AUTHOR=Du Meng , Wang Ting , Feng Renjie , Zeng Penghui , Chen Zhiyi 

TITLE=Establishment of ultrasound-responsive SonoBacteriaBot for targeted drug delivery and controlled release

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1144963

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1144963

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p>Bacteria-driven biohybrid microbots have shown great potential in ca<sup>n</sup>cer treatment. However, how precisely controlling drug release at the tumor site is still an issue. To overcome the limitation of this system, we proposed the ultrasound-responsive SonoBacteriaBot (DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic>). Doxorubicin (DOX) and perfluoro-n-pentane (PFP) were encapsulated in polylactic acid-glycolic acid (PLGA) to form ultrasound-responsive DOX-PFP-PLGA nanodroplets. Then, DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic> is created by DOX-PFP-PLGA amide-bonded to the surface of <italic>E. coli MG1655</italic> (<italic>EcM</italic>). The DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic> was proved to have the characteristics of high tumor-targeting efficiency, controlled drug release capability, and ultrasound imaging. Based on the acoustic phase change function of nanodroplets, DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic> enhance the signal of US imaging after ultrasound irradiation. Meanwhile, the DOX loaded into DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic> can be released. After being intravenously injected, DOX-PFP-PLGA@<italic>EcM</italic> can efficiently accumulate in tumors without causing harm to critical organs. In conclusion, the SonoBacteriaBot has significant benefits in real-time monitoring and controlled drug release, which has significant potential applications for therapeutic drug delivery in clinical settings.</p>