The exact phenomenon and early signaling events of the endothelial cytoskeleton response to ultrasound

Abstract

Low-intensity ultrasound can be applied for medical imaging and disease treatment in clinical and experimental studies. However, the biological effects of ultrasound on blood vessels, especially endothelial cells (ECs) are still unclear. In this study, the laws of endothelial cytoskeleton changes under ultrasound induction are investigated. ECs are exposed to low-intensity ultrasound, and the cytoskeletal morphology is analyzed by a filamentous (F)-actin staining technique. We further analyze the characteristics of cytoskeleton rupture using indirect immunofluorescence techniques and cytoskeleton electron microscopy. Finally, the biological effects induced by ultrasound at the tissue level are investigated in an ex vivo blood-vessel model. Significant changes in cytoskeletal structure are detected when induced by ultrasound, including cytoskeletal rupture, blebbing and apoptosis. Moreover, a temporal threshold of ECs injury under different ultrasonic intensities is established. This study illustrates a pattern of significant changes in the cytoskeletal structure of ECs induced by ultrasound. The finding serves as a guide for selecting a safe threshold for clinical ultrasound applications.