Effect of albumin and dextrose concentration on ultrasound and microbubble mediated gene transfection in vivo

Browning, R.J., Mulvana, H. , Tang, M.-X., Hajnal, J.V., Wells, D.J. and Eckersley, R.J. (2012) Effect of albumin and dextrose concentration on ultrasound and microbubble mediated gene transfection in vivo. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 38(6), pp. 1067-1077. (doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2012.02.020)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Ultrasound and microbubble mediated gene transfection has great potential for site-selective, safe gene delivery. Albumin-based microbubbles have shown the greatest transfection efficiency but have not been optimised specifically for this purpose. Additionally, few studies have highlighted desirable properties for transfection specific microbubbles. In this article, microbubbles were made with 2% or 5% (w/v) albumin and 20% or 40% (w/v) dextrose solutions, yielding four distinct bubble types. These were acoustically characterised and their efficiency in transfecting a luciferase plasmid (pGL4.13) into female, CD1 mice myocardia was measured. For either albumin concentration, increasing the dextrose concentration increased scattering, attenuation and resistance to ultrasound, resulting in significantly increased transfection. A significant interaction was noted between albumin and dextrose; 2% albumin bubbles made with 20% dextrose showed the least transfection but the most transfection with 40% dextrose. This trend was seen for both nonlinear scattering and attenuation behaviour but not for resistance to ultrasound or total scatter. We have determined that the attenuation behaviour is an important microbubble characteristic for effective gene transfection using ultrasound. Microbubble behaviour can also be simply controlled by altering the initial ingredients used during manufacture.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mulvana, Dr Helen
Authors: Browning, R.J., Mulvana, H., Tang, M.-X., Hajnal, J.V., Wells, D.J., and Eckersley, R.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0301-5629
ISSN (Online):1879-291X

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record