# Echogenic Targeted Liposomes: Transfection/Drug Delivery

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2021 · $658,867

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Traditional means to identify and treat arterial disease are hampered by their inability to direct therapeutics
to local atheroma components. Novel targeted acoustic delivery agents (liposomes) with novel ultrasound
delivery methodologies may overcome these problems.
 Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles enclosing an aqueous space. We have developed a unique
methodology that, by process and composition, makes these liposomes echogenic. This formulation allows
modification for antibody conjugation and therapeutic (drug/bioactive gas) incorporation. Work by our group has
demonstrated that these formulations can incorporate and deliver therapeutics to cells, while retaining their
echogenic properties. The latter is important as the addition of therapeutic ultrasound has a unique effect on
these echogenic liposomes by increasing cellular delivery.
 Our principal aim is to develop a model carrier and a technique that has the ability to incorporate a therapeutic
with delivery to a target structure while retaining the therapeutic’s effects.
 We have: a) developed robust therapeutic echogenic immunoliposomes (ELIP); b) developed ultrasound
parameters for therapeutic delivery of loaded ELIP and c) determined the efficacy of our therapeutic ELIP in
slowing/stabilizing atheroma progression.
 We will now translate our discoveries for use in unstable atheroma and translate them into the clinical setting.
We will develop a novel ultrasound methodology for therapeutic delivery into the coronary arterial beds. We will
evaluate our therapeutic-loaded carriers with ultrasound activation in vivo and translate our optimal strategy into
the clinical setting.
 Development of these agents and techniques would have far reaching implications for the treatment of
chronic high risk atherosclerosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10144015
- **Project number:** 5R01HL135092-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** David D McPherson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $658,867
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10144015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10144015, Echogenic Targeted Liposomes: Transfection/Drug Delivery (5R01HL135092-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10144015. Licensed CC0.

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