|
1
|
Vlatakis S, Zhang W, Thomas S, Cressey P, Moldovan AC, Metzger H, Prentice P, Cochran S, Thanou M. Effect of Phase-Change Nanodroplets and Ultrasound on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability In Vitro. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:51. [PMID: 38258062 PMCID: PMC10818572 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Phase-change nanodroplets (PCND;NDs) are emulsions with a perfluorocarbon (PFC) core that undergo acoustic vaporisation as a response to ultrasound (US). Nanodroplets change to microbubbles and cavitate while under the effect of US. This cavitation can apply forces on cell connections in biological barrier membranes, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and trigger a transient and reversible increased permeability to molecules and matter. This study aims to present the preparation of lipid-based NDs and investigate their effects on the brain endothelial cell barrier in vitro. The NDs were prepared using the thin-film hydration method, followed by the PFC addition. They were characterised for size, cavitation (using a high-speed camera), and PFC encapsulation (using FTIR). The bEnd.3 (mouse brain endothelial) cells were seeded onto transwell inserts. Fluorescein with NDs and/or microbubbles were applied on the bEND3 cells and the effect of US on fluorescein permeability was measured. The Live/Dead assay was used to assess the BBB integrity after the treatments. Size and PFC content analysis indicated that the NDs were stable while stored. High-speed camera imaging confirmed that the NDs cavitate after US exposure of 0.12 MPa. The BBB cell model experiments revealed a 4-fold increase in cell membrane permeation after the combined application of US and NDs. The Live/Dead assay results indicated damage to the BBB membrane integrity, but this damage was less when compared to the one caused by microbubbles. This in vitro study shows that nanodroplets have the potential to cause BBB opening in a similar manner to microbubbles. Both cavitation agents caused damage on the endothelial cells. It appears that NDs cause less cell damage compared to microbubbles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Vlatakis
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; (S.V.); (W.Z.); (S.T.); (P.C.)
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; (S.V.); (W.Z.); (S.T.); (P.C.)
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; (S.V.); (W.Z.); (S.T.); (P.C.)
| | - Paul Cressey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; (S.V.); (W.Z.); (S.T.); (P.C.)
| | - Alexandru Corneliu Moldovan
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (A.C.M.); (H.M.); (P.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Hilde Metzger
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (A.C.M.); (H.M.); (P.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Paul Prentice
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (A.C.M.); (H.M.); (P.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Sandy Cochran
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (A.C.M.); (H.M.); (P.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Maya Thanou
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; (S.V.); (W.Z.); (S.T.); (P.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Lyons B, Balkaran JPR, Dunn-Lawless D, Lucian V, Keller SB, O’Reilly CS, Hu L, Rubasingham J, Nair M, Carlisle R, Stride E, Gray M, Coussios C. Sonosensitive Cavitation Nuclei-A Customisable Platform Technology for Enhanced Therapeutic Delivery. Molecules 2023; 28:7733. [PMID: 38067464 PMCID: PMC10708135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound-mediated cavitation shows great promise for improving targeted drug delivery across a range of clinical applications. Cavitation nuclei-sound-sensitive constructs that enhance cavitation activity at lower pressures-have become a powerful adjuvant to ultrasound-based treatments, and more recently emerged as a drug delivery vehicle in their own right. The unique combination of physical, biological, and chemical effects that occur around these structures, as well as their varied compositions and morphologies, make cavitation nuclei an attractive platform for creating delivery systems tuned to particular therapeutics. In this review, we describe the structure and function of cavitation nuclei, approaches to their functionalization and customization, various clinical applications, progress toward real-world translation, and future directions for the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lyons
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Joel P. R. Balkaran
