Chelator‐Free Radiolabeling of Nanographene: Breaking the Stereotype of Chelation

Macrocyclic chelators have been widely employed in the realm of nanoparticle‐based positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, whereas its accuracy remains questionable. Here, we found that ⁶⁴Cu can be intrinsically labeled onto nanographene based on interactions between Cu and the π electrons of graphene without the need of chelator conjugation, providing a promising alternative radiolabeling approach that maintains the native in vivo pharmacokinetics of the nanoparticles. Due to abundant π bonds, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) exhibited significantly higher labeling efficiency in comparison with graphene oxide (GO) and exhibited excellent radiostability in vivo. More importantly, nonspecific attachment of 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (NOTA) on nanographene was observed, which revealed that chelator‐mediated nanoparticle‐based PET imaging has its inherent drawbacks and can possibly lead to erroneous imaging results in vivo.     

Production of no-carrier-added 64Cu and applications to molecular imaging by PET and PETIS as a biomedical tracer

Copper-64 was produced by the ⁶⁴Ni(p, n)⁶⁴Cu reaction using enriched ⁶⁴NiO target. We investigated and compared the production yield of ⁶⁴Cu for proton beams of various energies by using a thick target. Enriched ⁶⁴Ni was recovered with high yield by simple procedures. Imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET) and positron emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) were performed. We obtained clear images in PET and PETIS studies. The results of this study indicate that ⁶⁴Cu can be utilized as a biomedical tracer for the molecular imaging both in animals and plants.     

Chirality‐Driven Transportation and Oxidation Prevention by Chiral Selenium Nanoparticles

The chirality of nanoparticles directly influences their transport and biological effects under physiological conditions, but the details of this phenomenon have rarely been explored. Herein, chiral GSH‐anchored selenium nanoparticles (G@SeNPs) are fabricated to investigate the effect of their chirality on their transport and antioxidant activity. G@SeNPs modified with different enantiomers show opposite handedness with a tunable circular dichroism signal. Noninvasive positron emission tomography imaging clearly reveals that ⁶⁴Cu‐labeled l ‐G@SeNPs experience distinctly different transport among the major organs from that of their d ‐and dl ‐counterparts, demonstrating that the chirality of the G@SeNPs influences the biodistribution and kinetics. Taking advantage of the strong homologous cell adhesion and uptake, l ‐G@SeNPs have been shown here to effectively prevent oxidation damage caused by palmitic acid in insulinoma cells.     

Enzyme‐Mediated Site‐Specific Bioconjugation of Metal Complexes to Proteins: Sortase‐Mediated Coupling of Copper‐64 to a Single‐Chain Antibody

The enzyme‐mediated site‐specific bioconjugation of a radioactive metal complex to a single‐chain antibody using the transpeptidase sortase A is reported. Cage amine sarcophagine ligands that were designed to function as substrates for the sortase A mediated bioconjugation to antibodies were synthesized and enzymatically conjugated to a single‐chain variable fragment. The antibody fragment scFv_anti‐LIBS targets ligand‐induced binding sites (LIBS) on the glycoprotein receptor GPIIb/IIIa, which is present on activated platelets. The immunoconjugates were radiolabeled with the positron‐emitting isotope ⁶⁴Cu. The new radiolabeled conjugates were shown to bind selectively to activated platelets. The diagnostic potential of the most promising conjugate was demonstrated in an in vivo model of carotid artery thrombosis using positron emission tomography. This approach gives homogeneous products through site‐specific enzyme‐mediated conjugation and should be broadly applicable to other metal complexes and proteins.     

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.     

