In this study we are presenting a proof-of-concept microfluidic device that simultaneously applies the conditions required for microelectroporation and micro-sonoporation in a flow-through fashion that allows for high throughput, high efficiency transfection of mammalian cells. During the design stage, we developed a low-cost, high-resolution polymer microfabrication technique termed laser stenciling. While few other electro-sonoporation protocols have been reported, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to incorporate microelectroporation, which has been well established in literature to be advantageous to conventional electroporation, with flow-through micro-sonoporation. When comparing transfection efficiency for our electro-sonoporation method to that of sonoporation or microelectroporation alone, we observed single batch improvements up to 20 percent and 17 percent, respectively. The average improvement in efficiency was approximately 15 percent greater than achieved with sonoporation and 10 percent greater than that of electroporation. Importantly, there was little difference in short term cell viability between the three methods (maintained at > 90 percent). The average transfection efficiency for electro-sonoporation was 81.25 percent and cell viability was 91.56 percent. Overall, we have presented a device and electro-sonoporation method that meets or outperforms the transfection efficiency and cell viability standards for HeLa cells set by other reported electroporation and sonoporation methods.

No description available.

Des études récentes ont démontré que les activités des agents de contraste ultrasonoresous l’effet des ultrasons modulent transitoirement la perméabilité de la membraneplasmique des cellules. Ce procédé aussi appelé sonoporation est étudié pour incorporer desmolécules extracellulaires telles que des gènes thérapeutiques. Le but de la thèse fut d’étudierl’effet des paramètres acoustiques et expérimentaux pour une transfection efficace des cellulesin vitro et in vivo. Parallèlement, afin de clarifier le mécanisme de perméabilisation induit lorsde la sonoporation, nous avons, d’une part, étudié l’effet des ultrasons et des microbulles surla libération de molécules intracellulaires et d’autre part, observé en microscopie électroniqueles effets des ultrasons et des microbulles sur la membrane plasmique et sur l’incorporation denanoparticules d’or. / Future applications of ultrasound and microbubbles extend beyond imaging applications.Over the last few years, reports have shown that the activation of contrast microbubblesunder ultrasound waves, transiently modulates the cell membrane permeability. This process,named sonoporation has been studied to incorporate extracellular molecules such as therapeuticgenes. The aim of this work was to study the effect of various interrogation parameters toachieve an efficient cell transfection in vitro as well as in vivo. In parallel, and in order to clarifythe mechanism of permeabilization induced by sonoporation, we investigated the effect ofultrasound and microbubbles on release of intracellular molecules from fluorescent cells. Moreover,using electron microscopy, we examined the effect of the sonoporation process on thecell membrane and on incorporation of gold nanoparticles.

Šiame darbe buvo palygintas skirtingo dydžio fluoresceino izo- tio- cianin- (FITC) dekstranų molekulių pernašos efektyvumas naudojant elektroporaciją (vienas 800 V/cm arba 1500 V/cm amplitudės stačiakampis impulsas, impulso trukmė 100 μs ir 0.5 ms) ir sonoporaciją (3 MHz, 100% veikimo ciklas, 500 kPa neigiamu akustiniu slėgis, poveikio trukmė 1-10s. Darbo tikslas – nustatyti optimalias mažų molekulių pernašos į ląsteles elektroporacijos ir sonoporacijos sąlygas, siekiant tolimesniuose tyrimuose apjungti šias dvi pagal metodiką kardinaliai besiskiriančias permeabilizacijos kryptis taip, kad būtų pasiektas sinerginis arba suminis permeabilizacijos efektas. Eksperimentai atlikti naudojant Kiniško žiurkėno kiaušidžių (CHO) ląstelės. Naudojant fluorescencinės mikroskopijos metodiką, pernašos efektyvumas įvertintas pagal fluoresceinu nudažytų ląstelių skaičiaus procentinę išraišką. Į ląsteles įvestos 4, 10, ir 70 kDa (atitinkamai 1.4, 2.3 ir 6 nm hidrodinaminio spindulio) FITC dekstranų molekulės, pagal kurių patekimą į ląstelių vidų buvo interpretuojamas susidariusių porų dydis. Sonoporuotų ląstelių skaičius mažėjo didėjant įvedamų fluorescuojančių molekulių matmenims. Didžiausias sonoporuotų ląstelių pralaidumas nustatytas iki 2.3 nm hidrodinaminio spindulio (4 ir 10 kDa FITC dekstranų) molekulėms, jos į ląsteles galėjo difunduoti praėjus 5 min po sonoporacijos. Naudojant elektroporaciją, ar sonoporaciją magnetiniame lauke, visų dydžių FITC dekstranų pernaša į ląsteles buvo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study was to evaluate efficiency of intracellular transfer of FITC dextrans using sonoporation and electroporation in dependence of FITC dextran hydrodynamic radius. The results have shown that in comparison to electroporation (one square-wave pulse, of 1500 V/cm pulse strength, 100 - 500 µs pulse duration), sonoporation (3 MHz, 100% DC, at 500 kPa peak negative pressure) was more efficient for transfer of all sizes FITC dextrans. The results also demonstrated that after cell sonoporation large pores, allowing to pass 70 kDa FITC dextran, completely resealed short after sonoporation (< 1 s). The pores allowing to pass 10 and 4 kDa FITC dextrans completely resealed during 5 and 10 min. respectively. In addition, we applied static magnetic field to examine the US iduced delivery of FITC dextrans into cells, however observed no significant effect.

