Transient transfection of angiopoietin-1 into vascular endothelial cells by ultrasound combined with microbubbles

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of ultrasound and microbubbles on transient transfection of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1) into vascular endothelial CRL1730 cells and the effects of cell migration. Methods CRL1730 cells were divided into four groups:a control group (without any treatment), an Ang-1 group (with Ang-1 added only), a microbubble group (with only microbubbles added) and an ultrasound with microbubbles group (Ang-1, microbubbles and 1 MHz ultrasound irradiation for 30 s). All were cultivated for 24 h. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA and protein were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The cells' migration ability was detected using the Transwell method. Results There was no difference in the expression of Ang-1 mRNA or protein among the control group, the Ang-1 group and the microbubbles group, but the expression of Ang-1 mRNA and protein was increased significantly in the ultrasound plus microbubbles group. Cell migration ability was also enhanced significantly in the ultrasound and microbubbles group compared with the other groups. Conclusion A combination of ultrasound and microbubbles might successfully transfect Ang-1 genes into vascular endothelial cells, and the migration ability of the transfected cells is also enhanced. Key words: Microbubbles; Ultrasound; Angiopoietin-1; Migration