CMR 2007: 5.02: Effect of ultrasound imaging on cells labeled with microbubbles

✍ Scribed by Y. Kono; D. Mesmer; D. Simberg; K. Pestonjamasp; R. Mattrey

• Book ID: 102103623
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 50 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1555-4309
• DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.180

✦ Synopsis

Rationale and Objectives: Ultrasound is the most sensitive modality to its contrast media. Reports have shown that microbubbles remain intact following phagocytosis by neutrophils and Kupffer cells. While it is likely that microbubbles cause contrast enhancement of the liver when phagocytosed by Kupffer, the impact of microbubbles on imaging other phagocytic cells and cell functions are of interest. The motivation for this study is that, because ultrasound interacts with microbubbles, it may be possible to induce a desired cellular functional effect or cause geneexpression of labeled cells once they home to a desired location. Methods: Microbubbles were prepared by sonication of surfactants, water-phase constituents and perfluoropentane vapor. The surface chemistry was manipulated to stimulate cellular uptake in-vitro using macrophages or dendritic cells in culture. The intracellular location of microbubbles was confirmed with real-time white light and fluorescent microscopy as well as confocal microscopy. The labeled cells were then suspended in an imaging phantom filled with tissuemimicking fluid and imaged with ultrasound at low and high mechanical index. Cell survival, tested with trypan blue exclusion, and cell function were assessed following ultrasound imaging. Results and Conclusion: Cell uptake of microbubbles was dependent upon the microbubble surface properties. Cell visualization in-vitro suggests extremely high sensitivity to 20 cells/ml. Viability and functional studies performed after ultrasound imaging suggests that cells are not negatively affected.