Intercellular Calcium Waves and Permeability Change Induced by Vertically Deployed Surface Acoustic Waves in a Human Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cell Line (hCMEC/D3) Monolayer

Objective: The ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening with microbubbles has been widely employed, while recent studies also indicate the possibility that ultrasound alone can open the BBB through a direct mechanical effect. However, the exact mechanisms through which ultrasound interacts with the BBB and whether it can directly trigger intracellular signaling and a permeability change in the BBB endothelium remain unclear. Methods: Vertically deployed surface acoustic waves (VD-SAWs) were applied on a human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) monolayer using a 33-MHz interdigital transducer that exerts shear stress -pre-dominant stimulation. The intracellular calcium response was measured by fluorescence imaging, and the perme-ability of the hCMEC/D3 monolayer was assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER).Discussion: At a certain intensity threshold, VD-SAWs induced an intracellular calcium surge that propagated to adjacent cells as intercellular calcium waves. VD-SAWs induced a TEER decrease in a pulse repetition frequency -dependent manner, thereby suggesting possible involvement of the mechanosensitive ion channels. Conclusion: The unique VD-SAW system enables more physiological mechanical stimulation of the endothelium monolayer. Moreover, it can be easily combined with other measurement devices, providing a useful platform for further mechanistic studies on ultrasound-mediated BBB opening.

Automated summary

In this study, a unique VD-SAW system was used to apply vertically deployed surface acoustic waves (VD-SAWs) on human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells to investigate the interaction mechanisms between ultrasound and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The results showed that VD-SAWs induced intracellular calcium surge and intercellular calcium waves, and the permeability of the BBB decreased with increasing pulse repetition frequency, possibly involving mechanosensitive ion channels. This study provides a useful platform for further mechanistic studies on ultrasound-mediated BBB opening.