Intravascular space and vascular endothelium at the ultrasound focus

The intravascular space and vascular endothelium at the ultrasound focus represent a physiological site targeted by focused ultrasound (FUS) to enhance localized drug delivery (Hynynen et al., 2001, PubMed). This approach typically involves the systemic administration of microbubbles, which act as acoustic sensitizers within the blood vessels (Coonan et al., 2022, NIH). When ultrasound waves are focused on a specific tissue volume, the microbubbles undergo cavitation, generating mechanical forces such as shear stress and microstreaming against the endothelial wall (Wu et al., 2020, Theranostics). This process leads to the transient and reversible opening of tight junctions or the induction of sonoporation, allowing large therapeutic molecules like chemotherapeutics or antibodies to pass into the interstitial space (Poon et al., 2017, Scientific Reports). While primarily used to bypass the blood-brain barrier in treating glioblastoma or Alzheimer's disease, it is also explored for targeted delivery in peripheral tumors (Abrahao et al., 2019, Nature Communications). Safety monitoring is critical, as excessive acoustic energy can lead to microhemorrhages or inflammatory responses (McDannold et al., 2012, PubMed).

Other names

Blood-brain barrier at the ultrasound focusFUS-targeted endotheliumSonoporation siteUltrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) siteAcoustically targeted vasculature

Mechanical disruption of endothelial tight junctions and induction of sonoporation via microbubble cavitation (stable or inertial) triggered by focused ultrasound energy (Hynynen et al., 2001, PubMed).