Immobilization of the Gas Signaling Molecule H2S by Radioisotopes: Detection,Quantification, and In Vivo Imaging

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has multifunctional roles as a gas signaling molecule in living systems. However, the efficient detection and imaging of H₂S in live animals is very challenging. Herein, we report the first radioisotope‐based immobilization technique for the detection, quantification, and in vivo imaging of endogenous H₂S. Macrocyclic ⁶⁴Cu complexes that instantly reacted with gaseous H₂S to form insoluble ⁶⁴CuS in a highly sensitive and selective manner were prepared. The H₂S concentration in biological samples was measured by a thin‐layer radiochromatography method. When ⁶⁴Cu–cyclen was injected into mice, an elevated H₂S concentration in the inflamed paw was clearly visualized and quantified by Cerenkov luminescence and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. PET imaging was also able to pinpoint increased H₂S levels in a millimeter‐sized infarcted lesion of the rat heart.     

Immobilization of the Gas Signaling Molecule H2S by Radioisotopes: Detection,Quantification, and In Vivo Imaging

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has multifunctional roles as a gas signaling molecule in living systems. However, the efficient detection and imaging of H₂S in live animals is very challenging. Herein, we report the first radioisotope‐based immobilization technique for the detection, quantification, and in vivo imaging of endogenous H₂S. Macrocyclic ⁶⁴Cu complexes that instantly reacted with gaseous H₂S to form insoluble ⁶⁴CuS in a highly sensitive and selective manner were prepared. The H₂S concentration in biological samples was measured by a thin‐layer radiochromatography method. When ⁶⁴Cu–cyclen was injected into mice, an elevated H₂S concentration in the inflamed paw was clearly visualized and quantified by Cerenkov luminescence and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. PET imaging was also able to pinpoint increased H₂S levels in a millimeter‐sized infarcted lesion of the rat heart.     

N,N,N‐Trimethyl‐5‐[(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenoxy)carbonyl]pyridin‐2‐aminium trifluoromethanesulfonate a precursor for the synthesis of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl 6‐[18F]‐fluoronicotinate

The synthesis, recrystallization, and X‐ray deterimination of N,N,N‐trimethyl‐5‐[(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenoxy)carbonyl]pyridin‐2‐aminium trifluoromethanesulfonate (PyTFP‐precursor), C₁₅H₁₃F₄N₂O₂⁺·CF₃SO₃⁻, is described. This triflate salt precursor is required for the synthesis of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl 6‐[¹⁸F]‐fluoronicotinate ([¹⁸F]FPyTFP), a prosthetic group used to radiolabel peptides for positron emission tomography (PET), as peptides are increasingly being used as PET‐imaging probes in nuclear medicine. Radiolabeling of peptides is typically done using a `prosthetic group', a small synthon to which the radioisotope is attached in the first step, followed by attachment to the peptide in the second step. During the synthesis of the PyTFP‐precursor, displacement of a Cl atom with trimethylamine gas and anion replacement with a triflate counter‐ion is critical, as incomplete replacement would hinder radioisotopic incorporation of nucleophilic fluorine‐18 and result in diminished radiochemical yields. The structural determination of the PyTFP‐precursor by X‐ray crystallography helped confirm the anion exchange of chloride with triflate.     

PET Diagnostic Molecules Utilizing Multimeric Cyclic RGD Peptide Analogs for Imaging Integrin αvβ3 Receptors

Multimeric ligands consisting of multiple pharmacophores connected to a single backbone have been widely investigated for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this review, we summarize recent developments regarding multimeric radioligands targeting integrin α_vβ₃ receptors on cancer cells for molecular imaging and diagnostic applications using positron emission tomography (PET). Integrin α_vβ₃ receptors are glycoproteins expressed on the cell surface, which have a significant role in tumor angiogenesis. They act as receptors for several extracellular matrix proteins exposing the tripeptide sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD). Cyclic RDG peptidic ligands c(RGD) have been developed for integrin α_vβ₃ tumor-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) diagnosis. Several c(RGD) pharmacophores, connected with the linker and conjugated to a chelator or precursor for radiolabeling with different PET radionuclides (¹⁸F, ⁶⁴Cu, and ⁶⁸Ga), have resulted in multimeric ligands superior to c(RGD) monomers. The binding avidity, pharmacodynamic, and PET imaging properties of these multimeric c(RGD) radioligands, in relation to their structural characteristics are analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, specific examples from preclinical studies and clinical investigations are included.     

