Abstract
ABSTRACTNon-viral vectors, as gene carriers, have advantages of biological safety and cost-efficiency over viral vectors. However, low transfection efficiency hampers their further clinical application. In this study, we developed a novel chitosan-conjugated lipid microbubble (CMB), which has good biocompatibility and high gene loading capacity. By ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology, plasmid DNA could be efficiently delivered into HEK293T cells. The parameters for UTMD including acoustic intensity (AI), duty cycle (DC), exposure time (ET) and microbubble concentration were systematically optimised. Under the optimal conditions (AI, 1.0 W/cm2; DC, 10%; ET, 60 s; 10% CMBs), the gene transfection efficiency was significantly enhanced, without obvious impairment of the cell viability (over 80%). This study described a novel gene transfection strategy that combines CMBs with ultrasound to facilitate safe and efficient gene transfection in vitro with the potential for in vivo targeted gene delivery.
Highlights
In recent years, ultrasound is increasingly employed as an efficient, simple and safe gene delivery tool, showing great potential for targeted gene therapy for a variety of diseases [1]
We developed a novel chitosan-conjugated lipid microbubble (CMB), which has good biocompatibility and high gene loading capacity
By ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology, plasmid DNA could be efficiently delivered into HEK293T cells
Summary
Ultrasound is increasingly employed as an efficient, simple and safe gene delivery tool, showing great potential for targeted gene therapy for a variety of diseases [1]. A lot of work has been done to promote the gene transfection efficiency by the combination of microbubbles and ultrasound [7,8,9]. Ultrasound parameters including acoustic intensity (AI), duty cycle (DC) and exposure time (ET) play an important role in gene transfection. These parameters should be tuned deliberately to realise the highest transfection efficiency without obvious mechanical damage to the cells [12,13]. The transfection efficiency of different groups (chitosan, US+MB and US+CMB) was evaluated by fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