No description available.

CD20 est une cible thérapeutique validée pour l’immunothérapie des néoplasmes lymphoïdesdes cellules B, incluant la Leucémie Lymphoïde Chronique (LLC). Nous avons comparé les effets de rituximab et de GA101 (nouvel anticorps anti-CD20) contre les cellules LLC fraiches in vitro. Le marquage avec Annexine V a démontré une induction de l’apoptose après l’exposition au rituximab et GA101.Contrairement au rituximab, GA101 induisait une réduction du potentiel transmembranaire mitochondrial, uneffet qui peut être partiellement inhibé par la cyclosporine A et qui est partiellement caspase-dépendant. GA101induisait aussi la production des espèces d’oxygènes réactives. L’analyse du niveau d’expression des protéinespro- et anti-apoptotiques après exposition aux anticorps a démontré une forte hétérogénéité entre les échantillons.Bax subissait une activation de conformation et une translocation mitochondriale suite à l’exposition aux anticorps d’une manière caspase-indépendante. GA101, mais pas rituximab, induisait le clivage des caspase-8, -9et -3. En transfectant les cellules LLC avec un siRNA ciblant Bcl-xL utilisant la sonoporation, nous avons trouvéque la réduction du niveau d’expression de Bcl-xL est associée à une augmentation de la sensibilité aux anticorps. Nos résultats suggèrent que les voies de signalisation apoptotiques diffèrent entre rituximab et GA101avec une implication de la voie mitochondriale avec le GA101. L’inhibition de Bcl-xL peut constituer une façon pour sensibiliser les cellules LLC aux effets apoptotiques des anticorps anti-CD20. / CD20 is a validated target for the immunotherapy of B lymphoid neoplasms, including ChronicLymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). We compared the activities of rituximab and GA101 (novel anti-CD20 antibody)on fresh human CLL cells in vitro. AnnexinV staining demonstrated induction of apoptosis after exposure torituximab or GA101. Unlike rituximab, GA101 induced a reduction of the mitochondrial transmembranepotential, an effect which could be partially inhibited by cyclosporin A and which was partially caspasedependent.GA101 was also found to induce the production of Reactive Oxygen Species. Analysis of pro- andanti-apoptotic protein content after exposure to antibodies demonstrated a strong degree of heterogeneity between samples. Bax underwent conformational activation and mitochondrial translocation upon exposure toantibodies in a caspase-independent manner. GA101 but not rituximab induced cleavage of caspase-8, -9 and -3.By transfecting CLL cells with anti-Bcl-xL siRNA using a sonoporation method, we found that reduction of BclxLcontent was associated with increased sensitivity to these antibodies. Our results suggest that apoptoticsignalization pathways differ between rituximab and GA101 with a greater involvement of the mitochondrialpathway for GA101. Inhibition of Bcl-xL could constitute an approach to sensitize CLL cells to the apoptoticeffects of anti-CD20 antibodies.

