Synthesis and Evaluation of GdIII‐Based Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is advantageous because it concurrently provides anatomic, functional, and molecular information. MR molecular imaging can combine the high spatial resolution of this established clinical modality with molecular profiling in vivo. However, as a result of the intrinsically low sensitivity of MR imaging, high local concentrations of biological targets are required to generate discernable MR contrast. We hypothesize that the prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an attractive target for imaging and therapy of prostate cancer, could serve as a suitable biomarker for MR‐based molecular imaging. We have synthesized three new high‐affinity, low‐molecular‐weight Gd^III‐based PSMA‐targeted contrast agents containing one to three Gd^III chelates per molecule. We evaluated the relaxometric properties of these agents in solution, in prostate cancer cells, and in an in vivo experimental model to demonstrate the feasibility of PSMA‐based MR molecular imaging.     

New Calcium‐Selective Smart Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Calcium plays a vital role in the human body and especially in the central nervous system. Precise maintenance of Ca²⁺ levels is very crucial for normal cell physiology and health. The deregulation of calcium homeostasis can lead to neuronal cell death and brain damage. To study this functional role played by Ca²⁺ in the brain noninvasively by using magnetic resonance imaging, we have synthesized a new set of Ca²⁺‐sensitive smart contrast agents (CAs). The agents were found to be highly selective to Ca²⁺ in the presence of other competitive anions and cations in buffer and in physiological fluids. The structure of CAs comprises Gd³⁺‐DO3A (DO3A=1,4,7‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane) coupled to a Ca²⁺ chelator o‐amino phenol‐N,N,O‐triacetate (APTRA). The agents are designed to sense Ca²⁺ present in extracellular fluid of the brain where its concentration is relatively high, that is, 1.2–0.8 mM . The determined dissociation constant of the CAs to Ca²⁺ falls in the range required to sense and report changes in extracellular Ca²⁺ levels followed by an increase in neural activity. In buffer, with the addition of Ca²⁺ the increase in relaxivity ranged from 100–157 %, the highest ever known for any T₁‐based Ca²⁺‐sensitive smart CA. The CAs were analyzed extensively by the measurement of luminescence lifetime measurement on Tb³⁺ analogues, nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD), and ¹⁷O NMR transverse relaxation and shift experiments. The results obtained confirmed that the large relaxivity enhancement observed upon Ca²⁺ addition is due to the increase of the hydration state of the complexes together with the slowing down of the molecular rotation and the retention of a significant contribution of the water molecules of the second sphere of hydration.     

以阿拉伯半乳聚糖为载体的磁共振成像造影剂的研究

合成了阿拉伯半乳聚糖修饰的DTPA钆配合物,用红外光谱、元素分析、ICP-AES等手段进行了表征,用竞争性方法研究了其在水溶液中的稳定性,测试了其在水中及BSA溶液中的弛豫性能,并进行了体内成像实验.结果表明,其弛豫效率是目前临床所用造影剂Gd-DTPA的1.5～2.0倍,对肝脏和肾脏MRI信号具有良好的增强效果,是比较好的潜在磁共振成像造影剂.     

Synthesis and Properties of a Biodegradable Dendritic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent

Novel biodegradable dendritic contrast agents (DCAs) based on polyester dendrimers were synthesized and characterized.The DCAs were stable at acidic pH,but hydrolyzed rapidly at physiological pH,which rendered the DCA's long-term Gd3+ retention as low as that of small molecule CAs.Their longitudinal relaxivities of 10.2 to 17.5 L·mmol-1·s-1 were about 2.4 to 4.1 times higher than that of DTPA-Gd,indicating their superior contrast-enhancing capability to the clinically used contrast agent.The in vivo MRI study suggested that the DCA at lower generation (G2-DTPA-Gd) could effectively enhance the MRI of tumor,while the one at higher generation (G5-DTPA-Gd) showed more potential in liver imaging.     

