超声造影剂在基因治疗方面应用的研究

Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Gene Therapy

利用微气泡及其外衣的物理特性,可将治疗基因与造影剂结合,待外周静脉注入携带基因的微气泡到达靶组织后,行超声照射可局部释放基因,并使之经通透性增大的微血管和细胞膜进入靶细胞,既提高了基因治疗的靶向性,又能促进治疗基因的转染和表达。若将特异性配体与造影剂微气泡相结合,则能进一步提高基因治疗的靶向性。此外,空化效应产生的局部冲击波,也可促进细胞摄取外源性基因。可见,造影剂微气泡可作为药物和基因运输的载体,有着广阔的应用前景。

Using physical properties of microbubbles and coating materials, therapeutic gene have been incorporated into ultrasound contrast agents. Genebearing microbubbles can be injected IV and ultrasound energy applied to the target region. As the microbubbles enter the region of insonation, the microbubbles cavitate, locally releasing gene, and microvessel walls and cell membranes can be permeabilized, so that it can improve the efficiency of gene transfection and transgene expression in cells. Microbubble targeting can be more promoted through the attachment of site-specific ligands. Cavitation also likely causes a local Shockwave that improves cellular uptake of gene.Ultrasound contrast agents can be used to develop new, more effective vectors for drug and gene delivery.