In vitro methods to study bubble-cell interactions: Fundamentals and therapeutic applications

Abstract

Besides their use as contrast agents for ultrasound imaging, microbubbles are increasingly studied for a wide range of therapeutic applications. In particular, their ability to enhance the uptake of drugs through the permeabilization of tissues and cell membranes shows great promise. In order to fully understand the numerous paths by which bubbles can interact with cells and the even larger number of possible biological responses from the cells, thorough and extensive work is necessary. In this review, we consider the range of experimental techniques implemented in in vitro studies with the aim of elucidating these microbubble-cell interactions. First of all, the variety of cell types and cell models available are discussed, emphasizing the need for more and more complex models replicating in vivo conditions together with experimental challenges associated with this increased complexity. Second, the different types of stabilized microbubbles and more recently developed droplets and particles are presented, followed by their acoustic or optical excitation methods. Finally, the techniques exploited to study the microbubble-cell interactions are reviewed. These techniques operate over a wide range of timescales, or even off-line, revealing particular aspects or subsequent effects of these interactions. Therefore, knowledge obtained from several techniques must be combined to elucidate the underlying processes. V C 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Acoustic Characterization of the CLINIcell for Ultrasound Contrast Agent Studies

“…The OptiCell TM (Nunc, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wiesbaden, Germany) has been extensively used for both microbubble characterization and drug delivery studies [3]. Since the OptiCell is no longer being manufactured, the CLINIcell R (MABIO, Tourcoing, France) is an interesting alternative imaging and cell culture chamber.…”

Streaming flow by oscillating bubbles: quantitative diagnostics via particle tracking velocimetry

“…To achieve these aims, we rely on well-known analytical models that reproduce the observed fluid flow in very good approximation. Our results show that flow measurements can be used as diagnostics for the bubble dynamics which could additionally lead to optimization of the energy delivered to the system in real applications (Fernandez Rivas et al 2010;Verhaagen 2012;Lajoinie et al 2016). The precise determination of the different bubble oscillation regimes (linear, nonlinear, bubble emission) could allow for considerable energy savings, and a significant enhancement in control and reliability of processes.…”

Sonoporation of Cells by a Parallel Stable Cavitation Microbubble Array

“…[26][27][28] Zhou et al showed that the impact of the microbubble on the membrane permeability decreased dramatically with increasing distance between the cell and the bubble. [26][27][28] Zhou et al showed that the impact of the microbubble on the membrane permeability decreased dramatically with increasing distance between the cell and the bubble.…”