64Cu radiolabeled nanomaterials for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

The prevalence of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has advanced biomedical applications for its ultrahigh sensitivity, deep tissue penetration and quantitative visualization of diseases in vivo. ⁶⁴Cu with ideal half-life and decay characteristics has been designed as radioactive probes for disease diagnosis. The currently reported ⁶⁴Cu-labeled nanomaterials have the advantages of long circulation time in serum, good biocompatibility and mature preparation methods, and have been used in vivo PET imaging, biodistribution and pharmacokinetic monitoring, and imaging guided therapy. At the same time, suitable carrier characteristics and radiolabeling strategies are particularly important in the ⁶⁴Cu PET imaging process. In this review, we summarize different imaging probe designs and ⁶⁴Cu radiolabeling strategies, as well as their eventual applications in biomedicine. The potential challenges and prospects of ⁶⁴Cu labeled nanomaterials are also described, which provides broad prospects for radiolabeling strategies and further applications.     

Copper-62 radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging with positron emission tomography (PET)

Transition Metal Chemistry -     

Binding and photodissociation of CO in iron(II) complexes for application in positron emission tomography (PET) radiolabelling

(R-DAB)FeI(2) complexes containing bidentate diimide ligands (R-DAB = RN=CH-CH=NR; R = (i)Pr, c-C(6)H(11)) have been investigated for their ability to react with carbon monoxide to form iron(II) dicarbonyl complexes, (R-DAB)FeI(2)(CO)(2). Solution IR spectroscopy revealed two νCO stretches between 2000 and 2040 cm(-1) corresponding to a cis-arrangement of the carbonyl ligands around the iron. Photochemical decarbonylation was achieved by UV irradiation (365 nm), which occurred within 5 min as evidenced by solution IR spectroscopy. (c-C(6)H(11)-DAB)FeI(2) has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Reactions using (11)C-labelled carbon monoxide were investigated and revealed that both (R-DAB)FeI(2) species were not effective as trapping complexes due to the low concentrations of [(11)C]CO used in these experiments. A Fe(TPP)(THF)(x) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) complex was investigated with unlabelled CO and the monocarbonyl adduct Fe(TPP)(THF)CO was formed in situ as identified by IR spectroscopy (νCO = 1966 cm(-1)) yet was stable to CO loss upon UV irradiation. Carbonylation reactions of in situ-generated Fe(TPP)(THF)(x) using [(11)C]CO revealed that 97% of the [(11)C]CO stream could be trapped in one pass of the gas at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure.     

18F]-5-Fluoro-5-deoxyribose, an efficient peptide bioconjugation ligand for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

[(18)F]-5-Fluoro-5-deoxyribose ([(18)F]-FDR) conjugates much more rapidly than [(18)F]-FDG under mild reaction conditions to peptides and offers new prospects for mild and rapid bioconjugation for fluorine-18 labelling in PET imaging.     

Synthesis of analogues of (-)-cytisine for in vivo studies of nicotinic receptors using positron emission tomography

[formula: see text] 9-Substituted analogues of (-)-cytisine were synthesized in high yields via palladium-mediated couplings of either 9-(-)-bromocytisine and organostannanes or 9-(-)-trimethylstannylcytisine and fluorobromobenzene. The protection of the amine with a nitroso group and the use of PdCl2(PPh3)2 to carry out the Stille reaction allowed the rapid synthesis of 9-(4'-[18F]fluorophenyl)cytisine (18F: t1/2 = 109.7 min), a new promising radioligand (radiochemical yield: 10% from [18F]KF, 150 min, four steps) for positron emission tomography studies of alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptors.     

Methods for the synthesis of fluorine-18-labeled aromatic amino acids,radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET)

Potential of electrophilic and nucleophilic methods of radiofluorination in the synthesis of fluorine-18-labeled fluorinated amino acid analogs, radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET), is considered. The synthesis of 6-L-[¹⁸F]FDOPA ((S)-2-amino-3-(6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid) was used as an example to discuss new elaborations in this field directed on both the improvement of already existing methods and the development of fundamentally new approaches to the introduction of a fluorine-18 label into the nonactivated aromatic ring of amino acids using nucleophilic methods.     

