Ultrasound and microbubble induced release from intracellular compartments

• Main Authors: Farah Hussein, Costin Antonescu, Raffi Karshafian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-05-01
• Series: BMC Biotechnology
• Subjects: Ultrasound and microbubble; Sonoporation; Endocytosis; Exocytosis; Intracellular uptake; Intracellular release
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12896-017-0364-3

Abstract Background Ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB) have been shown to enhance the intracellular uptake of molecules, generally thought to occur as a result of sonoporation. The underlying mechanism associated with USMB-enhanced intracellular uptake such as membrane disruption and endocytosis may also be associated with USMB-induced release of cellular materials to the extracellular milieu. This study investigates USMB effects on the molecular release from cells through membrane-disruption and exocytosis. Results USMB induced the release of 19% and 67% of GFP from the cytoplasm in viable and non-viable cells, respectively. Tfn release from early/recycling endosomes increased by 23% in viable cells upon USMB treatment. In addition, the MFI of LAMP-1 antibody increased by 50% in viable cells, suggesting USMB-stimulated lysosome exocytosis. In non-viable cells, labeling of LAMP-1 intracellular structures in the absence of cell permeabilization by detergents suggests that USMB-induced cell death correlates with lysosomal permeabilization. Conclusions In conclusion, USMB enhanced the molecular release from the cytoplasm, lysosomes, and early/recycling endosomes.