Study on Injury of the Cytoskeleton and Cytomembrane in Endothelial Cells Induced by Ultrasound

Low-frequency ultrasound can be applied intravascularly for thrombosis or drug delivery in clinical and experimental studies. However, it is still unclear the biological effects of ultrasound on blood vessels, especially endothelial cells (ECs). The laws of endothelial cytoskeleton changes under ultrasound induction are investigated in this study. ECs are treated with low-frequency ultrasound, and cytoskeletal morphology is analyzed by staining F-Actin. We further analyze the changes of cytoskeleton and cell membrane. Finally, the biological effects induced by ultrasound at the tissue level are studied in an ex vivo blood-vessel model. Significant changes in cell membrane and cytoskeletal structure are detected after ultrasound induction, including cytoskeletal rupture and blebbing. A time threshold of ECs injury is established under different ultrasound intensities. This study illustrates a pattern of significant changes in the structure of ECs induced by ultrasound, which provides a reference for the selection of a safe threshold for ultrasound.