pH- and acoustic-responsive platforms based on perfluoropentane-loaded protein nanoparticles for ovarian tumor-targeted ultrasound imaging and therapy

In this study, we developed a multifunctional ultrasound (US) therapeutic agent that encapsulates perfluoropentane (PFP) into ferritin (FRT) and conjugates the tumor-targeting molecule folic acid (FA) (FA-FRT-PFP). The prepared FA-FRT-PFP had an average particle diameter of 42.8 ± 2.5 nm, a zeta potential of − 41.1 ± 1.7 mV and shows good stability in physiological solution and temperatures. FRT is a pH-sensitive cage protein that, at pH 5.0, disassembles to form pores that can load PFP. The adjustment to neutral pH closes the pores and encapsulates the PFP inside the FRT to form nanoparticles. At pH 5.0, 3 min of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU, 2 W/cm(2)) significantly enhanced the US signal of FA-FRT-PFP through the acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) effect. Under identical conditions, 4 min of LIFU irradiation caused the bubbles generated by FA-FRT-PFP to break. FA-FRT-PFP could be efficiently targeted into ovarian cancer cells and significantly enhanced the US contrast of FA-FRT-PFP after 3 min of LIFU irradiation. After 4 min of LIFU irradiation, cell viability significantly decreased due to necrosis, likely due to the FA-FRT-PFP mediated release of PFP in the acidic environment of lysosomes after entering the tumor cells. PFP is then transformed into bubbles that burst under LIFU irradiation, forming physical shock waves that lead to the destruction of the cell structure and necrosis, achieving tumor treatment. Taken together, this demonstrates that FA-FRT-PFP is both a novel and promising US theranostics agent for future clinic application.