Cell size relations for sonolysis.

The occurrence of cell lysis following exposure to ultrasound (US) has been well documented; the specifics of the mechanistic process(es) involved have proven to be difficult to characterize. There appear to be two major mechanisms of US-induced cell lysis in vitro, acoustic cavitation and bubble transport. Both involve shear forces. Earlier research showed that the size of oil droplets was a crucial factor in their rupture by shear forces; the greater the size the greater the rupture per unit shear force. Here we find further support (Miller et al. 2000, 2001a, 2003a; Miller and Battaglia 2003; Abramwocz et al. 2003) that, under a number of experimental US conditions causing hemolysis in vitro, cell volume (i.e., size) is an apparently critical factor.