Morphological study of acoustic liposomes using transmission electron microscopy

• DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfp056
• Publication Date: 2009-11-12T01:31:42Z
• Authors: T. Kodama; N. Tomita; S. Horie; N. Sax; H. Iwasaki; R. Suzuki; K. Maruyama; S. Mori; F. Manabu
• Keywords: Zeta potential; Echogenicity

Sonoporation is achieved by ultrasound-mediated destruction of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) microbubbles. For this, UCAs must be tissue specific and have good echogenicity also function as drug carriers. Previous studies developed acoustic liposomes (ALs), that encapsulate phosphate buffer solution perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas both Few examined the co-existence liquid in ALs. This study aims to elucidate AL structure using TEM. The size, zeta potential ALs were compared with those two other UCAs, human albumin shell bubbles (ABs; Optison) lipid (LBs). ABs LBs C3F8 gas. Particle size was measured dynamic light scattering. determined Smoluchowski equation. UCA investigated ~200 nm smaller than ABs. had almost neutral potentials whereas AB values strongly negative. negative or double staining TEM images revealed ~20% contained gas, while ~80% alone (i.e. nonacoustic). Negative indicated electron beam scattering near surface, detected filament form. These findings suggest capable carrying drugs high-molecular-weight, low-solubility gases.