Le tendon est un organe impliqué dans de nombreux troubles musculo squelettiques. Les connaissances des différentes molécules impliquées dans la biologie des tendons permettent d’envisager des traitements par thérapie génique. L'objectif de cette thèse a été d'évaluer la faisabilité de transférer des gènes dans les tendons par deux méthodes non virales : une méthode chimique utilisant des nanoparticules de silice mésoporeuses et une méthode physique reposant sur l’utilisation des ultrasons et des microbulles de gaz (sonoporation). Dans une première étude, nous avons montré que des nanoparticules de silice mésoporeuses sont capables de transférer efficacement des gènes dans le tendon d’Achille de rat. Celles-ci ont été utilisées pour transférer le gène du facteur de croissance PDGF dans des tendons lésés. Nos résultats indiquent une accélération de la réparation du tendon lésé. Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons utilisé la sonoporation, technique jamais appliquée aux tendons. Nous avons déterminé les paramètres acoustiques permettant un transfert de gènes efficace dans le tendon d'Achille de souris. Une expression stable d’un transgène a été maintenue pendant 100 jours suite à une injection locale d’ADN en présence de microbulles de gaz. Nous avons ensuite utilisé cette méthode dans un modèle de souris transgénique invalidée pour le gène de la fibromoduline possédant des fibres de collagène anormales. Une restauration remarquable du phénotype de ces souris a été observée suite au transfert du gène de la fibromoduline. Nous avons ensuite étudié les interactions entre les microbulles, la membrane plasmique et le transfert de gènes dans les cellules sous ultrasons. Ces études ont permis d’identifier pour la première fois, une pénétration des microbulles de gaz dans la cellule et un trafic intracellulaire de l’ADN impliquant la voie d’endocytose clathrine dépendante. En conclusion, les deux méthodes de transfert de gènes non virales ont permis de transfecter des gènes efficacement dans les tendons. Ces résultats prometteurs permettent d’envisager leur exploitation pour des applications thérapeutiques dans les pathologies tendineuses. / Tendons are often involved in many musculoskeletal disorders. Knowledge of the different molecules involved in tendons biology allows to consider treatments based on gene therapy. The goal of my work was to evaluate the feasibility of gene transfer in tendons by using two non-viral methods: mesoporous silica nanoparticles and a physical method based on ultrasound-assisted gas microbubbles (sonoporation). In the first study, we showed that mesoporous silica nanoparticles could efficiently transfer genes in rat Achilles tendon. They were used to transfer plasmid DNA encoding PDGF growth factor gene in injured tendons. Data demonstrated that DNA/MSN complexes have improved the healing of injured tendons. In the second study, we used the sonoporation method which has never been applied to the tendons. First, we determined the acoustic parameters for gene transfer in mice Achilles tendon. A stable expression of the transgene was maintained up to 100 days following one local injection of DNA in the presence of gas microbubbles. We then used this method to restore the fibromodulin knocked out gene in a transgenic mouse model having disorganized collagen fibers in tendons. Following the transfer of fibromodulin gene, a remarkable restoration of collagen fibers in these mice was observed. In the last part, we studied the interactions of microbubbles with the plasma membrane and the plasmid DNA internalization into the cells by sonoporation. These studies have identified for the first time a rapid penetration of gas microbubbles inside the cell and an intracellular routing of DNA involving the clathrinmediated endocytosis pathway. In conclusion, both methods of non viral gene transfer led to an efficient gene transfer in tendons. These promising results obtained during this project allow considering their use for therapeutic applications in tendon diseases.

Therapeutic efficacy of drugs depends on their ability to reach the treatment target. Drugs that exert their effect within cells are constrained by an inability to cross the cell membrane. Methods are being developed to overcome this barrier including biochemical and biophysical strategies. The application of ultrasound with microbubbles increases the permeability of cell membranes allowing molecules, which otherwise would be excluded, to enter the intracellular space of cells; a phenomenon known as sonoporation. This thesis describes studies aimed at improving our understanding of the mechanism underpinning sonoporation and of the exposure parameters affecting sonoporation efficiency. Cancer cells (KHT-C) in suspension were exposed to ultrasound and microbubbles – total of 97 exposure conditions. The effects on cells were assessed through uptake of cell-impermeable molecules (10 kDa to 2 MDa FITC-dextran), cell viability and microscopic observations of the plasma membrane using flow cytometry, colony assay and electron microscopy techniques. Sonoporation was a result of the interaction of ultrasound and microbubbles with the cell membrane. Disruptions (30-100 nm) were generated on the cell membrane allowing cell impermeable molecules to cross the membrane. Molecules up to 2 MDa in size were delivered at high efficiency (~70% permeabilisation). Sonoporation was short lived; cells re-established their barrier function within one minute, which allowed compounds to remain inside the cell. Following uptake, cells remained viable; ~50% of sonoporated cells proliferated. Sonoporation efficiency depended on ultrasound and microbubble exposure conditions. Microbubble disruption was a necessary but insufficient indicator of ultrasound-induced permeabilisation. The exposure conditions can be tailored to achieve a desired effect; cell permeability of ~70% with ~25% cell death versus permeability of ~35% with ~2% cell death. In addition, sonoporation depended on position in the cell cycle. Cells in later stages were more prone to being permeabilised and killed by ultrasound and microbubbles. This study indicated that sonoporation can be controlled through exposure parameters and that molecular size may not be a limiting factor. However, the transient nature may necessitate that the drug be in close vicinity to target cells in sonoporation-mediated therapies. Future work will extend the investigation into in vivo models.

