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Commentary

Neural immune modulation and immunotherapy assisted by focused ultrasound induced blood-brain barrier opening

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Pages 2682-2687 | Received 22 Jun 2015, Accepted 08 Jul 2015, Published online: 17 Sep 2015
 

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) has long been regarded as an immune-privileged site, with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limiting the entering of systemic immune cells and components. Exposure of low-energy focused ultrasound (FUS) with the presence of microbubbles has been found to provide a temporary and targeted opening of the BBB without inflicting brain damage or inflammation, and is thus an attractive means of delivering CNS therapeutic agents and raising the potential for targeted CNS immunotherapy. Based on our recent studies on enhancing brain-tumor immune-related therapy via this mechanism,Citation1 we summarize current approaches using FUS-induced BBB opening to promote immune regulation and project potential directions for FUS-induced CNS immunotherapy.

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, TAIWAN, through grants 101-2221-E-182-002-MY3, 102-2221-E-182-020-MY3 and 103-2325-B-182A-007; National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN, through grants. NHRI-EX103-10004NI; Chang Gung University, TAIWAN, through grant EMRPD1D0951E; and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, TAIWAN, through grants. CORPD3E0071, CMRPD2A0033, CIRPD2E0051, CMRPD2D0111-3, CMRPG3D1341 and CMRPD2A0033.

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