Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery: influence of contrast agent on transfection.
MAT B III cells were insonified at ultrasound frequencies of 1.15 and 2.25 MHz in the presence of different ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and a plasmid encoding for the green fluorescent protein. The transfection efficiency was assessed by flow cytometry, while contrast agent destruction by ultrasound was evaluated using optical and scanning electronic microscopies. It was found that the gas and shell properties of the UCA have an important influence on cell transfection. A good correlation was observed between bubble destruction and transfection rate, and it was demonstrated, for the first time, that hard-shelled contrast agents (gas microcapsules) are promising candidates for ultrasound-mediated gene delivery.
Mehier-Humbert
Sophie
S
University of Geneva, Department of Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, 30 quai Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Yan
Feng
F
Frinking
Peter
P
Schneider
Michel
M
Guy
Richard H
RH
Bettinger
Thierry
T
D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D045423:Microbubbles; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*; D014465:Ultrasonics
D002214:Capsules; D003287:Contrast Media; D005740:Gases; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins