March 23, 2020 — Dove Medical Press
Abstract
Purpose: To synthesize and evaluate a novel folate-conjugated ultrasonic nanobubble (HA-FOL-NB) loading low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) for specific tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) targeting and reeducation.
Methods: The characteristics, cytotoxicity, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS), and targeting ability to TAMs of HA-FOL-NBs were investigated. The TAMs reprogramming function of HA-FOL-NBs combining ultrasound targeted nanobubble destruction was assessed as well.
Results: HA-FOL-NBs (about 342 nm) showed remarkable contrast enhancement images, and higher targeting ability due to the folate to folate receptor interactions. Combined with ultrasound targeted nanobubble destruction, HA-FOL-NBs could specifically deliver LMW-HA into TAMs, thus exhibited stronger reeducation effect compared with free LMW-HA.
Conclusion: These folate-conjugated and LMW-HA-loaded nanobubbles, with targeted CEUS imaging and TAMs reeducation, are expected to be a potential approach for tumor therapy based on TAMs, especially folate receptor-positive ones.
Authors: Xiao Sun,1 Lu Guo,1 Mengmeng Shang,1 Dandan Shi,1 Ping Liang,2 Xuanxuan Jing,1 Dong Meng,1 Xinxin Liu,1 Xiaoying Zhou,1 Yading Zhao,1 Jie Li1
1Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
