The Principles and Promising Future of Sonogenetics for Precision Medicine

Overview

Journal Theranostics

Date 2024 Sep 6

PMID 39239514

Authors

Pengying Wu

Zhaoyou Liu

Wenxin Tao

Yubo Lai

Guodong Yang

Lijun Yuan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Sonogenetics is an emerging medical technology that uses acoustic waves to control cells through sonosensitive mediators (SSMs) that are genetically encoded, thus remotely and non-invasively modulating specific molecular events and/or biomolecular functions. Sonogenetics has opened new opportunities for targeted spatiotemporal manipulation in the field of gene and cell-based therapies due to its inherent advantages, such as its noninvasive nature, high level of safety, and deep tissue penetration. Sonogenetics holds impressive potential in a wide range of applications, from tumor immunotherapy and mitigation of Parkinsonian symptoms to the modulation of neural reward pathway, and restoration of vision. This review provides a detailed overview of the mechanisms and classifications of established sonogenetics systems and summarizes their applications in disease treatment and management. The review concludes by highlighting the challenges that hinder the further progress of sonogenetics, paving the way for future advances.

Citing Articles

Theoretical analysis of low-power deep synergistic sono-optogenetic excitation of neurons by co-expressing light-sensitive and mechano-sensitive ion-channels.

Roy S, Pyari G, Bansal H Commun Biol. 2025; 8(1):379.

PMID: 40050670 PMC: 11885482. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-07792-8.

References

Heureaux J, Chen D, Murray V, Deng C, Liu A . Activation of a bacterial mechanosensitive channel in mammalian cells by cytoskeletal stress. Cell Mol Bioeng. 2015; 7(3):307-319. PMC: 4297646. DOI: 10.1007/s12195-014-0337-8. View

Zhu J, Xian Q, Hou X, Wong K, Zhu T, Chen Z . The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 contributes to ultrasound neuromodulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023; 120(18):e2300291120. PMC: 10161134. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300291120. View

Hahmann J, Ishaqat A, Lammers T, Herrmann A . Sonogenetics for Monitoring and Modulating Biomolecular Function by Ultrasound. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2024; 63(13):e202317112. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317112. View

Vasan A, Orosco J, Magaram U, Duque M, Weiss C, Tufail Y . Ultrasound Mediated Cellular Deflection Results in Cellular Depolarization. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2021; 9(2):e2101950. PMC: 8805560. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101950. View

Stanley S, Gagner J, Damanpour S, Yoshida M, Dordick J, Friedman J . Radio-wave heating of iron oxide nanoparticles can regulate plasma glucose in mice. Science. 2012; 336(6081):604-8. PMC: 3646550. DOI: 10.1126/science.1216753. View

Liu W, Liu S, Li P, Yao K . Retinitis Pigmentosa: Progress in Molecular Pathology and Biotherapeutical Strategies. Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(9). PMC: 9101511. DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094883. View

Dang L, Bettegowda C, Huso D, Kinzler K, Vogelstein B . Combination bacteriolytic therapy for the treatment of experimental tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001; 98(26):15155-60. PMC: 64999. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.251543698. View

Sirsi S, Borden M . State-of-the-art materials for ultrasound-triggered drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014; 72:3-14. PMC: 4041842. DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2013.12.010. View

Wang W, Tang K, Pyatnitskiy I, Liu X, Shi X, Huo D . Ultrasound-Induced Cascade Amplification in a Mechanoluminescent Nanotransducer for Enhanced Sono-Optogenetic Deep Brain Stimulation. ACS Nano. 2023; 17(24):24936-24946. PMC: 10932741. DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06577. View

10.

Wang H, Phan T, Kao C, Yeh C, Lin Y . Genetically encoded mediators for sonogenetics and their applications in neuromodulation. Front Cell Neurosci. 2024; 17:1326279. PMC: 10766825. DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1326279. View

11.

Samanta A, Hughes T, Moiseenkova-Bell V . Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels. Subcell Biochem. 2018; 87:141-165. PMC: 6038138. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7757-9_6. View

12.

Voellmy R, Zurcher O, Zurcher M, de Viragh P, Hall A, Roberts S . Targeted heat activation of HSP promoters in the skin of mammalian animals and humans. Cell Stress Chaperones. 2018; 23(4):455-466. PMC: 6045553. DOI: 10.1007/s12192-018-0875-4. View

13.

Chen S, Nazeri A, Baek H, Ye D, Yang Y, Yuan J . A review of bioeffects induced by focused ultrasound combined with microbubbles on the neurovascular unit. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2021; 42(1):3-26. PMC: 8721781. DOI: 10.1177/0271678X211046129. View

14.

De Maio A, Alfieri G, Mattone M, Ghanouni P, Napoli A . High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Tumor Ablation: A Review of Current Applications. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2023; 6(1):e230074. PMC: 10825716. DOI: 10.1148/rycan.230074. View

15.

Ter Haar G . Ultrasound bioeffects and safety. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2010; 224(2):363-73. DOI: 10.1243/09544119JEIM613. View

16.

Tyler W, Tufail Y, Finsterwald M, Tauchmann M, Olson E, Majestic C . Remote excitation of neuronal circuits using low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound. PLoS One. 2008; 3(10):e3511. PMC: 2568804. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003511. View

17.

Hanahan D, Weinberg R . Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell. 2011; 144(5):646-74. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.02.013. View

18.

Wu J, Li R . Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction in gene therapy: A new tool to cure human diseases. Genes Dis. 2018; 4(2):64-74. PMC: 6136600. DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2016.08.001. View

19.

Wu D, Baresch D, Cook C, Ma Z, Duan M, Malounda D . Biomolecular actuators for genetically selective acoustic manipulation of cells. Sci Adv. 2023; 9(8):eadd9186. PMC: 9946353. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add9186. View

20.

Huang Y, Fan C, Hsu N, Chiu N, Wu C, Chang C . Sonogenetic Modulation of Cellular Activities Using an Engineered Auditory-Sensing Protein. Nano Lett. 2019; 20(2):1089-1100. DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04373. View