Construction of a Tumor-Targeting Nanobubble with Multiple Scattering Interfaces and its Enhancement of Ultrasound Imaging

Abstract

Introduction:Recently, nanobubbles (NBs) have gained significant traction in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment owing to their distinctive advantages. However, the application of NBs is limited due to their restricted size and singular reflection section, resulting in low ultrasonic reflection. Methods: We synthesized a nano-scale ultrasound contrast agent (IR783-SiO 2 NPs@NB) by encapsulating SiO 2 nanoparticles in an IR783-labeled lipid shell using an improved film hydration method. We characterized its physicochemical properties, examined its microscopic morphology, evaluated its stability and cytotoxicity, and assessed its contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging capability both in vitro and in vivo. Results:The results show that IR783-SiO 2 NPs@NB had a "donut-type" composite microstructure, exhibited uniform particle size distribution (637.2 ± 86.4 nm), demonstrated excellent stability (30 min), high biocompatibility, remarkable tumor specific binding efficiency (99.78%), and an exceptional contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging capability. Conclusion: Our newly developed multiple scattering NBs with tumor targeting capacity have excellent contrast-enhanced imaging capability, and they show relatively long contrast enhancement duration in solid tumors, thus providing a new approach to the structural design of NBs.

Construction of a Tumor-Targeting Nanobubble with Multiple Scattering Interfaces and Its Enhancement of Ultrasound Imaging [Letter]

“…The study highlights the innovative approach of encapsulating SiO2 nanoparticles in an IR783-labeled lipid shell using an improved film hydration method. 1 This methodology is commendable for addressing the common limitations associated with nanobubbles, particularly their restricted size and singular reflection section, which typically result in low ultrasonic reflection. Larger scattering radii in nanometric UCAs enhance ultrasonic signals, which is previously reported that’s all shared the same structure, with only one contributing interface, 2 with multi-scattering proving more effective, as shown in Zhang’s “rattle”-type SiO 2 NPs.…”