Therapeutic efficacy of drugs depends on their ability to reach the treatment target. Drugs that exert their effect within cells are constrained by an inability to cross the cell membrane. Methods are being developed to overcome this barrier including biochemical and biophysical strategies. The application of ultrasound with microbubbles increases the permeability of cell membranes allowing molecules, which otherwise would be excluded, to enter the intracellular space of cells; a phenomenon known as sonoporation. This thesis describes studies aimed at improving our understanding of the mechanism underpinning sonoporation and of the exposure parameters affecting sonoporation efficiency. Cancer cells (KHT-C) in suspension were exposed to ultrasound and microbubbles – total of 97 exposure conditions. The effects on cells were assessed through uptake of cell-impermeable molecules (10 kDa to 2 MDa FITC-dextran), cell viability and microscopic observations of the plasma membrane using flow cytometry, colony assay and electron microscopy techniques. Sonoporation was a result of the interaction of ultrasound and microbubbles with the cell membrane. Disruptions (30-100 nm) were generated on the cell membrane allowing cell impermeable molecules to cross the membrane. Molecules up to 2 MDa in size were delivered at high efficiency (~70% permeabilisation). Sonoporation was short lived; cells re-established their barrier function within one minute, which allowed compounds to remain inside the cell. Following uptake, cells remained viable; ~50% of sonoporated cells proliferated. Sonoporation efficiency depended on ultrasound and microbubble exposure conditions. Microbubble disruption was a necessary but insufficient indicator of ultrasound-induced permeabilisation. The exposure conditions can be tailored to achieve a desired effect; cell permeability of ~70% with ~25% cell death versus permeability of ~35% with ~2% cell death. In addition, sonoporation depended on position in the cell cycle. Cells in later stages were more prone to being permeabilised and killed by ultrasound and microbubbles. This study indicated that sonoporation can be controlled through exposure parameters and that molecular size may not be a limiting factor. However, the transient nature may necessitate that the drug be in close vicinity to target cells in sonoporation-mediated therapies. Future work will extend the investigation into in vivo models.

Le travail présenté ici porte sur l’étude et le contrôle de la cavitation acoustique dans le but de développer un système de sonoporation efficace pour les cellules en suspension et les cellules adhérentes. Le manuscrit est composé de trois chapitres. Tout d’abord, une revue de la littérature sur les différentes techniques physiques utilisées en transfection cellulaire, et plus particulièrement la sonoporation. Il a été démontré que le principal mécanisme de la sonoporation est étroitement lié au phénomène de cavitation acoustique. Un contrôle de ce phénomène aléatoire apparaît alors intéressant afin d’augmenter le taux de transfection tout en gardant une forte viabilité cellulaire. Dans le second chapitre, un système de régulation de cavitation ultrasonore basé sur un indice acoustique de cavitation a été étudié. Cet indice, est basé sur la mesure de bruit large bande émis lors de l’implosion des bulles de cavitation. Les avantages d’un tel système sont : un suivi en temps réel du niveau de cavitation durant l’irradiation, des informations quasi-instantanées sur les composantes spectrales caractéristiques de la cavitation, une meilleure reproductibilité et stabilité du niveau de cavitation surtout pour les intensités modérés. Dans le troisième chapitre, pour comprendre les mécanismes de la sonoporation, un deuxième système de cavitation contrôlé a été conçu dans le but de permettre une visualisation du milieu en cours d’insonification. Ce nouveau dispositif est adapté à un fonctionnement sous microscope photonique à transmission et à fluorescence. Des essais de transfection de siRNAs, sur les cellules en suspension (RL du lymphome folliculaire) et sur les cellules adhérentes (cancer du sein ; MDA-MB 231) ont permis de valider in vitro l’efficacité de ce système en atteignant un taux de 40 % de transfection pour ces deux types de cellules, avec un très faible taux de mortalité (< 10 %) / The aim of the present work, which is based on the study and the control of acoustic cavitation, is to develop an efficient sonoporation system to transfect the cells in suspension and the adherent cells. The manuscript is composed of three chapters. The first one takes a glance on the state of art of different physical techniques used in cells transfection, and more precisely on sonoporation. It has been shown that the principal mechanism of sonoporation is closely linked to acoustic cavitation. Thus, a control of this random phenomenon is important to increase the rate of transfection while keeping strong cell viability. In the second chapter, a regulated cavitation generator based on an acoustic index was studied. This index is based on the measure of broad band noise emitted during the implosion of the cavitation bubbles. The advantage of such a system is: a control in real time of the level cavitation during sonication, leading to a better reproducibility and stability of the cavitation level, especially for the moderate intensities. In the third chapter, in order further study the sonoporation mechanisms, a second regulated cavitation generator was studied; its aim is to be able to visualize the medium during sonication. This new device is adapted to the performance under a fluorescencemicroscope with fluorescence transmission. SiRNAs transfection, was validated in vitro by attending a rate of 40 % of transfection for the two types of cells, with a very low rate of mortality (< 10%), for both suspended cells (RL of follicular lymphoma) and adherent cells (Cancer of breast; MDA-MB 231)