Live‐cell MRI with Xenon Hyper‐CEST Biosensors Targeted to Metabolically Labeled Cell‐Surface Glycans

The targeting of metabolically labeled glycans with conventional MRI contrast agents has proved elusive. In this work, which further expands the utility of xenon Hyper‐CEST biosensors in cell experiments, we present the first successful molecular imaging of such glycans using MRI. Xenon Hyper‐CEST biosensors are a novel class of MRI contrast agents with very high sensitivity. We designed a multimodal biosensor for both fluorescent and xenon MRI detection that is targeted to metabolically labeled sialic acid through bioorthogonal chemistry. Through the use of a state of the art live‐cell bioreactor, it was demonstrated that xenon MRI biosensors can be used to image cell‐surface glycans at nanomolar concentrations.     

Specific Detection and Imaging of Enzyme Activity by Signal‐Amplifiable Self‐Assembling 19F MRI Probes

Specific turn‐on detection of enzyme activities is of fundamental importance in drug discovery research, as well as medical diagnostics. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful techniques for noninvasive visualization of enzyme activity, both in vivo and ex vivo, promising strategies for imaging specific enzymes with high contrast have been very limited to date. We report herein a novel signal‐amplifiable self‐assembling ¹⁹F NMR/MRI probe for turn‐on detection and imaging of specific enzymatic activity. In NMR spectroscopy, these designed probes are “silent” when aggregated, but exhibit a disassembly driven turn‐on signal change upon cleavage of the substrate part by the catalytic enzyme. Using these ¹⁹F probes, nanomolar levels of two different target enzymes, nitroreductase (NTR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), could be detected and visualized by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and MRI. Furthermore, we have succeeded in imaging the activity of endogenously secreted MMP in cultured media of tumor cells by ¹⁹F MRI, depending on the cell lines and the cellular conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that our turn‐on ¹⁹F probes may serve as a screening platform for the activity of MMPs.     

MRI Thermometry Based on Encapsulated Hyperpolarized Xenon

A new approach to MRI thermometry using encapsulated hyperpolarized xenon is demonstrated. The method is based on the temperature dependent chemical shift of hyperpolarized xenon in a cryptophane‐A cage. This shift is linear with a slope of 0.29 ppm °C^?1 which is perceptibly higher than the shift of the proton resonance frequency of water (ca. 0.01 ppm °C^?1) that is currently used for MRI thermometry. Using spectroscopic imaging techniques, we collected temperature maps of a phantom sample that could discriminate by direct NMR detection between temperature differences of 0.1 °C at a sensor concentration of 150 μM . Alternatively, the xenon‐in‐cage chemical shift was determined by indirect detection using saturation transfer techniques (Hyper‐CEST) that allow detection of nanomolar agent concentrations. Thermometry based on hyperpolarized xenon sensors improves the accuracy of currently available MRI thermometry methods, potentially giving rise to biomedical applications of biosensors functionalized for binding to specific target molecules.     

Rotaxane Probes for the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide by 129Xe HyperCEST NMR Spectroscopy

The development of sensitive and chemically selective MRI contrast agents is imperative for the early detection and diagnosis of many diseases. Conventional responsive contrast agents used in ¹H MRI are impaired by the high abundance of protons in the body. ¹²⁹Xe hyperCEST NMR/MRI comprises a highly sensitive complement to traditional ¹H MRI because of its ability to report specific chemical environments. To date, the scope of responsive ¹²⁹Xe NMR contrast agents lacks breadth in the specific detection of small molecules, which are often important markers of disease. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a rotaxane‐based ¹²⁹Xe hyperCEST NMR contrast agent that can be turned on in response to H₂O₂, which is upregulated in several disease states. Added H₂O₂ was detected by ¹²⁹Xe hyperCEST NMR spectroscopy in the low micromolar range, as well as H₂O₂ produced by HEK 293T cells activated with tumor necrosis factor.     