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Darcy Dunn-Lawless
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Veronica Lucian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Sara B. Keller
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Colm S. O’Reilly
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK;
| | - Luna Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Jeffrey Rubasingham
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Malavika Nair
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Robert Carlisle
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Michael Gray
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Constantin Coussios
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK; (J.P.R.B.); (D.D.-L.); (V.L.); (S.B.K.); (L.H.); (J.R.); (M.N.); (R.C.); (E.S.); (M.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Papadopoulou V, Sidders AE, Lu KY, Velez AZ, Durham PG, Bui DT, Angeles-Solano M, Dayton PA, Rowe SE. Overcoming biological barriers to improve treatment of a Staphylococcus aureus wound infection. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:513-526.e5. [PMID: 37148883 PMCID: PMC10198964 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wounds frequently become infected with bacterial biofilms which respond poorly to antibiotic therapy. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are ineffective at treating deep-seated wound infections due to poor drug penetration, poor drug uptake into persister cells, and widespread antibiotic resistance. In this study, we combat the two major barriers to successful aminoglycoside treatment against a biofilm-infected wound: limited antibiotic uptake and limited biofilm penetration. To combat the limited antibiotic uptake, we employ palmitoleic acid, a host-produced monounsaturated fatty acid that perturbs the membrane of gram-positive pathogens and induces gentamicin uptake. This novel drug combination overcomes gentamicin tolerance and resistance in multiple gram-positive wound pathogens. To combat biofilm penetration, we examined the ability of sonobactericide, a non-invasive ultrasound-mediated-drug delivery technology to improve antibiotic efficacy using an in vivo biofilm model. This dual approach dramatically improved antibiotic efficacy against a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) wound infection in diabetic mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Papadopoulou
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Ashelyn E Sidders
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kuan-Yi Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Amanda Z Velez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Phillip G Durham
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Duyen T Bui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michelle Angeles-Solano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sarah E Rowe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
|
4
|
Han J, Zhang T, Zhou Z, Zhang H. Development of a novel ultrasound- and biocrosslinking-enhanced immobilization strategy with application to food enzymes. Food Chem 2023; 417:135810. [PMID: 36917903 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasing demand for greener food production makes biocatalysts more desirable than traditional production approaches. One limiting factor for biocatalyst efficiency is the immobilization strategy. In this work, a novel immobilization method was developed with the tyrosine-tag crosslinking mechanism. The immobilization efficiency was further enhanced with ultrasound treatment. Such a strategy was proven to be efficient with food enzyme lipase, d-amino acid oxidase and glucose dehydrogenase when they were immobilized on macroporous resins, amino resins, epoxy resins, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. For lipase, glucose dehydrogenase and d-amino acid oxidase, the immobilization yield on macroporous resins increased by 20.4%, 21.1% and 24.1%, respectively. In addition, the immobilized enzymes had enhanced reusability, with a high degree of activity (more than 85%) detected after six cycles. Furthermore, the enzyme electrochemical sensors constructed by enzyme crosslinking have higher sensitivity, with peak currents 4-8 times those of sensors with uncrosslinked enzymes. The enzyme immobilization strategy developed in this study paves the way for better application of biocatalysts in the food industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Han
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhuoyue Zhou
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Houjin Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Wuhan 430074, China.