Automated production of 64Cu prepared by 18?MeV cyclotron

⁶⁴Cu (T_1/2?=?12,7?h, ??^? 37,1?%, ??⁺ 17,9?%, EC 41?%) is a useful radioisotopes for positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical. We used the reaction route ⁶⁴Ni(p,n)⁶⁴Cu for the ⁶⁴Cu preparation. A basic disadvantage of this route, a high price of the enriched target material, was eliminated by using very simple recycling procedure. Compact solid target irradiation system was installed at the end of the external beam line of the IBA Cyclone 18/9 cyclotron. In this paper, the irradiation of ⁶⁴Ni target and separation of ⁶⁴Cu from a target material is described. The separation was achieved by anion exchange chromatography with HCl as a elution solution. The distribution ratio for different HCl concentrations on Bio-Rad AG1-X8 and elution profile of ⁶⁴Cu were investigated. ⁶⁴Cu production rate for 100?mg ⁶⁴Ni of 99.09?% purity (ISOFLEX) on gold target was 104?MBq/??Ah. The activity of the product was checked by ionisation chamber (Curiementor), gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector and liquid scintillation counting using the triple-to-double coincidence ratio method. The separation process of ⁶⁴Cu was made in a home-made separation module.     

A purification system for 64Cu produced by a biomedical cyclotron for antibody PET imaging

Ion exchange is a simple and efficient method for separating no-carrier-added ⁶⁴Cu from an irradiated Ni target. We developed a semi-automated two-round ⁶⁴Cu separation system equipped with a strong-base anion exchange resin column. We first verified the efficiency of the system using a non-radioactive substitute consisting of 25 mg of Ni and 127 ng of Cu, and confirmed that Cu was completely eluted at the second round of the separation step. After the bombardment, separation of ⁶⁴Cu from the Ni target was achieved with high radiochemical purity. ⁶⁴Cu produced and separated in this study had an extremely low level of Ni impurity. It could be used for labeling monoclonal antibodies for antibody positron emission tomography imaging and synthesizing radiopharmaceuticals.     

Applications of “Hot” and “Cold” Bis(thiosemicarbazonato) Metal Complexes in Multimodal Imaging

The applications of coordination chemistry to molecular imaging has become a matter of intense research over the past 10 years. In particular, the applications of bis(thiosemicarbazonato) metal complexes in molecular imaging have mainly been focused on compounds with aliphatic backbones due to the in vivo imaging success of hypoxic tumors with PET (positron emission tomography) using ⁶⁴CuATSM [copper (diacetyl‐bis(N4‐methylthiosemicarbazone))]. This compound entered clinical trials in the US and the UK during the first decade of the 21^st century for imaging hypoxia in head and neck tumors. The replacement of the ligand backbone to aromatic groups, coupled with the exocyclic N's functionalization during the synthesis of bis(thiosemicarbazones) opens the possibility to use the corresponding metal complexes as multimodal imaging agents of use, both in vitro for optical detection, and in vivo when radiolabeled with several different metallic species. The greater kinetic stability of acenaphthenequinone bis(thiosemicarbazonato) metal complexes, with respect to that of the corresponding aliphatic ATSM complexes, allows the stabilization of a number of imaging probes, with special interest in “cold” and “hot” Cu(II) and Ga(III) derivatives for PET applications and ¹¹¹In(III) derivatives for SPECT (single‐photon emission computed tomography) applications, whilst Zn(II) derivatives display optical imaging properties in cells, with enhanced fluorescence emission and lifetime with respect to the free ligands. Preliminary studies have shown that gallium‐based acenaphthenequinone bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes are also hypoxia selective in vitro, thus increasing the interest in them as new generation imaging agents for in vitro and in vivo applications.     

