The Oregon Health and Science University have developed a gene therapy technique that allows microscopic bubbles that have been chemically modified to stick to the cells that line blood vessels.
Cardiologist Jonathan Lindner has developed ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (UMGD) by exploiting contrasting agents that are normally injected into the body to improve ultrasound images. In UMGD, the tiny particles are microbubbles composed of pockets of gas encapsulated by thin membranes that are coated with DNA before injection. A targeted pulse of ultrasound energy "rings" the bubbles like a bell, popping them in a specific location and releasing the DNA into the surrounding tissue. This DNA then binds with the corresponding site of action and this relatively increases the amount of gene transfection that occurs. Lindner also created arm-like mechanism to improve the specificity of the DNA deposit where bubbles attach to the tissue before being popped.
This has been successful in delivering therapeutic DNA to the walls of blood vessels where Dr. Lindner has stimulated the growth of new blood vessels using UMGD with microbubbles carrying a gene for vascular endothelial growth factor. At the present this technology is still in its testing stages but promising results have so far shown that this may be offered as a form of treatment in short future.
In the meantime, Dr. Lindner and his team are investigating as to whether the microbubbles can be used to transport small doses of drugs for a more safer and efficient approach to drug delivery.
American Institute of Physics (2009, April 29). Gene-laden Bubbles Grow New Blood Vessels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/04/090426094213.htm