| |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Ünal S, Doğan O, Aktaş Y. Orally administered docetaxel-loaded chitosan-decorated cationic PLGA nanoparticles for intestinal tumors: formulation, comprehensive in vitro characterization, and release kinetics. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 13:1393-1407. [PMID: 36483636 PMCID: PMC9704015 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.13.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal cancers are the third most lethal cancers globally, beginning as polyps in the intestine and spreading with a severe metastatic tendency. Chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of intestinal tumors are usually formulated for parenteral administration due to poor solubility and bioavailability problems. Pharmaceutically, clinical failure due to a drug's wide biodistribution and non-selective toxicity is one of the major challenges of chemotherapy. In addition, parenteral drug administration in chronic diseases that require long-term drug use, such as intestinal tumors, is challenging in terms of patient compliance and poses a burden in terms of health economy. Especially in the field of chemotherapy research, oral chemotherapy is a subject that has been intensively researched in recent years, and developments in this field will provide serious breakthroughs both scientifically and socially. Development of orally applicable nanodrug formulations that can act against diseases seen in the distant region of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), such as intestinal tumor, brings with it a series of difficulties depending on the drug and/or GIT physiology. The aim of this study is to develop an oral nanoparticle drug delivery system loaded with docetaxel (DCX) as an anticancer drug, using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as nanoparticle material, and modified with chitosan (CS) to gain mucoadhesive properties. In this context, an innovative nanoparticle formulation that can protect orally administered DCX from GIT conditions and deliver the drug to the intestinal tumoral region by accumulating in mucus has been designed. For this purpose, DCX-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) and CS/DCX-PLGA NPs were prepared, and their in vitro characteristics were elucidated. Nanoparticles around 250-300 nm were obtained. DCX-PLGA NPs had positive surface charge with CS coating. The formulations have the potential to deliver the encapsulated drug to the bowel according to the in vitro release studies in three different simulated GIT fluids for approximately 72 h. Mucin interaction and penetration into the artificial mucus layer were also investigated in detail, and the mucoadhesive and mucus-penetration characteristics of the formulations were examined. Furthermore, in vitro release kinetic studies of the NPs were elucidated. DCX-PLGA NPs were found to be compatible with the Weibull model, and CS/DCX-PLGA NPs were found to be compatible with the Peppas-Sahlin model. Within the scope of in vitro cytotoxicity studies, the drug-loaded NPs showed significantly higher cytotoxicity than a DCX solution on the HT-29 colon cell line, and CS/DCX-PLGA showed the highest cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). According to the permeability studies on the Caco-2 cell line, the CS/DCX-PLGA formulation increased permeability by 383% compared to free DCX (p < 0.05). In the light of all results, CS/DCX-PLGA NPs can offer a promising and innovative approach as an oral anticancer drug-loaded nanoformulation for intestinal tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Ünal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Erciyes University Faculty of Pharmacy, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Osman Doğan
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Life and Natural Science, Abdullah Gül University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Yeşim Aktaş
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Erciyes University Faculty of Pharmacy, Kayseri, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
The Effect of Microbubble-Assisted Ultrasound on Molecular Permeability across Cell Barriers. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030494. [PMID: 35335871 PMCID: PMC8949944 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB) has been applied to enhance drug permeability across tissue barriers. Most studies focused on only one physicochemical aspect (i.e., molecular weight of the delivered molecule). Using an in vitro epithelial (MDCK II) cell barrier, we examined the effects of USMB on the permeability of five molecules varying in molecular weight (182 Da to 20 kDa) and hydrophilicity (LogD at pH 7.4 from 1.5 to highly hydrophilic). Treatment of cells with USMB at increasing ultrasound pressures did not have a significant effect on the permeability of small molecules (molecular weight 259 to 376 Da), despite their differences in hydrophilicity (LogD at pH 7.4 from −3.2 to 1.5). The largest molecules (molecular weight 4 and 20 kDa) showed the highest increase in the epithelial permeability (3-7-fold). Simultaneously, USMB enhanced intracellular accumulation of the same molecules. In the case of the clinically relevant anti- C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4) nanobody (molecular weight 15 kDa), USMB enhanced paracellular permeability by two-fold and increased binding to retinoblastoma cells by five-fold. Consequently, USMB is a potential tool to improve the efficacy and safety of the delivery of drugs to organs protected by tissue barriers, such as the eye and the brain.
Collapse
|
|
7
|
Marcel SS, Quimby AL, Noel MP, Jaimes OC, Mehrab-Mohseni M, Ashur SA, Velasco B, Tsuruta JK, Kasoji SK, Santos CM, Dayton PA, Parker JS, Davis IJ, Pattenden SG. Genome-wide cancer-specific chromatin accessibility patterns derived from archival processed xenograft tumors. Genome Res 2021; 31:2327-2339. [PMID: 34815311 PMCID: PMC8647830 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275219.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility states that influence gene expression and other nuclear processes can be altered in disease. The constellation of transcription factors and chromatin regulatory complexes in cells results in characteristic patterns of chromatin accessibility. The study of these patterns in tissues has been limited because existing chromatin accessibility assays are ineffective for archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. We have developed a method to efficiently extract intact chromatin from archival tissue via enhanced cavitation with a nanodroplet reagent consisting of a lipid shell with a liquid perfluorocarbon core. Inclusion of nanodroplets during the extraction of chromatin from FFPE tissues enhances the recovery of intact accessible and nucleosome-bound chromatin. We show that the addition of nanodroplets to the chromatin accessibility assay formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements (FAIRE), does not affect the accessible chromatin signal. Applying the technique to FFPE human tumor xenografts, we identified tumor-relevant regions of accessible chromatin shared with those identified in primary tumors. Further, we deconvoluted non-tumor signal to identify cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. Incorporation of this method of enhanced cavitation into FAIRE offers the potential for extending chromatin accessibility to clinical diagnosis and personalized medicine, while also enabling the exploration of gene regulatory mechanisms in archival samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelsa S Marcel
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Austin L Quimby
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Melodie P Noel
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Oscar C Jaimes
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Marjan Mehrab-Mohseni
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Suud A Ashur
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Brian Velasco
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - James K Tsuruta
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Sandeep K Kasoji
- Triangle Biotechnology, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517, USA
| | - Charlene M Santos
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Joel S Parker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Ian J Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Samantha G Pattenden
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
8
|
Durham PG, Dayton PA. Applications of sub-micron low-boiling point phase change contrast agents for ultrasound imaging and therapy. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
|
9
|
Byrne J, Huang HW, McRae JC, Babaee S, Soltani A, Becker SL, Traverso G. Devices for drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract: A review of systems physically interacting with the mucosa for enhanced delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113926. [PMID: 34403749 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of macromolecules via the gastrointestinal (GI) tract remains a significant challenge. A variety of technologies using physical modes of drug delivery have been developed and investigated to overcome the epithelial cell layer of the GI tract for local and systemic delivery. These technologies include direct injection, jetting, ultrasound, and iontophoresis, which have been largely adapted from transdermal drug delivery. Direct injection of agents using needles through endoscopy has been used clinically for over a century. Jetting, a needle-less method of drug delivery where a high-speed stream of fluid medication penetrates tissue, has been evaluated pre-clinically for delivery of agents into the buccal mucosa. Ultrasound has been shown to be beneficial in enhancing delivery of macromolecules, including nucleic acids, in pre-clinical animal models. The application of an electric field gradient to drive drugs into tissues through the technique of iontophoresis has been shown to deliver highly toxic chemotherapies into GI tissues. Here in, we provide an in-depth overview of these physical modes of drug delivery in the GI tract and their clinical and preclinical uses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Byrne
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Hen-Wei Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - James C McRae
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sahab Babaee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amin Soltani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Sarah L Becker
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
|
10
|
Harnessing ultrasound-stimulated phase change contrast agents to improve antibiotic efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Biofilm 2021; 3:100049. [PMID: 34124645 PMCID: PMC8173270 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms, often associated with chronic infections, respond poorly to antibiotic therapy and frequently require surgical intervention. Biofilms harbor persister cells, metabolically indolent cells, which are tolerant to most conventional antibiotics. In addition, the biofilm matrix can act as a physical barrier, impeding diffusion of antibiotics. Novel therapeutic approaches frequently improve biofilm killing, but usually fail to achieve eradication. Failure to eradicate the biofilm leads to chronic and relapsing infection, is associated with major financial healthcare costs and significant morbidity and mortality. We address this problem with a two-pronged strategy using 1) antibiotics that target persister cells and 2) ultrasound-stimulated phase-change contrast agents (US-PCCA), which improve antibiotic penetration. We previously demonstrated that rhamnolipids, produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, could induce aminoglycoside uptake in gram-positive organisms, leading to persister cell death. We have also shown that US-PCCA can transiently disrupt biological barriers to improve penetration of therapeutic macromolecules. We hypothesized that combining antibiotics which target persister cells with US-PCCA to improve drug penetration could improve treatment of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) biofilms. Aminoglycosides alone or in combination with US-PCCA displayed limited efficacy against MRSA biofilms. In contrast, the anti-persister combination of rhamnolipids and aminoglycosides combined with US-PCCA dramatically improved biofilm killing. This novel treatment strategy has the potential for rapid clinical translation as the PCCA formulation is a variant of FDA-approved ultrasound contrast agents that are already in clinical practice and the low-pressure ultrasound settings used in our study can be achieved with existing ultrasound hardware at pressures below the FDA set limits for diagnostic imaging.