Photochemical Conjugation and One‐Pot Radiolabelling of Antibodies for Immuno‐PET

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immunoglobulin fragments, and other proteins are important scaffolds in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic immuno‐positron emission tomography (immuno‐PET) and targeted radioimmunotherapy (RIT). Conventional methods for radiolabelling proteins with metal ions such as ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁹Zr, and ⁹⁰Y require multi‐step procedures involving pre‐purification, functionalisation with a chelate, and subsequent radiolabelling. Standard coupling chemistries are time‐consuming, difficult to automate, and involve synthesis, isolation, and storage of an intermediate, new molecular entity (the conjugated mAb) whose biochemical properties can differ from those of the parent protein. To circumvent these issues, we developed a photoradiochemical approach that uses fast, chemoselective, light‐induced protein modification under mild conditions with novel metal‐ion‐binding chelates derivatised with aryl azide (ArN₃) groups. Experiments show that one‐pot photochemical conjugation and radiolabelling of formulated mAbs can be achieved in <20 min.     

Highly Water‐Dispersible Surface‐Modified Gd2O3 Nanoparticles for Potential Dual‐Modal Bioimaging

Water‐dispersible and luminescent gadolinium oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) were designed and synthesized for potential dual‐modal biological imaging. They were obtained by capping gadolinium oxide nanoparticles with a fluorescent glycol‐based conjugated carboxylate (H L ). The obtained nanoparticles (GO‐ L ) show long‐term colloidal stability and intense blue fluorescence. In addition, L can sensitize the luminescence of europium(III) through the so‐called antenna effect. Thus, to extend the spectral ranges of emission, europium was introduced into L‐ modified gadolinium oxide nanoparticles. The obtained Eu^III‐doped particles (Eu:GO‐ L ) can provide visible red emission, which is more intensive than that without L capping. The average diameter of the monodisperse modified oxide cores is about 4 nm. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the L ‐modified nanoparticles was estimated to be about 13 nm. The nanoparticles show effective longitudinal water proton relaxivity. The relaxivity values obtained for GO‐ L and Eu:GO‐ L were r₁=6.4 and 6.3 s^?1 mM ^?1 with r₂/r₁ ratios close to unity at 1.4 T. Longitudinal proton relaxivities of these nanoparticles are higher than those of positive contrast agents based on gadolinium complexes such as Gd‐DOTA, which are commonly used for clinical magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, these particles are suitable for cellular imaging and show good biocompatibility.     

Silica‐Encapsulated Gd3+‐Aggregated Gold Nanoclusters for In Vitro and In Vivo Multimodal Cancer Imaging

Gd³⁺‐aggregated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) encapsulated by silica shell (Gd³⁺‐A‐AuNCs@SiO₂ NPs) were strategically designed and prepared. The as‐prepared nanoparticles exhibit aggregation‐enhanced fluorescence (AEF), with an intensity that is up to 3.8 times that of discrete AuNCs. The clusters served as novel nanoprobes for in vitro and in vivo multimodal (fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and computed X‐ray tomography) cancer imaging     

Synthesis and characterization of a tetramethyl furanone functionalized diiminedioxime,a potential ligand for Cu radiopharmaceuticals,and its copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes

As part of our on-going effort to develop ⁶⁴Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals for PET (positron emission tomography) imaging of multidrug resistance in cancer, we prepared a tetramethylfuranone-functionalized diiminedioxime ligand, TMFPreH (TMFPreH = 4-[3-(4-hydroxyimino-2,2,5,5-dimethyl-dihydro-furan-3-ylideneamino)-propylimino]-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-dihydrofuran-3(2H)-one oxime) and its Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes. When the copper(II) complex was prepared from Cu(ClO₄)₂ in ethanol, it was isolated as a Cu(II)-bridged dimer, but when it was prepared from Cu(OAc)₂ and heated in acetone, an unusual example of an acetone adduct of the ligand is formed by reduction of one of the imine double bonds by the solvent. The Ni(II) complex is square pyramidal with the perchlorate counterion at the apex.     

Carbon‐11 Radiolabelling of Organosulfur Compounds: 11C Synthesis of the Progesterone Receptor Agonist Tanaproget

Herein a new ¹¹C radiolabelling strategy for the fast and efficient synthesis of thioureas and related derivatives using the novel synthon, ¹¹CS₂, is reported. This approach has enabled the facile labelling of a potent progesterone receptor (PR) agonist, [¹¹C]Tanaproget, by the intramolecular reaction of the acyclic aminohydroxyl precursor with ¹¹CS₂, which has potential applications as a positron emission tomography radioligand for cancer imaging.     

Atomic‐Level Alloying and De‐alloying in Doped Gold Nanoparticles

Atomically precise alloying and de‐alloying processes for the formation of Ag–Au and Cu–Au nanoparticles of 25‐metal‐atom composition (referred to as Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈, in which R=CH₂CH₂Ph) are reported. The identities of the particles were determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐MS). Their structures were probed by fragmentation analysis in MALDI‐MS and comparison with the icosahedral structure of the homogold Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles (an icosahedral Au₁₃ core protected by a shell of Au₁₂(SR)₁₈). The Cu and Ag atoms were found to preferentially occupy the 13‐atom icosahedral sites, instead of the exterior shell. The number of Ag atoms in Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–8) was dependent on the molar ratio of Ag^I/Au^III precursors in the synthesis, whereas the number of Cu atoms in Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–4) was independent of the molar ratio of Cu^II/Au^III precursors applied. Interestingly, the Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles show a spontaneous de‐alloying process over time, and the initially formed Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles were converted to pure Au₂₅(SR)₁₈. This de‐alloying process was not observed in the case of alloyed Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. This contrast can be attributed to the stability difference between Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. These alloyed nanoparticles are promising candidates for applications such as catalysis.     

99mTc Radiolabeling and Biological Evaluation of Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Versatile Coating Ligand

Radiolabeling allows noninvasive imaging by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) for assessing the biodistribution of nanostructures. Herein, the synthesis of a new coating ligand for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and quantum dots (QDs) is reported. This ligand is multifunctional; it combines the metal chelate with conjugating functions to biological vectors. The concept allows the coupling of any targeting function to the chelator; an example for the prostate specific membrane antigen is given. Derivatized NPs can directly be labeled in one step with [^99mTc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺. AuNPs in particular are highly stable, a prerequisite for in vivo studies excluding misinterpretation of the biodistribution data. AuNPs with differing sizes (7 and 14 nm core diameter) were administered intravenously into nude NMRI mice bearing LNCaP xenografts. MicroSPECT images show for both probes rapid clearance from the blood pool through the hepatobiliary pathway. The 7 nm AuNPs revealed a significantly higher bone uptake than the 14 nm AuNPs. The high affinity towards bone mineral is further confirmed in vitro with hydroxyapatite.     

Gold‐loading magnetic core–shell organic/inorganic nanocomposites: facile preparation and multiple properties

Magnetic composite nanospheres (MCS) were first prepared via mini‐emulsion polymerization. Subsequently, the hybrid core–shell nanospheres were used as carriers to support gold nanoparticles. The as‐prepared gold‐loading magnetic composite nanospheres (Au‐MCS) had a hydrophobic core embed with γ‐Fe₃O₄ and a hydrophilic shell loaded by gold nanoparticles. Both the content of γ‐Fe₃O₄ and the size of gold nanoparticles could be controlled in our experiments, which resulted in fabricating various materials. On one hand, the Au‐MCS could be used as a T₂ contrast agent with a relaxivity coefficient of 362 mg^?1 ml S^?1 for magnetic resonance imaging. On the other hand, the Au‐MCS exhibited tunable optical‐absorption property over a wavelength range from 530 nm to 800 nm, which attributed to a secondary growth of gold nanoparticles. In addition, dynamic light scattering results of particle sizing and Zeta potential measurements revealed that Au‐MCS had a good stability in an aqueous solution, which would be helpful for further applications. Finally, it showed that the Au‐MCS were efficient catalysts for reductions of hydrophobic nitrobenzene and hydrophilic 4‐nitrophenol that could be reused by a magnetic separation process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.