Shock wave-induced permeabilization of mammalian cells

• Published in: Physics of life reviews 2018-11, Vol.26-27, p.1-38
• Main Authors: López-Marín, Luz M., Rivera, Ana Leonor, Fernández, Francisco, Loske, Achim M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustic cavitation; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Membrane Permeability - physiology; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Drug Carriers - metabolism; Drug Carriers - therapeutic use; Drug Liberation; Extracorporeal shock wave chemotherapy; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Fluid microjets; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genetic modification; Genetic Therapy - methods; High-Energy Shock Waves; Humans; Mammalian cell transfection; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - therapeutic use; Shock waves
• ISSN: 1571-0645; 1873-1457
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2018.03.001

Controlled permeabilization of mammalian cell membranes is fundamental to develop gene and cell therapies based on macromolecular cargo delivery, a process that emerged against an increasing number of health afflictions, including genetic disorders, cancer and infections. Viral vectors have been successfully used for macromolecular delivery; however, they may have unpredictable side effects and have been limited to life-threatening cases. Thus, several chemical and physical methods have been explored to introduce drugs, vaccines, and nucleic acids into cells. One of the most appealing physical methods to deliver genes into cells is shock wave-induced poration. High-speed microjets of fluid, emitted due to the collapse of microbubbles after shock wave passage, represent the most significant mechanism that contributes to cell membrane poration by this technique. Herein, progress in shock wave-induced permeabilization of mammalian cells is presented. After covering the main concepts related to molecular strategies whose applications depend on safer drug delivery methods, the physics behind shock wave phenomena is described. Insights into the use of shock waves for cell membrane permeation are discussed, along with an overview of the two major biomedical applications thereof—i.e., genetic modification and anti-cancer shock wave-assisted chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize 30 years of data showing underwater shock waves as a safe, noninvasive method for macromolecular delivery into mammalian cells, encouraging the development of further research, which is still required before the introduction of this promising tool into clinical practice. •A non-invasive method to transiently porate mammalian cells.•DNA, RNA and proteins are readily internalized into cells through shock waves.•Therapeutic value of shock wave-assisted macromolecular delivery has been proved.•Shock wave-induced cell membrane permeability enhances efficiency of anticancer drugs.•Acoustic cavitation is the major phenomenon involved in mammalian cell transfection.