Ultrasound enhancement of liposome-mediated cell transfection is caused by cavitation effects

Cationic liposomes (CL) are widely used vectors for gene transfer. Recently, ultrasound (US) was reported to enhance liposome-mediated gene transfer to eucaryotic cells in culture. The present study was aimed at studying the effects of 2-MHz pulsed Doppler US on malignant brain tumor cells transfection by cationic liposome/plasmid-DNA complexes (lipoplexes). Cationic liposomes consisting of DOSPA/DOPE were complexed with a plasmid carrying the cDNA encoding green autofluorescent protein (EGFP). Rodent (9L) and canine (J3T) glioma cells were exposed to pulsed US in the presence of EGFP-lipoplexes. A diagnostic transcranial Doppler device (MultiDop L) was used for insonation for 30, 60, and 90 s at 2 MHz/0.5 W/cm(2). To eliminate US reflection and cavitation, a custom-made absorption chamber was designed, where US is applied through a water tank before interacting with the cells and is fully absorbed after passing through the cell layer. Expression of the marker gene EGFP was quantified by FACS analysis and intravital fluorescent microscopy. Cell viability was accessed by Trypan Blue staining. US treatment of tumor cells on microplates for 60 s yielded a significant increase in transfection rates without damaging the cells, but 90-s treatment killed most of the cells. In the absorption chamber, no significant effects of US on transfection were noted. Additional experiments employed US contrast agent (Levovist, Schering) which was able to significantly increase tumor cell transfection rate by enhancing cavitation effects, and also severely damaged most cells when applied at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. In conclusion, our results support the assumption that US effects on lipoplex transfection rates in brain tumor cells in culture are mediated by cavitation effects.