Effect of Surface Charge Modification on the Imaging Performance of Targeted Microbubbles

The shell materials of microbubbles play a crucial role in their performance, especially for functionalized microbubbles such as targeted microbubbles, where shell design must meet specific imaging requirements. Surface charge is a critical feature that significantly influences ultrasound imaging. In this study, we developed three types of targeted microbubbles with positive, neutral, and negative surface charges by adjusting the shell material composition. The aim was to evaluate the impact of surface charge on imaging performance. Our results demonstrate that surface charge affects both contrast enhancement and targeting efficiency. Positively charged microbubbles showed superior binding to negatively charged biological targets, while negatively charged microbubbles exhibited longer circulation times. Neutral microbubbles provided a balanced performance across parameters. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing surface charge for enhancing imaging capabilities. Overall, the preliminary study provides valuable insights for effectively guiding the adjustment of imaging performance of targeted microbubbles through modulation of surface charge.