Studying Intrinsically Disordered Proteins under True In Vivo Conditions by Combined Cross‐Polarization and Carbonyl‐Detection NMR Spectroscopy

Under physiological conditions, studies of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) by conventional NMR methods based on proton detection are severely limited by fast amide‐proton exchange with water. ¹³C detection has been proposed as a solution to the exchange problem, but is hampered by low sensitivity. We propose a new pulse sequence combining proton–nitrogen cross‐polarization and carbonyl detection to record high‐resolution, high‐sensitivity NMR spectra of IDPs under physiological conditions. To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, we recorded a high‐quality N–CO correlation spectrum of α‐synuclein in bacterial cells at 37 °C.     

Coloring ultrasensitive MRI with tunable metal–organic frameworks

As one of the most important imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) still faces relatively low sensitivity to monitor low-abundance molecules. A newly developed technology, hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can boost the signal sensitivity to over 10 000-fold compared with that under conventional MRI conditions, and this technique is referred to as ultrasensitive MRI. However, there are few methods to visualize complex mixtures in this field due to the difficulty in achieving favorable “cages” to capture the signal source, namely, ¹²⁹Xe atoms. Here, we proposed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as tunable nanoporous hosts to provide suitable cavities for xenon. Due to the widely dispersed spectroscopic signals, ¹²⁹Xe in different MOFs was easily visualized by assigning each chemical shift to a specific color. The results illustrated that the pore size determined the exchange rate, and the geometric structure and elemental composition influenced the local charge experienced by xenon. We confirmed that a complex mixture was first differentiated by specific colors in ultrasensitive MRI. The introduction of MOFs helps to overcome long-standing obstacles in ultrasensitive, multiplexed MRI.

Metal organic frameworks with tunable pore structures are able to provide varied chemical environments for hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe atom hosting, which results in distinguishing magnetic resonance signals, and stains ultra-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diverse colors.     

Nondisruptive Dissolution of Hyperpolarized 129Xe into Viscous Aqueous and Organic Liquid Crystalline Environments

Studies of hyperpolarized xenon‐129 (hp‐¹²⁹Xe) in media such as liquid crystals and cell suspensions are in demand for applications ranging from biomedical imaging to materials engineering but have been hindered by the inability to bubble Xe through the desired media as a result of viscosity or perturbations caused by bubbles. Herein a device is reported that can be reliably used to dissolve hp‐¹²⁹Xe into viscous aqueous and organic samples without bubbling. This method is robust, requires small sample volumes (<60 μL), is compatible with existing NMR hardware, and is made from readily available materials. Experiments show that Xe can be introduced into viscous and aligned media without disrupting molecular order. We detected dissolved xenon in an aqueous liquid crystal that is disrupted by the shear forces of bubbling, and we observed liquid‐crystal phase transitions in (MBBA). This tool allows an entirely new class of samples to be investigated by hyperpolarized‐gas NMR spectroscopy.     

A Hyperpolarizable 1H Magnetic Resonance Probe for Signal Detection 15 Minutes after Spin Polarization Storage

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two extremely important techniques with applications ranging from molecular structure determination to human imaging. However, in many cases the applicability of NMR and MRI are limited by inherently poor sensitivity and insufficient nuclear spin lifetime. Here we demonstrate a cost‐efficient and fast technique that tackles both issues simultaneously. We use the signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) technique to hyperpolarize the target ¹H nuclei and store this polarization in long‐lived singlet (LLS) form after suitable radiofrequency (rf) pulses. Compared to the normal scenario, we achieve three orders of signal enhancement and one order of lifetime extension, leading to ¹H NMR signal detection 15 minutes after the creation of the detected states. The creation of such hyperpolarized long‐lived polarization reflects an important step forward in the pipeline to see such agents used as clinical probes of disease.     

Development of Zinc‐Specific iCEST MRI as an Imaging Biomarker for Prostate Cancer

The healthy prostate contains the highest concentration of mobile zinc in the body. As this level decreases dramatically during the initial development of prostate cancer, in vivo detection of prostate zinc content may be applied for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Using ¹⁹F ion chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (iCEST MRI) and TF‐BAPTA as a fluorinated Zn‐binding probe with micromolar sensitivity, we show that iCEST MRI is able to differentiate between normal and malignant prostate cells with a 10‐fold difference in contrast following glucose‐stimulated zinc secretion in vitro. The iCEST signal decreased in normal prostate cells upon downregulation of the ZIP1 zinc transporter. In vivo, using an orthotopic prostate cancer mouse model and a transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, a gradual decrease of >300 % in iCEST contrast following the transition of normal prostate epithelial cells to cancer cells was detected.     

1H‐Detected Solid‐State NMR Studies of Water‐Inaccessible Proteins In Vitro and In Situ

¹H detection can significantly improve solid‐state NMR spectral sensitivity and thereby allows studying more complex proteins. However, the common prerequisite for ¹H detection is the introduction of exchangeable protons in otherwise deuterated proteins, which has thus far significantly hampered studies of partly water‐inaccessible proteins, such as membrane proteins. Herein, we present an approach that enables high‐resolution ¹H‐detected solid‐state NMR (ssNMR) studies of water‐inaccessible proteins, and that even works in highly complex environments such as cellular surfaces. In particular, the method was applied to study the K⁺ channel KcsA in liposomes and in situ in native bacterial cell membranes. We used our data for a dynamic analysis, and we show that the selectivity filter, which is responsible for ion conduction and highly conserved in K⁺ channels, undergoes pronounced molecular motion. We expect this approach to open new avenues for biomolecular ssNMR.     

“Clickable” Hydrosoluble PEGylated Cryptophane as a Universal Platform for 129Xe Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biosensors

We describe the synthesis of a highly water‐soluble cryptophane 1 that can be seen as a universal platform for the construction of ¹²⁹Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based biosensors. Compound 1 is easily functionalized by Huisgen cycloaddition and exhibits excellent xenon‐encapsulation properties. In addition, 1 is nontoxic at the concentrations typically used for hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI.     

Long‐Lived 1H Nuclear Spin Singlet in Dimethyl Maleate Revealed by Addition of Thiols

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become important techniques in many research areas. One major limitation is the relatively low sensitivity of these methods, which recently has been addressed by hyperpolarization. However, once hyperpolarization is imparted on a molecule, the magnetization typically decays within relatively short times. Singlet states are well isolated from the environment, such that they acquire long lifetimes. We describe herein a model reaction for read‐out of a hyperpolarized long‐lived state in dimethyl maleate using thiol conjugate addition. This type of reaction could lend itself to monitoring oxidative stress or hypoxia by sensitive detection of thiols. Similar reactions could be used in biosensors or assays that exploit molecular switching. Singlet lifetimes of about 4.7 min for ¹H spins in [D₄]MeOH are seen in this system.     

Gd‐DTPA‐Dopamine‐Bisphytanyl Amphiphile: Synthesis,Characterisation and Relaxation Parameters of the Nanoassemblies and Their Potential as MRI Contrast Agents

Here, a new amphiphilic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, a Gd^III‐chelated diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid conjugated to two branched alkyl chains via a dopamine spacer, Gd‐DTPA‐dopamine‐bisphytanyl (Gd‐DTPA‐Dop‐Phy), which is readily capable of self‐assembling into liposomal nanoassemblies upon dispersion in an aqueous solution, is reported. In vitro relaxivities of the dispersions were found to be much higher than Magnevist, a commercially available contrast agent, at 0.47 T but comparable at 9.40 T. Analysis of variable temperature ¹⁷O NMR transverse relaxation measurements revealed the water exchange of the nanoassemblies to be faster than that previously reported for paramagnetic liposomes. Molecular reorientation dynamics were probed by ¹H NMRD profiles using a classical inner and outer sphere relaxation model and a Lipari–Szabo “model‐free” approach. High payloads of Gd^III ions in the liposomal nanoassemblies made solely from the Gd‐DTPA‐Dop‐Phy amphiphiles, in combination with slow molecular reorientation and fast water exchange makes this novel amphiphile a suitable candidate to be investigated as an advanced MRI contrast agent.     

Effect of pH and counterions on the encapsulation properties of xenon in water-soluble cryptophanes

In the ¹²⁹Xe NMR‐based biosensing approach in which the hyperpolarized noble gas is transported to biological receptors for a sensitive molecular imaging, cryptophanes are excellent xenon host systems. However to avoid formation of self‐organized systems, these hydrophobic cage molecules can be rendered water soluble by introduction of ionic groups. We show that the sensitivity of xenon to its local environment and the presence of these ionic functions can lead to interesting properties. For a first water‐soluble cryptophane derivative, we show that a precise monitoring of the local pH can be performed. For a second cryptophane, the presence of ionic groups close to the cryptophane cavity modifies the xenon binding constant and in–out exchange rate. The latter allows the tuning of physical properties of xenon–cryptophane interactions without resorting to a change of the cavity size. These results open new perspectives on the influence of chemical modifications of cryptophanes for optimizing the biosensor properties.     

Structural analyses of mannose pentasaccharide of high mannose type oligosaccharides by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy is a very important and useful method for the structural analysis of oligosaccharides, despite its low sensitivity. We first applied conventional measuring methods, 2D DQF COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC, and ¹H–¹³C HMBC, and also the Double Pulsed Field Gradient Spin Echo (DPFGSE)‐TOCSY and DPFGSE‐NOESY/ROESY techniques to analyze a branched mannose pentasaccharide as a model of high mannose type N‐glycans in natural abundance. The NMR spectra of the model compound are very complex and difficult to analyze owing to overlapping signals. The superior selective irradiation capability of the DPFGSE technique is useful for fine structural and conformational analyses of such complex oligosaccharides. We here introduce a novel technique called DPFGSE‐Double‐Selective Population Transfer (SPT)‐Difference and DPFGSE‐NOE/ROE‐SPT‐Difference spectroscopy. The DPFGSE‐Double‐SPT‐Difference method involves irradiation of two peaks from one proton and the subtraction of higher and lower peaks from each spectrum. The DPFGSE‐NOE/ROE‐SPT‐Difference method involves the transfer of the magnetization polarized by NOE/ROE from the nuclei to the spin‐coupled nuclei through scalar spin–spin interaction using the SPT method. Even if the signals in the NMR spectra overlap, each signal can be accurately assigned. In particular, DPFGSE‐NOE/ROE‐SPT‐Difference is very useful for identifying sugar connectivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes as cytotoxic agents

The cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes of 5‐aminoorotic acid were synthesized and characterized by means of spectral data (IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis. Significant differences in the IR spectra of the complexes were observed as compared with the spectrum of the ligand. A comparative analysis of the Raman spectra of the complexes with that of the free 5‐aminoorotic acid allowed a straightforward assignment of the vibrations of the ligand groups involved in coordination. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra confirmed the formation of the complexes. The ligand and the complexes were tested for the cytotoxic activities on the chronic myeloid leukemia‐derived K‐562, overexpressing the BCR‐ABL fusion protein, and the non‐Hodgkin lymphoma‐derived DOHH‐2, characterized by a rexpression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl‐2 cell lines. The results obtained indicate that the tested compounds exerted a considerable cytotoxic activity upon the evaluated cell lines in a concentration‐dependent manner, which enabled the construction of dose–response curves and the calculation of the corresponding IC₅₀ values. Cytotoxicity towards tumor cells was determined for a broad concentration range. The inorganic salts exerted a very weak cytotoxic effect on these cells that is in contrast to the lanthanide complexes, which exhibited potent cytotoxic activity towards K‐562 and DOHH‐2 cell lines. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, fluorescence imaging,and cytotoxicity studies of a uracil‐based azo derivative and its metal complexes

A uracil‐based heterocyclic azo derivative was prepared by coupling diazotized 5‐aminouracil with 2‐naphthol. This ligand, viz., 1‐(2,4‐dioxopyrimidine‐5‐yl)‐azo‐naphth‐2‐ol (HNAP), was used as a precursor for the synthesis of a series of complexes with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) ions. Various physicochemical measurements UV–Visible, Infrared (IR), ¹H NMR, ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral studies were employed to characterize the ligand and the metal complexes. The ligand showed good selectivity toward Mn²⁺ over the other metal ions with a detection limit of 1.36 μM. This probe was used for the confocal fluorescence imaging of Mn²⁺ ions in Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) cells. The ligand and the metal complexes were tested for their cytotoxicity on the MCF‐7 cell line. It was observed that complexation of HNAP with the metal ions exhibited a promising cytotoxicity.     

On The Potential of Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced Diamonds in Solid‐State and Dissolution 13C NMR Spectroscopy

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a versatile option to improve the sensitivity of NMR and MRI. This versatility has elicited interest for overcoming potential limitations of these techniques, including the achievement of solid‐state polarization enhancement at ambient conditions, and the maximization of ¹³C signal lifetimes for performing in vivo MRI scans. This study explores whether diamond's ¹³C behavior in nano‐ and micro‐particles could be used to achieve these ends. The characteristics of diamond's DNP enhancement were analyzed for different magnetic fields, grain sizes, and sample environments ranging from cryogenic to ambient temperatures, in both solution and solid‐state experiments. It was found that ¹³C NMR signals could be boosted by orders of magnitude in either low‐ or room‐temperature solid‐state DNP experiments by utilizing naturally occurring paramagnetic P₁ substitutional nitrogen defects. We attribute this behavior to the unusually long electronic/nuclear spin‐lattice relaxation times characteristic of diamond, coupled with a time‐independent cross‐effect‐like polarization transfer mechanism facilitated by a matching of the nitrogen‐related hyperfine coupling and the ¹³C Zeeman splitting. The efficiency of this solid‐state polarization process, however, is harder to exploit in dissolution DNP‐enhanced MRI contexts. The prospects for utilizing polarized diamond approaching nanoscale dimensions for both solid and solution applications are briefly discussed.     

MQD--multiplex-quadrature detection in multi-dimensional NMR

With multiplex‐quadrature detection (MQD) the tasks of coherence selection and quadrature separation in N‐dimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments are merged. Thus the number of acquisitions required to achieve a desired resolution in the indirect dimensions is significantly reduced. The minimum number of transients per indirect data point, which have to be combined to give pure‐phase spectra, is thus decreased by a factor (3/4)^N?1. This reduction is achieved without adjustable parameters. We demonstrate the advantage by MQD 3D HNCO and HCCH‐TOCSY spectra affording the same resolution and the same per‐scan sensitivity as standard phase‐cycled ones, but obtained in only 56 % of the usual time and by resolution improvements achieved in the same amount of time.     

Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) Agents: Quantum Chemistry and MRI

Diamagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents offer an alternative to Gd³⁺‐based contrast agents for MRI. They are characterized by containing protons that can rapidly exchange with water and it is advantageous to have these protons resonate in a spectral window that is far removed from water. Herein, we report the first results of DFT calculations of the ¹H nuclear magnetic shieldings in 41 CEST agents, finding that the experimental shifts can be well predicted (R²=0.882). We tested a subset of compounds with the best MRI properties for toxicity and for activity as uncouplers, then obtained mice kidney CEST MRI images for three of the most promising leads finding 16 (2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) to be one of the most promising CEST MRI contrast agents to date. Overall, the results are of interest since they show that ¹H NMR shifts for CEST agents—charged species—can be well predicted, and that several leads have low toxicity and yield good in vivo MR images.