Temperature-Responsive Hydrophobic Silica Nanoparticle Ultrasound Contrast Agents Directed by Phospholipid Phase Behavior.

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we report ultrasonically active nanoscale contrast agents that behave as thermometric sensors through phase change in their stabilizing phospholipid monolayer. Phospholipid-stabilized, hydrophobic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (P@hMSNs) are known to interact with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to promote cavitation at their surfaces, which can be used for both imaging and therapy. We show that the lateral lipid phase behavior of the phosphocholine lipid dictates the acoustic contrast of the P@hMSNs. When the lipids are in the gel phase below their melting temperature, the P@hMSNs generate detectable microbubbles when exposed to HIFU. However, if the lipids exhibit a liquid expanded phase, the P@hMSNs cease to generate bubbles in response to HIFU insonation. We ve

SUBMITTER: Blum NT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702127 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature