Influence of polymer adjuvants on the ultrasound-mediated transfection of cells in culture.

The purpose of this study was to further understand the mechanisms involved in ultrasound-mediated delivery of DNA (sonoporation); in particular, to understand how a plasmid should be formulated with an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA). Different polymer adjuvant-UCA combinations were formulated, and their impact on in vitro DNA transfection, was determined, under various experimental conditions. When present in the medium surrounding a cell suspension, and in the presence of a plasmid encoding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP), expression following sonoporation was increased by more than 1.

Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery: influence of contrast agent on transfection.

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.

Plasma membrane poration induced by ultrasound exposure: implication for drug delivery.

Sonoporation, in the presence of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA), is a technique that permits the transfer of drugs, including genes, into cells. In this study, the size of the pores created by ultrasound application, and the duration of pore opening, have been characterized via indirect molecular probing and microscopic observation. Internalization of molecules with diameters up to 37 nm was efficient and generally well-tolerated; on the other hand, confocal microscopy revealed that 75 nm particles entered only a few cells when sonoporation was applied.

Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery: kinetics of plasmid internalization and gene expression.

Sonoporation is an approach that can be used to transfer DNA or drugs into cells. However, very little is known about the mechanism of ultrasound-mediated membrane permeabilization. In this investigation, DNA transport post-sonoporation and the subsequent plasmid internalization and protein expression kinetics have been studied.

Physical methods for gene transfer: improving the kinetics of gene delivery into cells.

One factor critical to successful gene therapy is the development of efficient delivery systems. Although advances in gene transfer technology, including viral and non-viral vectors, have been made, an ideal vector system has not yet been constructed. This review describes the basic principles behind various physical methods for gene transfer and assesses the advantages and performance of such approaches, compared to other transfection systems.