Abstract 12472: Development of an in vitro System to Study Mechanisms of Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Cavitation-Mediated Blood Brain Barrier Opening

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasound-targeted microbubble cavitation ( UTMC ) is being explored as a method to transiently open the blood brain barrier ( BBB ). While UTMC-mediated BBB opening is a promising avenue for increasing drug delivery to the central nervous system, its underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We sought to develop an in vitro system simulating cerebral endothelial barrier function, to facilitate studies aimed at exploring mechanisms of UTMC-mediated BBB opening. Methods: We developed a transwell model with murine brain microvasculature endothelial cells (bEnd.3) and rat C6 glioma cells on opposite sides of a support membrance. Three concentrations of lipid microbubbles ( MB ) were added before applying pulsed ultrasound (1 MHz, 10 μs pulse duration, 10 ms pulse interval) at 3 peak negative pressures ( PNP ) for 20 s. Endothelial barrier function was assessed using transendothelial electrical resistance ( TEER ) and permeability using 10 kDa Texas Red dextran. Cells were stained with Hoechst (nucleus), CellMask Deep Red (cell coverage), calcein-AM (viability), and propidium iodide ( PI ; sonoporation) Differences between experimental conditions were compared using unpaired 2-tailed t-test. Significance was defined as p <0.05. Results: At a given MB:cell ratio, higher PNPs increased the percent of viably sonoporated cells ( Fig 1A ), but caused increasing cell loss from the transwell (decrease in % area coverage) at PNP greater than 250kPa and MB:cell ratio higher than 3:1 ( Fig 1B ). Therefore, 250kPa ultrasound and 3:1 MB ratio were used in the permeability studies: BBB permeability increased by 15 min after UTMC as measured by TEER ( Fig 1C ) and dextran flux ( Fig 1D ), but recovered 1 hour later. Conclusions: We developed a co-culture transwell model of the BBB to simulate UTMC-induced reversible endothelial barrier hyperpermeability. This model will uniquely allow systematic investigation of mechanisms of UTMC-mediated BBB opening.