Collapse
|
|
11
|
Rowe SE, Beam JE, Conlon BP. Recalcitrant Staphylococcus aureus Infections: Obstacles and Solutions. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e00694-20. [PMID: 33526569 PMCID: PMC8090968 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00694-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic treatment failure of Staphylococcus aureus infections is very common. In addition to genetically encoded mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, numerous additional factors limit the efficacy of antibiotics in vivo Identifying and removing the barriers to antibiotic efficacy are of major importance, as even if new antibiotics become available, they will likely face the same barriers to efficacy as their predecessors. One major obstacle to antibiotic efficacy is the proficiency of S. aureus to enter a physiological state that is incompatible with antibiotic killing. Multiple pathways leading to antibiotic tolerance and the formation of tolerant subpopulations called persister cells have been described for S. aureus Additionally, S. aureus is a versatile pathogen that can infect numerous tissues and invade a variety of cell types, of which some are poorly penetrable to antibiotics. It is therefore unlikely that there will be a single solution to the problem of recalcitrant S. aureus infection. Instead, specific approaches may be required for targeting tolerant cells within different niches, be it through direct targeting of persister cells, sensitization of persisters to conventional antibiotics, improved penetration of antibiotics to particular niches, or any combination thereof. Here, we examine two well-described reservoirs of antibiotic-tolerant S. aureus, the biofilm and the macrophage, the barriers these environments present to antibiotic efficacy, and potential solutions to the problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Rowe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jenna E Beam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brian P Conlon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
12
|
Ultrasound mediated delivery of quantum dots from a proof of concept capsule endoscope to the gastrointestinal wall. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2584. [PMID: 33510366 PMCID: PMC7844260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82240-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologic drugs, defined as therapeutic agents produced from or containing components of a living organism, are of growing importance to the pharmaceutical industry. Though oral delivery of medicine is convenient, biologics require invasive injections because of their poor bioavailability via oral routes. Delivery of biologics to the small intestine using electronic delivery with devices that are similar to capsule endoscopes is a promising means of overcoming this limitation and does not require reformulation of the therapeutic agent. The efficacy of such capsule devices for drug delivery could be further improved by increasing the permeability of the intestinal tract lining with an integrated ultrasound transducer to increase uptake. This paper describes a novel proof of concept capsule device capable of electronic application of focused ultrasound and delivery of therapeutic agents. Fluorescent markers, which were chosen as a model drug, were used to demonstrate in vivo delivery in the porcine small intestine with this capsule. We show that the fluorescent markers can penetrate the mucus layer of the small intestine at low acoustic powers when combining microbubbles with focused ultrasound during in vivo experiments using porcine models. This study illustrates how such a device could be potentially used for gastrointestinal drug delivery and the challenges to be overcome before focused ultrasound and microbubbles could be used with this device for the oral delivery of biologic therapeutics.
