Sonoselective transfection of cerebral vasculature without blood-brain barrier disruption
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a targeted and noninvasive technique that can be used to activate gas-filled microbubbles (MBs) to oscillate within the bloodstream. This technique has been used previously to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to facilitate the delivery of therapeutics to the surrounding brain tissue. However, disruption of the BBB may be contraindicated in certain disease contexts. Here, we utilize low-pressure FUS to oscillate the MBs just enough to transfect endothelial cells, without opening the BBB. The low-pressure FUS regimen results in enhanced gene delivery to endothelial cells, with none of the inflammatory or immune pathway up-regulation observed at higher FUS pressures.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- March 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1914595117
- Bibcode:
- 2020PNAS..117.5644G