title: The phagocytosis of gas-filled microbubbles by human and murine antigen-presenting cells.
abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the potential of gas-filled microbubbles (MB) to be internalized by antigen-presenting cells (APC). Fluorescently labeled MB were prepared, thus permitting to track binding to, and internalization in, APC. Both human and mouse cells, including monocytes and dendritic cells (DC), prove capable to phagocyte MB in vitro. Observation by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that interaction between MB and target cells resulted in a rapid internalization in cellular compartments and to a lesser extent in the cytoplasm. Capture of MB by APC resulted in phagolysosomal targeting as verified by double staining with anti-lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 monoclonal antibody and decrease of internalization by phagocytosis inhibitors. Fluorescent MB injected subcutaneously (s.c.) in mice were found to be associated with CD11c(+)DC in lymph nodes draining the injection sites 24 h after administration. Altogether, our study demonstrates that MB can successfully target APC both in vitro and in vivo, and thus may serve as a potent Ag delivery system without requirement for ultrasound-based sonoporation. This adds to the potential of applications of MB already extensively used for diagnostic imaging in humans.
authors: R&D Laboratory, Immunology and Allergy, University State Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Bioley
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Bussat
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Lassus
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Schneider
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Terrettaz
authors: Blaise
authors: B
authors: Corthésy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D045423:Microbubbles; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases