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Ultrasound-Triggered Microbubbles: Novel Targeted Core-Shell for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction Disease
Aliyeh Ghamkhari1, Hossein Ahmadi Tafti2, Shahram Rabbani2
1Institute of Polymeric Materials and Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz 5331817634, Iran.
ACS Omega
|April 3, 2023
Summary
This study presents novel microbubbles loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for targeted myocardial infarction (MI) therapy. Ultrasound triggers these microbubbles to effectively deliver bFGF to damaged heart tissue, showing potential for noninvasive treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) causes significant cardiac cell death and vascular damage.
- Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction is a promising approach for MI therapeutics, drug delivery, and imaging.
- Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to the infarcted region remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel therapeutic ultrasound system for targeted delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to the MI region.
- To create biocompatible microstructures for enhanced drug delivery and imaging in MI.
- To evaluate the efficacy of bFGF-loaded microbubbles for noninvasive MI therapy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of core-shell microspheres using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-heparin-polyethylene glycol-cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartate-platelet (PLGA-HP-PEG-cRGD-platelet).
- Utilized microfluidics for preparing perfluorohexane (PFH)-core and PLGA-HP-PEG-cRGD-platelet-shell particles.
- Investigated ultrasound-triggered vaporization of PFH to form microbubbles.
- Performed *in vitro* evaluations including ultrasound imaging, encapsulation efficiency, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake using HUVECs.
- Conducted *in vivo* imaging to assess microsphere accumulation in ischemic myocardium.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed bFGF-loaded microbubbles (bFGF-MSs) with a core-shell structure.
- Demonstrated ultrasound-induced phase transition of PFH to generate microbubbles.
- Confirmed adequate response to ultrasound irradiation for therapeutic potential.
- *In vitro* studies showed promising encapsulation efficiency and cellular uptake.
- *In vivo* imaging confirmed effective accumulation of microspheres in the ischemic myocardium.
Conclusions:
- The developed bFGF-loaded microbubbles show potential as a noninvasive and effective carrier for myocardial infarction therapy.
- Ultrasound-mediated targeted delivery offers a promising strategy for treating MI.
- The novel microsphere system facilitates targeted drug delivery and biomedical imaging for cardiovascular diseases.
