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Article

Ultrasound-Mediated Gene Delivery: Influence of Contrast Agent on Transfection

Sophie Mehier-Humbert,^†^‡ Feng Yan,^‡ Peter Frinking,^‡ Michel Schneider,^‡ Richard H. Guy,^†^§ and Thierry Bettinger*^‡

University of Geneva, Department of Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, 30 quai Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland, Bracco Research SA, 31 route de la Galaise, 1228 Plan-les Ouates, Switzerland, and Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K

Bioconjugate Chem., 2007, 18 (3), pp 652–662

DOI: 10.1021/bc0602432

Publication Date (Web): April 10, 2007

†

University of Geneva, Department of Pharmacy and Biopharmacy.

‡

Bracco Research SA.

Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath.

Corresponding author. Dr. T. Bettinger, Bracco Research SA, 31 route de la Galaise, 1228 Plan-les Ouates, Switzerland; thierry.bettinger@brg.bracco.com; fax# 0041 22 884 88 85.

Abstract

MAT B III cells were insonified at ultrasound frequencies of 1.15 and 2.25 MHz in the presence of different ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and a plasmid encoding for the green fluorescent protein. The transfection efficiency was assessed by flow cytometry, while contrast agent destruction by ultrasound was evaluated using optical and scanning electronic microscopies. It was found that the gas and shell properties of the UCA have an important influence on cell transfection. A good correlation was observed between bubble destruction and transfection rate, and it was demonstrated, for the first time, that hard-shelled contrast agents (gas microcapsules) are promising candidates for ultrasound-mediated gene delivery.

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