2. Academic Validation
  3. Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Dynamically Modulates the Migration of BV2 Microglia

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Dynamically Modulates the Migration of BV2 Microglia

  • Ultrasound Med Biol. 2025 Mar;51(3):494-507. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.11.010.
Dandan Li 1,  Yu Yong 1,  Chaofeng Qiao 2,  Hao Jiang 1,  Jiawei Lin 1,  Jianpeng Wei 1,  Yufeng Zhou 3,  Fenfang Li 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
  • 2 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin City, China.
  • 3 Chongqing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing City, China.
  • 4 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: fenfang.li@szbl.ac.cn.
PMID: 39632209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.11.010
Abstract

Objective: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a promising modality for neuromodulation. Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain and their mobility is critical for maintaining brain homeostasis and alleviating neuroimmune pathologies. However, it is unclear whether and how LIPUS modulates microglial migration in physiological conditions.

Methods: Here we examined the in vitro effects of LIPUS on the mobility of BV2 microglia by live cell imaging. Single-cell tracing of BV2 microglia migration was analyzed using ImageJ and Chemotaxis and Migration Tool software. Pharmacological manipulation was performed to determine the key molecular players involved in regulating ultrasound-dependent microglia migration.

Results: We found that the distance of microglial migration was enhanced by LIPUS with increasing acoustic pressure. Removing the extracellular CA2+ influx or depletion of intracellular CA2+ stores suppressed ultrasound-enhanced BV2 migration. Furthermore, we found that blocking the reorganization of actin, or suppressing purinergic signaling by application of apyrase or hemi-channel inhibitors, both diminished ultrasound-induced BV2 migration. LIPUS stimulation also enhanced microglial migration in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory environment.

Conclusion: LIPUS promoted microglia migration in both physiological and inflammatory environments. Calcium, Cytoskeleton, and purinergic signaling were involved in regulating ultrasound-dependent microglial mobility. Our study reveals the biomechanical impact of ultrasound on microglial migration and highlights the potential of using ultrasound-based tools for modulation of microglial function.

Keywords

Calcium signaling; Cell migration; LPS; Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound; Microglia; Purinergic signaling.

Figures
Products