DNA damage induced by ultrasound and its cellular response

Abstract

Recently, we reported on the occurrence of DNA double-strand breaks in different human cell lines exposed to ultrasound in vitro with some insight into the subsequent DNA damage response and repair pathways. The impact of these observed effects again sways between extremes. It could be advantageous if employed in gene therapy, wound and bone fracture-accelerated healing to promote cell proliferation, or in cancer eradication if the DNA lesions would culminate in cell death. Here, an overview of the rationale for therapeutic ultrasound and the salient knowledge on ultrasound-induced effects on the nucleus and genomic DNA is presented. The implications of the findings are discussed, hopefully to provide guidance to future ultrasound research.