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo behavior of 188Re(I)-tricarbonyl complexes for the future functionalization of biomolecules

Radiolabeling of biologically active molecules with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ unit has been of primary interest in recent years. Therefore, we herein report ligands L¹−L⁴ (L¹=histidine, L²=nitrilotriacetic acid, L³=2-picolylamine-N,N-diacetic acid, L⁴=bis(2-pyridymethy)amine) that have been evaluated by radiochemical reactions with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺. These reactions yielded the radioactive complexes of fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃L] (L = L¹−L⁴, ¹⁸⁸Re tricarbonyl complexes 1–4), which were identified by HPLC. Complexes 1–4, with log P _o/w values ranging from −2.23 to 2.18, were obtained with yields of ≥95% using ligand concentrations within 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴M range. Thus, specific activities of 220 GBq/μmol could be achieved. Challenge studies with cysteine and histidine revealed high stability for all of these radioactive complexes, and biodistribution studies in mice indicated a fast rate of blood clearance and high rate of total radioactivity excretion occurring primarily through the renal-urinary pathway. In summary, the ligands L¹–L⁴ are potent chelators for the future functionalization of biomolecules labeling with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺.     

Novel gallium(III) complexes transported by MDR1 P-glycoprotein: potential PET imaging agents for probing P-glycoprotein-mediated transport activity in vivo

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by expression of MDR1 P-glycoprotein (Pgp) represents one of the best characterized barriers to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Positron emission tomography (PET) agents for analysis of Pgp-mediated drug transport activity in vivo would enable noninvasive assessment of chemotherapeutic regimens and MDR gene therapy. RESULTS: Candidate Schiff-base phenolic gallium(III) complexes were synthesized from their heptadentate precursors and gallium(III)acetylacetonate. Crystal structures demonstrated a hexacoordinated central gallium with overall trans-pseudo-octahedral geometry. Radiolabeled (67)Ga-complexes were obtained in high purity and screened in drug-sensitive (Pgp(-)) and MDR (Pgp(+)) tumor cells. Compared with control, lead compound 6. demonstrated antagonist-reversible 55-fold lower accumulation in Pgp-expressing MDR cells. Futhermore, compared with wild-type control, quantitative pharmacokinetic analysis showed markedly increased penetration and retention of 6. in brain and liver tissues of mdr1a/b((-/-)) gene disrupted mice, correctly mapping Pgp-mediated transport activity at the capillary blood-brain barrier and hepatocellular biliary cannalicular surface in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that gallium(III) complex 6. is recognized by MDR1 Pgp as an avid transport substrate, thereby providing a useful scaffold to generate (68)Ga radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging of Pgp transport activity in tumors and tissues in vivo using PET.     

Positron emission tomography (PET) of radiotracer uptake and distribution in living plants: methodological aspects

The use of radioisotopes as tracers in biology was pioneered in 1923 by Hevesy in the study of the uptake and distribution of lead in the bean plant. This seminal work has spawned applications of nuclear analytical methods in the life sciences. In medicine, nuclear imaging has become a standard part of patient care. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that allows assessment of biochemical processes in vivo, to diagnose and stage diseases and monitor their treatment. Going full circle to Hevesy’s original biological study, PET imaging can be applied to the assessment of radiotracer uptake and distribution in living plants non-invasively. In order to apply PET imaging to the study of plants, several methodological aspects were examined in this study with the goal of establishing protocols that would be useful to investigators with access to commercial small animal PET scanners. The methodological aspects examined in this study included (a) the selection of suitable plant models, (b) standardization of scanning strategies such as PET tracer “injection” into plants and (c) imaging protocols to optimize detection of annihilation gammas.     

Modulating spin dynamics of cyclic LnIII-radical complexes (LnIII = Tb, Dy) by using phenyltrifluoroacetylacetonate coligand

Three novel ring-like compounds formulated as [Ln(Phtfac)(3)(NITpPy)](2) (Ln(III) = Gd 1, Tb 2, Dy 3; HPhtfac = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione; NITpPy = 2-(4-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide) were synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Three compounds possess cyclic dimer structure in which each pyridine substituted radical links two different metal ions through the oxygen of nitroxide group and the pyridine nitrogen. DC magnetic studies show the Ln(III) ion interacts ferromagnetically with the directly bonding nitronyl nitroxide. Both Tb(III) and Dy(III) clusters show frequency-dependent ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating single-molecule magnet behavior. It is demonstrated that the β-diketonate coligand may play an important role in determining the magnetic relaxation for the lanthanide-radical system.     

