title: Improving ovarian cancer imaging with LHRH-NBs: an experimental study.
abstract: Our previous study used freeze-drying and biotin-avidin binding methods and obtained nontargeted nanobubbles (N-NBs) and ovarian cancer-targeting nanobubbles (LHRH-NBs, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone nanobubbles). Our study also identified the physical and chemical properties of these two contrast agents, and validated the targeting ability and underlying mechanisms of LHRH-NBs in vitro. The present study investigated the imaging of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs in nude mice and their binding with tissues.
  
  
  
  The nude mice models of xenografts were divided into three groups, N-NB, LHRH-NB, and SonoVue. These contrast agents were injected via the caudal vein to observe the imaging of ovarian cancer. Fluorescence microscope was used to observe the penetration of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs through the vascular endothelial gaps. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the penetration of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs through vascular endothelial gaps and binding to the tumor cells.
  
  
  
  The imaging intensity and duration were not significantly different between N-NBs and LHRH-NBs. The imaging intensity in the N-NB and LHRH-NB groups was not significantly different compared with the SonoVue group; however, the imaging duration in the N-NB and LHRH-NB groups was significantly longer than in the SonoVue group (P < 0.001). Both N-NBs and LHRH-NBs penetrated through the vascular endothelial gaps. After penetrating through the vascular endothelial gapes, LHRH-NBs could target and bind to the tumor cells.
  
  
  
  N-NBs and LHRH-NBs are of good imaging effectiveness and relatively long imaging duration. LHRH-NB is a potent contrast agent for imaging ovarian cancer, while achieving targeted delivery of drugs to the site of ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangshu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shenzhen Baoan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shenzhen, 518133, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lingping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shenzhen Baoan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shenzhen, 518133, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. zhuyf1027@163.com.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China. zhuyf1027@163.com.
authors.forename: Yuanfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jinyi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shanyu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D045423:Microbubbles; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010316:Particle Size; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
keywords: In vivo imaging; Nanoliposomes; Ovarian cancer; Ultrasound contrast agent