新型生物相容性大分子磁共振成像造影剂的性质研究

将天冬氨酸与亮氨酸反应,合成了天冬氨酸-亮氨酸共聚物(PL),通过乙二胺将钆-1,4,7,10-四氮杂环十二烷-1,4,7,10-四乙酸(Gd-DOTA)连接到PL上,制备了大分子磁共振成像造影剂PL-A2-DOTA-Gd,通过核磁碳谱、凝胶色谱等方法对其结构进行了表征,利用细胞毒性实验、溶血性实验、体外弛豫效率测定以及体内动物磁共振成像等方法对其性能进行了评估。研究表明,PL-A2-DOTA-Gd的细胞毒性远低于临床应用的造影剂Gd-DOTA,且其弛豫效率(15.3 L/(mmol·s))是Gd-DOTA(5.8 L/(mmol·s))的2.6倍。大分子磁共振成像造影剂PL-A2-DOTA-Gd具有良好的血液相容性,对昆明小鼠的肝脏信号的增强效果约为Gd-DOTA的3.1倍,且能在较长时间内保持良好稳定的增强效果。     

温度和pH敏感高分子含钆核磁共振成像造影剂的合成及性能

以N-异丙基丙烯酰胺为温度敏感单体,以甲基丙烯酸为p H敏感单体,与三丙烯酸菲洛啉钆进行无皂乳液聚合,一步合成了具有温度和pH敏感的高分子含钆核磁共振成像(MRI)造影剂(TPRPP).动态光散射测试结果表明,TPRPP的粒径随温度或p H值的变化而发生较大的改变.体外MRI测试结果表明,TPRPP的横向弛豫时间(T_1)的加权弛豫率约为11.3 L/(mmol·s),为临床造影剂Magnevist~的2.6倍.体内MRI结果表明,TPRPP在肝和脾中具有明显的正增强效果.研究结果表明,TPRPP是一种优异的多功能MRI造影剂,具有极大的临床研究价值.     

Cleaved Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as T2 Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast agents are reported to effectively improve magnetic resonance imaging of tissues and cells. In this work, cleaved iron oxide nanoparticles (CIONPs) were generated from hydrophobic FeO nanoparticles (HIONPs) by coating their surfaces with PEG‐phospholipids, oxidizing them under water, and slowly removing the residual FeO phase in phthalate buffer. The synthesized CIONPs showed good r₂ values of up to 258 s^?1 mM ^?1. Thus, the CIONPs can be employed as vectors for drug delivery due to their unique structure with an empty inner space, which enables their use in a wide range of applications.     

Magneto‐Plasmonic Janus Vesicles for Magnetic Field‐Enhanced Photoacoustic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors

Magneto‐plasmonic Janus vesicles (JVs) integrated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and magnetic NPs (MNPs) were prepared asymmetrically in the membrane for in vivo cancer imaging. The hybrid JVs were produced by coassembling a mixture of hydrophobic MNPs, free amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs), and AuNPs tethered with amphiphilic BCPs. Depending on the size and content of NPs, the JVs acquired spherical or hemispherical shapes. Among them, hemispherical JVs containing 50 nm AuNPs and 15 nm MNPs showed a strong absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) window and enhanced the transverse relaxation (T₂) contrast effect, as a result of the ordering and dense packing of AuNPs and MNPs in the membrane. The magneto‐plasmonic JVs were used as drug delivery vehicles, from which the release of a payload can be triggered by NIR light and the release rate can be modulated by a magnetic field. Moreover, the JVs were applied as imaging agents for in vivo bimodal photoacoustic (PA) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of tumors by intravenous injection. With an external magnetic field, the accumulation of the JVs in tumors was significantly increased, leading to a signal enhancement of approximately 2–3 times in the PA and MR imaging, compared with control groups without a magnetic field.     

All‐in‐One Target‐Cell‐Specific Magnetic Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Molecular Imaging and siRNA Delivery

Cancer‐cell‐targeted gene silencing was observed with a magnetic‐nanoparticle platform (MEIO, magnetism‐engineered iron oxide) on which a fluorescent dye, siRNA, and a RGD‐peptide targeting moiety were attached (see picture). The different functionalities enable the macroscopic (magnetic resonance) and microscopic (fluorescence) imaging of target cells. This system may be suitable for concurrent diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

     

基于N-羧甲基壳聚糖钆基磁共振造影剂的制备及性能

文通过在DTPA配体上修饰N-羧甲基壳聚糖（NCMCS）增加配体的分子量,构建配合物Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）.测定了Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）及对照组Gd-DTPA与Gd-（DTPA-CS）不同浓度的弛豫时间T₁,拟合了配合物的纵向弛豫率r₁,结果表明Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）纵向弛豫能力明显强于Gd-DTPA,也高于配合物Gd-（DTPA-CS）,浓度梯度的体外加权成像图清晰地观察到配合物Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）比Gd-DTPA、Gd-（DTPA-CS）对应水溶液的信号更强。MTT法测定了Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）的IC₅₀值为568 μmol·L^-1,表现出良好的生物相容性。Gd-（DTPA-NCMCS）可作为潜在的磁共振造影剂。     

Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy Using Polyfunctionalised Nanoparticles Bearing Robust Gadolinium Surface Units

A robust dithiocarbamate tether allows novel gadolinium units based on DOTAGA (q=1) to be attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (2.6–4.1 nm diameter) along with functional units offering biocompatibility, targeting and photodynamic therapy. A dramatic increase in relaxivity (r₁) per Gd unit from 5.01 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹ in unbound form to 31.68 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (10 MHz, 37 °C) is observed when immobilised on the surface due to restricted rotation and enhanced rigidity of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface. The single-step synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing multifunctional gold nanoparticles, including examples with conjugated zinc–tetraphenylporphyrin photosensitizers. The lack of toxicity of these materials (MTT assays) is transformed on irradiation of HeLa cells for 30 minutes (PDT), leading to 75 % cell death. In addition to passive targeting, the inclusion of units capable of actively targeting overexpressed folate receptors illustrates the potential of these assemblies as targeted theranostic agents.     

Organic Nanoprobes for Fluorescence and 19F Magnetic Resonance Dual‐Modality Imaging

Multimodal imaging techniques have been demonstrated to be greatly advantageous in achieving accurate diagnosis and gained increasing attention in recent decades. Herein, we present a new strategy to integrate the complementary modalities of ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F MRI) and fluorescence imaging (FI) into a polymer nanoprobe composed of hydrophobic fluorescent organic core and hydrophilic fluorinated polymer shell. The alkyne‐terminated fluorinated copolymer (Pn) of 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA) was first prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The PEGA plays an important role in both improving ¹⁹F signal and modulating the hydrophilicity of Pn. The alkynyl tail in Pn is readily conjugated with azide modified tetra‐phenylethylene (TPE) through click chemistry to form azo polymer (TPE‐azo‐Pn). The core‐shell nanoprobes (TPE‐P3N) with an average particle size of 57.2 ± 8.8 nm are obtained via self‐assembly with ultrasonication in aqueous solution. These nanoprobes demonstrate high water stability, good biocompatibility, strong fluorescence and good ¹⁹F MRI performance, which present great potentials for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and ¹⁹F–MR imaging.     

A EuII‐Containing Cryptate as a Redox Sensor in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Living Tissue

The Eu^II ion rivals Gd^III in its ability to enhance contrast in magnetic resonance imaging. However, all reported Eu^II‐based complexes have been studied in vitro largely because the tendency of Eu^II to oxidize to Eu^III has been viewed as a major obstacle to in vivo imaging. Herein, we present solid‐ and solution‐phase characterization of a Eu^II‐containing cryptate and the first in vivo use of Eu^II to provide contrast enhancement. The results indicate that between one and two water molecules are coordinated to the Eu^II core upon dissolution. We also demonstrate that Eu^II‐based contrast enhancement can be observed for hours in a mouse.     

动脉粥样硬化造影剂PGMA-EDA-g-PEG-g-DS@IO的合成及性能

利用乙二胺(EDA)对聚甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(PGMA)进行开环反应, 制备了侧链多氨基聚合物PGMA-EDA; 再利用聚乙二醇(PEG-COOH)和硫酸葡聚糖钠盐(DS)分别对PGMA-EDA上氨基进行酰胺化反应和还原胺化反应, 制备含动脉粥样硬化斑块靶向分子DS的双亲性接枝共聚物PGMA-EDA-g-PEG-g-DS. 通过核磁共振(¹H NMR)谱和红外光谱(FTIR)表征了聚合物的结构. 利用凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)表征了聚合物的数均分子量M_n=16255, 多分散性指数PDI=1.54. 采用配体交换法, 利用该聚合物对油胺配体超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒子进行修饰, 制备了水溶性氧化铁纳米粒子PGMA-EDA-g-PEG-g-DS@IO. 通过透射电镜(TEM)和动态光散射(DLS)表征了纳米粒子的形貌和粒度, 采用热重分析(TGA)和振动样品磁强(VSM)仪表征了纳米粒子的包覆率和磁强度. 采用细胞计数试剂盒(CCK)测定了纳米粒子的细胞毒性, 结果表明, 水溶性纳米粒子的生物相容性较好, 可作为动脉粥样硬化斑块的特异性磁共振检测用造影剂.