Synthesis of 7alpha-(fluoromethyl)dihydrotestosterone and 7alpha-(fluoromethyl)nortestosterone, structurally paired androgens designed to probe the role of sex hormone binding globulin in imaging androgen receptors in prostate tumors by positron emission tomography

Although prostate cancer growth is regulated by androgens through the androgen receptor (AR), in vitro assays of AR levels in prostate tumors have limited prognostic value. This might be improved by direct measurement of tumor AR in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with fluorine-18-labeled androgens. Most AR PET imaging agents have been designed to limit steroid binding to serum proteins, but there is evidence that binding to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) might enhance tumor uptake. To probe the role of SHBG in prostate tumor uptake of PET imaging agents, we have synthesized two fluoro steroids, 7alpha-(fluoromethyl)dihydrotestosterone (7alpha-FM-DHT) and 7alpha-(fluoromethyl)nortestosterone (7alpha-FM-norT), by a route amenable to their labeling with [18F]fluoride ion. Both compounds have high affinity for AR, but 7alpha-FM-norT has much lower affinity for SHBG. Thus, these two fluoro steroids are well matched in terms of their site of fluorine labeling, similarity of structure, and equivalent AR binding affinity-but contrasting SHBG binding-and therefore can be used as agents for evaluating the role of SHBG binding in the target tissue uptake of AR PET imaging agents in humans.     

Radiosynthesis of 10-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)-20(S)-camptothecin as a potential positron emission tomography tracer for the imaging of topoisomerase I in cancers

The preparation of 10-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethoxy)-20(S)-camptothecin, a potential positron emission tomography tracer for the imaging of topoisomerase I in cancers, is described. 10-(2-[¹⁸F]Fluoroethoxy)-20(S)-camptothecin was synthesized by the [¹⁸F]fluoroalkylation of the corresponding hydroxy precursor molecule with 2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl bromide ([¹⁸F]FEtBr) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at 55 °C for 20 min; this was followed by purification using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a total preparation time of 60 min. The overall radiochemical yield was approximately 5.4–12 % (uncorrected), and the radiochemical purity was above 96 %.     

Synthesis,photophysical and electrochemical properties,and biological labeling studies of cyclometalated iridium(III) bis(pyridylbenzaldehyde) complexes: novel luminescent cross-linkers for biomolecules

We report the synthesis, characterization, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of a series of luminescent cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes containing two aldehyde functional groups [Ir(pba)(2)(N-N)](PF(6)) (Hpba=4-(2-pyridyl)benzaldehyde; N-N=2,2'-bipyridine, bpy (1), 1,10-phenanthroline, phen (2), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 3,4,7,8-Me(4)-phen (3), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-Ph(2)-phen (4)). The X-ray crystal structure of complex 1 has been investigated. Upon photoexcitation, complexes 1-4 exhibit intense and long-lived emission in fluid solutions at 298 K and in low-temperature glass. The luminescence is assigned to a triplet intra-ligand ((3)IL) excited state associated with the pba(-) ligand, probably with mixing of some triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) (dpi(Ir)-->pi*(pba(-))) character. Since each of these complexes possesses two aldehyde groups, which can react with the primary amine groups of biomolecules to form stable secondary amines after reductive amination, we have investigated the possibility of these complexes as novel luminescent cross-linkers for biological substrates. L-Alanine has been labeled with complexes 1-4 to give the luminescent bioconjugates 1-(Ala)(2)-4-(Ala)(2). These conjugates show strong photoluminescence with long emission lifetimes under ambient conditions. On the basis of the emission energy trend, the excited state of these luminescent bioconjugates is likely to bear a high parentage of (3)MLCT (dpi(Ir)-->pi*(N-N)) character. In addition, the glycoprotein avidin (Av) has also been conjugated with complexes 1-4 to give the bioconjugates 1-Av-4-Av. Upon photoexcitation, these bioconjugates also display intense and long-lived (3)MLCT (dpi(Ir)-->pi*(N-N)) emission in aqueous buffer at 298 K. Furthermore, a heterogeneous competitive assay for biotin has been developed using 2-Av and biotinylated microspheres. We have shown that complexes 1-4 represent a new class of multicolor luminescent cross-linkers for biomolecular species.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of iodinated derivatives of piperazine as a new ligand for sigma receptor imaging by single photon emission computed tomography

A new series of radioiodinated analogues of 1-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (SA4503) was synthesized and evaluated as a potential brain sigma-1 receptor imaging ligands by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Iodinated analogues of SA4503 (4a-c) were prepared from piperazine in a high yield. The in vitro competition binding studies using [3H] DTG (sigma-1, 2), [3H] (+)-pentazocine (sigma-1), and [3H] DTG in the presence of carbetapentane (sigma-2) as sigma receptor selective radioligands were revealed that iodinated analogues 4a-c possess high affinities to sigma receptors (IC50: 4a=7.1, 4b=31.0, and 4c=77.3 nM). In particular, the affinity of 4a, bearing iodine at ortho position on the phenyl ring, was 4.4 times greater than SA4503, and 3 times greater than that of haloperidol. The meta-iodo analogue 4b was the same to SA4503, the lead compound. The radioiodinated derivatives, [125I] 4a, 4b were synthesized no-carrier-added from the corresponding tributyltin precursors by the iododestannylation reaction with high yields. The binding of [125I] 4a, 4b have been characterized in the rat brain membranes. These compounds were indicated single population binding to sigma receptor with high affinity (4a: Kd=1.86+/-0.34 nM, Bmax=205+/-28.9 fmol/mg protein, 4b: Kd=3.30+/-0.51 nM, Bmax=231.5+/-13.8 fmol/mg protein). In vitro blocking studies were confirmed that the high specificity of 4a, 4b. These results suggest that radioiodinated 4a and 4b are promising sigma receptors imaging ligand for pursuing further in vivo studies.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of new half-sandwich zirconium(IV) complexes

