Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Novel Optoacoustic/Ultrasonic Imaging, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Ningbo Chen
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yaguang Ren
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Rongkang Gao
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qiaojia Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Novel Optoacoustic/Ultrasonic Imaging, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yiwen Deng
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xuejiao Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Andy Peng Xiang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Bing Guo
- School of Science and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Chengbo Liu
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Novel Optoacoustic/Ultrasonic Imaging, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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14
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Nanomaterials as Ultrasound Theragnostic Tools for Heart Disease Treatment/Diagnosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031683. [PMID: 35163604 PMCID: PMC8835969 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of different nanomaterials (NMs) such as microbubbles (MBs), nanobubbles (NBs), nanodroplets (NDs), and silica hollow meso-structures have been tested as ultrasound contrast agents for the detection of heart diseases. The inner part of these NMs is made gaseous to yield an ultrasound contrast, which arises from the difference in acoustic impedance between the interior and exterior of such a structure. Furthermore, to specifically achieve a contrast in the diseased heart region (DHR), NMs can be designed to target this region in essentially three different ways (i.e., passively when NMs are small enough to diffuse through the holes of the vessels supplying the DHR, actively by being associated with a ligand that recognizes a receptor of the DHR, or magnetically by applying a magnetic field orientated in the direction of the DHR on a NM responding to such stimulus). The localization and resolution of ultrasound imaging can be further improved by applying ultrasounds in the DHR, by increasing the ultrasound frequency, or by using harmonic, sub-harmonic, or super-resolution imaging. Local imaging can be achieved with other non-gaseous NMs of metallic composition (i.e., essentially made of Au) by using photoacoustic imaging, thus widening the range of NMs usable for cardiac applications. These contrast agents may also have a therapeutic efficacy by carrying/activating/releasing a heart disease drug, by triggering ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction or enhanced cavitation in the DHR, for example, resulting in thrombolysis or helping to prevent heart transplant rejection.
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