1. In Vivo Ultrasound Imaging of Macrophages Using Acoustic Vaporization of Internalized Superheated Nanodroplets.
- Author
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Chudal L, Santelli J, Lux J, Woodward A, Hafeez N, Endsley C, Garland S, Mattrey RF, and de Gracia Lux C
- Subjects
- United States, Animals, Rats, Volatilization, Acoustics, Rats, Nude, Ultrasonography, Macrophages, Fluorocarbons
- Abstract
Activating patients' immune cells, either by reengineering them or treating them with bioactive molecules, has been a breakthrough in the field of immunotherapy and has revolutionized treatment, especially against cancer. As immune cells naturally home to tumors or injured tissues, labeling such cells holds promise for non-invasive tracking and biologic manipulation. Our study demonstrates that macrophages loaded with extremely low boiling point perfluorocarbon nanodroplets not only survive ultrasound-induced phase change but also maintain their phagocytic function. Unlike observations made when using higher boiling point perfluorocarbon nanodroplets, our results show that phase change occurs intracellularly at a low mechanical index using a clinical scanner operating within the energy limit set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After nanodroplet-loaded macrophages were given intravenously to nude rats, they were invisible in the liver when imaged at a very low mechanical index using a clinical ultrasound scanner. They became visible when power was increased but still within the FDA limits up to 8 h after administration. The acoustic labeling and in vivo detection of macrophages using a clinical ultrasound scanner represent a paradigm shift in the field of cell tracking and pave the way for potential therapeutic strategies in the clinical setting.
- Published
- 2023
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