A number of new half-sandwich zirconium(IV) complexes bearing N,N-dimethylaniline-amido ligands with the general formula Cp*ZrCl(2)[ortho-(RNCH(2))(Me(2)N)C(6)H(4)] [R = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (1), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (2), (i)Pr (3), (t)Bu (4)] were synthesized by the reaction of Cp*ZrCl(3) with the corresponding ortho-(Me(2)N)C(6)H(4)CH(2)NRLi. All new zirconium complexes were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, elemental analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structural analysis reveals that the NMe(2) group does not coordinate to the zirconium atom in all cases. Complexes 1-4 all have a pseudo-tetrahedral coordination environment in their solid state structures and adopt a three-legged piano stool geometry for the zirconium atoms with the amide N atom and the two Cl atoms being the three legs and the Cp* ring being the seat. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments for all complexes 1-4 were performed to investigate the possible intramolecular interaction between the N atom in the NMe(2) group and the central zirconium atom in solution. Upon activation with Al(i)Bu(3) and Ph(3)CB(C(6)F(5))(4), complexes 1-4 all exhibit moderate to good catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing linear polyethylene or poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weight and reasonable 1-hexene incorporation.     

In vivo application of intestinal pH measurement using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence imaging

Measurement of gastrointestinal intramucosal pH (pHim) has been recognized as an important factor in the detection of hypoxia-induced dysfunctions. However, current pH measurement techniques are limited in terms of time and spatial resolutions. A major advance in accurate pH measurement was the development of the ratiometric fluorescent indicator dye, 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). This study aimed to set up and validate a fluorescence imaging technique to measure in vivo the intramucosal pH (pHim) of the intestine. The intestine was inserted into an optical chamber placed under a microscope. Animals were injected intravenously with the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF. Fluorescence was visualized by illuminating the intestine alternately at 490 and 470 nm. The emitted fluorescence was directed to an intensified camera. The ratio of emitted fluorescence at excitation wavelengths of 490 and 470 nm was measured, corrected and converted to pHim by constructing a calibration curve. The pHim controls were performed with a pH microelectrode and were correlated with venous blood gas sampling. Results show that pHim is determined with an accuracy of +/- 0.07 pH units and a response time of 1 min. In conclusion pHim mapping of rat intestine can be obtained by fluorescence imaging using BCECF. This technology could be easily adapted for endoscopic pH measurements.     

Dual room-temperature fluorescent and phosphorescent emission in 8-quinolinolate osmium(II) carbonyl complexes: rationalization and generalization of intersystem crossing dynamics

A new series of quinolinolate osmium carbonyl complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that these complexes consist of an octahedral ligand arrangement with one chelating quinolinolate, one tfa or halide ligand, and three mutually orthogonal terminal CO ligands. Variation of the substituents on quinolinolate ligands imposes obvious electronic or structural effects, while changing the tfa ligand to an electron-donating iodide slightly increases the charge density on the central osmium atom. These Os(II) complexes show salient dual emissions consisting of fluorescence and phosphorescence, the spectral properties and relaxation dynamics of which have been studied comprehensively. The results, in combination with the theoretical approaches, lead us to propose that the emission mainly originates from the quinolinolate pi pi* state. Both experimental and theoretical approaches generalize various types of intersystem crossing versus those of the tris(quinolinolate) iridium Ir(Q)3, and their relative efficiencies were accessed on the basis of the associated frontier orbital configurations. Our results suggest that [1d(pi)pi* absolute value(H(so))3 pi pi*] (or [3d(pi)pi* absolute value(H(so))1 pi pi*]) in combination with a smaller deltaE(S1-T1) gap (i.e., increasing the MLCT (d(pi)pi*) character) is the main driving force to induce the ultrafast S1 --> T1 intersystem crossing in the third-row transition metal complexes, giving the strong phosphorescent emission.