Collapse
|
|
13
|
Jing B, Kashyap EP, Lindsey BD. Transcranial activation and imaging of low boiling point phase-change contrast agents through the temporal bone using an ultrafast interframe activation ultrasound sequence. Med Phys 2020; 47:4450-4464. [PMID: 32657429 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE As a cavitation enhancer, low boiling point phase-change contrast agents (PCCA) offer potential for ultrasound-mediated drug delivery in applications including intracerebral hemorrhage or brain tumors. In addition to introducing cavitation, ultrasound imaging also has the ability to provide guidance and monitoring of the therapeutic process by localizing delivery events. However, the highly attenuating skull poses a challenge for achieving an image with useful contrast. In this study, the feasibility of transcranial activation and imaging of low boiling point PCCAs through the human temporal bone was investigated by using a low frequency ultrafast interframe activation ultrasound (UIAU) imaging sequence with singular value decomposition-based denoising. METHODS Lipid-shelled PCCAs filled with decafluorobutane were activated and imaged at 37°C in tissue-mimicking phantoms both without and with an ex vivo human skull using the new UIAU sequence and a low frequency diagnostic transducer array at frequencies from 1.5 to 3.5 MHz. A singular value decomposition-based denoising filter was developed and used to further enhance transcranial image contrast. The contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) and contrast enhancement (CE) of UIAU was quantitatively evaluated and compared with the amplitude modulation pulse inversion (AMPI) and vaporization detection imaging (VDI) approaches. RESULTS Image results demonstrate enhanced contrast in the phantom channel with suppressed background when the low boiling point PCCA was activated both without and with an ex vivo human skull using the UIAU sequence. Quantitative results show that without the skull, low frequency UIAU imaging provided significantly higher image contrast (CTR ≥ 18.56 dB and CE ≥ 18.66 dB) than that of AMPI and VDI (P < 0.05). Transcranial imaging results indicated that the CE of UIAU (≥18.80 dB) was significantly higher than AMPI for free-field activation pressures of 5 and 6 MPa. The CE of UIAU is also significantly higher than that of VDI when PCCAs were activated at 2.5 MHz and 3 MHz (P < 0.05). The CTR (23.30 [20.07-25.56] dB) of denoised UIAU increased by 12.58 dB relative to the non-denoised case and was significantly higher than that of AMPI at an activation pressure of 4 MPa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that low boiling point PCCAs can be activated and imaged at low frequencies including imaging through the temporal bone using the UIAU sequence. The UIAU imaging approach provides higher contrast than AMPI and VDI, especially at lower activation pressures with additional removal of electronic noise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Jing
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Esha P Kashyap
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Brooks D Lindsey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.,School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
14
|
Jing B, Brown ME, Davis ME, Lindsey BD. Imaging the Activation of Low-Boiling-Point Phase-Change Contrast Agents in the Presence of Tissue Motion Using Ultrafast Inter-frame Activation Ultrasound Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:1474-1489. [PMID: 32143861 PMCID: PMC7199438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) have been found to have great potential in non-invasive extravascular imaging and therapeutic delivery. However, the contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) of PCCA images is usually limited because of either physiological motion or incomplete cancelation of tissue signal. Therefore, to improve the CTR of PCCA images in the presence of physiological motion, a new imaging technique, ultrafast inter-frame activation ultrasound (UIAU) imaging, is proposed and validated. Results of studies with controlled motion in tissue-mimicking phantoms indicate UIAU could provide significantly higher CTRs (maximum: 17.3 ± 0.9 dB) relative to conventional pulse inversion imaging (maximum CTR: 3.4 ± 1.4 dB). UIAU has CTRs up to 16.1 ± 1.0 dB relative to 3.9 ± 2.3 dB for differential imaging in the presence of physiological motion at 20 mm/s. In vivo imaging of PCCAs in the rat liver also reveals the ability of UIAU to enhance PCCA image contrast in the presence of physiological motion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Jing
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Milton E Brown
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael E Davis
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Children's Heart Research & Outcomes Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brooks D Lindsey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|