A multifunctional theranostic contrast agent for ultrasound/near infrared fluorescence imaging-based tumor diagnosis and ultrasound-triggered combined photothermal and gene therapy.

PURPOSE: Encapsulated microbubbles (MBs) have been reported as new theranostic carriers for simultaneous imaging and ultrasound (US)-triggered therapy. Here, we designed a dual-modality US/NIRF contrast agent and extended its applications from image contrast enhancement to combined diagnosis and therapy with US-directed and site-specific targeting. METHODS: Gold nanorods (AuNRs) resonant at 880 nm together with the NIR797 dye were first encapsulated in lipid-shelled MBs to construct fluorescent gold microbubbles (NIR797/AuMBs) via thin film hydration and mechanical shaking in the presence of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. Then, polyethylenimine (PEI)-DNA complexes were electrostatically conjugated onto the surface of the NIR797/AuMBs, forming theranostic encapsulated MBs (PEI-DNA/NIR797/AuMBs). The potential of the PEI-DNA/NIR797/AuMBs for use as a dual-modality contrast enhancement agent was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The antitumor effect of US/NIR laser irradiation mediating double-fusion suicide gene and photothermal therapy was also investigated using Bel-7402 cells and xenografts. RESULTS: The developed theranostic AuMB complexes could not only provide excellent US and NIRF imaging to detect tumors but also serve as an efficient US-triggered carrier for gene delivery and photothermal ablation of tumors in xenografted nude mice. And US + laser exposure group showed a much higher rate of cell inhibition, apoptosis and necrosis as well as a higher Bel-7402 xenograft inhibition rate than the single gene therapy or single exposure (US or laser) group. CONCLUSIONS: PEI-DNA/NIR797/AuMBs would be of great value for providing more comprehensive diagnostic information and to guide more accurate and effective synergistic cancer therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This is an original paper focusing on developing a dual-modality US/NIRF contrast agent and extended its applications from image contrast enhancement to combined diagnosis and therapy with US-directed and site-specific targeting. The developed theranostic AuMB complexes could not only provide excellent US and NIRF imaging to detect tumors but also serve as an efficient US-triggered carrier for gene delivery and photothermal ablation of tumors in xenografted nude mice. PEI-DNA/NIR797/AuMBs would be of great value for providing more comprehensive diagnostic information and to guide more accurate and effective synergistic cancer therapy.

[Synergistic inhibitory effect of all-trans retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 on growth of human hepatoma cell line HepG2].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and induce their differentiation. They have been used to treat leukemia, but their effects on solid tumors remain unclear. This study was to investigate the effects of ATRA and 1,25(OH)2D3 on growth and cell cycle of human hepatoma cell line HepG2, and explore the molecular mechanism. METHODS: After HepG2 cells were treated with ATRA, 1,25(OH)2D3, or the combination of both chemicals, cell survival was assessed by MTT assay, morphologic changes were observed under light microscope, cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry (FCM) with dual staining of AnnexinV/PI, and the expression of p21(WAF/CIP1) and p27(KIP1) mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and FCM. RESULTS: ATRA and 1,25(OH)2D3, used alone or in combination, inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was more obvious in the combination group than in ATRA group and 1,25(OH)2D3 group (P<0.05). FCM analysis indicated that 10 nmol/L 1,25(OH)2D3, used alone or in combination with ATRA for 72 h, strongly induced G1 phase arrest of HepG2 cells [(54.27+/-3.69)% and (65.64+/-5.65)% vs. (40.40+/-1.91)% of the control, P<0.05], but 1 micromol/L ATRA did not show obvious effect. All of them induced apoptosis (P<0.05). The mRNA level of p21(WAF/CIP1) was enhanced by 35% and 56% of control in the cells treated with 10 nmol/L 1,25(OH)2D3 or 1,25(OH)2D3 combined with ATRA for 24 h. The combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and ATRA markedly enhanced the protein levels of p21(WAF/CIP1) and p27(KIP1) as compared with 1,25(OH)2D3 alone, and 1 micromol/L ATRA did not enhance the protein levels of p21(WAF/CIP1) and p27(KIP1) in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: ATRA and 1,25(OH)2D3 could inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells, and the molecular basis of the cell cycle blockade by 1,25(OH)2D3 may be associated with the up-regulation of CDK inhibitors p21(WAF/CIP1) and p27(KIP1), which mediate G1 arrest. Furthermore, the combination of ATRA and 1,25(OH)2D3 can exert synergistic inhibitory effect on the growth of HepG2 cells.