Physical parameters affecting ultrasound/microbubble-mediated gene delivery efficiency in vitro.
Ultrasound (US)/microbubble-mediated gene delivery is a technology with many potential advantages suited to clinical application. Previous studies have demonstrated transfection but many are unsatisfactory in respect to the exposure apparatus, lack of definition of the US field or the limitations on parameters that can be explored using clinical diagnostic US machines. We investigated individual exposure parameters using a system minimising experimental artefacts and allowing control of many parameters of the US field. Using a 1-MHz transducer we systematically varied US parameters, the duration of exposure and the microbubble and DNA concentrations to optimise gene delivery. Delivery was achieved, using lipid microbubbles (SonoVue) and clinically acceptable US exposures, to adherent cells at efficiencies of approximately 4%. The acoustic pressure amplitude (0.25 MPa peak-negative), pulse repetition frequency (1-kHz) and duration of exposure (10 s) were important in optimising gene delivery with minimal impact on cell viability. These findings support the hypothesis that varying the physical parameters of US-mediated gene delivery has an affect on both efficiency and cell viability. These data are the first in terms of their thorough exploration of the US parameter space and will be the basis for more-informed approaches to developing clinical applications of this technology.
Rahim
Ahad
A
The Institute of Cancer Research, Gene Therapy Group, Section of Cell and Molecular Biology, London, UK. ahad.rahim@icr.ac.uk
Taylor
Sarah L
SL
Bush
Nigel L
NL
ter Haar
Gail R
GR
Bamber
Jeffrey C
JC
Porter
Colin D
CD
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002470:Cell Survival; D003287:Contrast Media; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D015870:Gene Expression; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007763:Lac Operon; D045423:Microbubbles; D014162:Transfection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004247:DNA