Imaging Glycosylation In Vivo by Metabolic Labeling and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Glycosylation is a ubiquitous post‐translational modification, present in over 50 % of the proteins in the human genome, 1 with important roles in cell–cell communication and migration. Interest in glycome profiling has increased with the realization that glycans can be used as biomarkers of many diseases, 2 including cancer. 3 We report here the first tomographic imaging of glycosylated tissues in live mice by using metabolic labeling and a gadolinium‐based bioorthogonal MRI probe. Significant N‐azidoacetylgalactosamine dependent T₁ contrast was observed in vivo two hours after probe administration. Tumor, kidney, and liver showed significant contrast, and several other tissues, including the pancreas, spleen, heart, and intestines, showed a very high contrast (>10‐fold). This approach has the potential to enable the rapid and non‐invasive magnetic resonance imaging of glycosylated tissues in vivo in preclinical models of disease.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

Redox Properties and in Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cyclodextrin-Polynitroxides Contrast Agents

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization and in vivo application of water-soluble supramolecular contrast agents (Mw: 5–5.6 kDa) for MRI obtained from β-cyclodextrin functionalized with different kinds of nitroxide radicals, both with piperidine structure ( CD2 and CD3 ) and with pyrrolidine structure ( CD4 and CD5 ). As to the stability of the radicals in presence of ascorbic acid, CD4 and CD5 have low second order kinetic constants (≤0.05 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) compared to CD2 (3.5 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and CD3 (0.73 M⁻¹ s⁻¹). Relaxivity (r₁) measurements on compounds CD3 - CD5 were carried out at different magnetic field strength (0.7, 3, 7 and 9.4 T). At 0.7 T, r₁ values comprised between 1.5 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 1.9 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ were found while a significant reduction was observed at higher fields (r₁≈0.6-0.9 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 9.4 T). Tests in vitro on HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells, L929 mouse fibroblasts and U87 glioblastoma cells indicated that all compounds were non-cytotoxic at concentrations below 1 μmol mL⁻¹. MRI in vivo was carried out at 9.4 T on glioma-bearing rats using the compounds CD3 - CD5 . The experiments showed a good lowering of T₁ relaxation in tumor with a retention of the contrast for at least 60 mins confirming improved stability also in vivo conditions.     

磁共振成像造影剂的研究进展

磁共振成像技术已成为临床医学影像学检查的重要手段,30%以上的磁共振成像诊断需要使用造影剂,因此磁共振成像造影剂也成为一种重要的临床诊断药物.本文简单介绍磁共振成像造影剂的定义、原理和分类,并对当前的研究进展进行了的评述,认为开发具有靶向性、高弛豫效率、使用安全的造影剂是研究的主要方向.     

pH响应的磁共振成像造影剂的研究进展

pH响应的磁共振成像(MRI)造影剂不仅能够对病变部位进行特异性增强成像,提高MRI检测疾病的灵敏度,而且可通过检测病变组织中的pH变化,为疾病的诊断提供依据。本文综述了pH响应的MRI造影剂的研究进展,介绍了其pH响应机理、种类与结构及应用,并对它的发展前景做了展望。     

Superfine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature Using Self‐Assembled Branched Polyethylene Glycol–Gd Contrast Agent

Magnetic resonance angiography is an attractive method for the visualization of the cerebrovasculature, but small‐sized vessels are hard to visualize with the current clinically approved agents. In this study, a polymeric contrast agent for the superfine imaging of the cerebrovasculature is presented. Eight‐arm polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of ≈17 000 Da conjugated with a Gd chelate and fluorescein (F‐8‐arm PEG‐Gd) is used. The relaxivity rate is 9.3 × 10⁻³m ⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is threefold higher than that of free Gd chelate. Light scattering analysis reveals that F‐8‐arm PEG‐Gd is formed by self‐assembly. When the F‐8‐arm PEG‐Gd is intravenously injected, cerebrovasculature as small as 100 µm in diameter is clearly visualized. However, signals are not enhanced when Gd chelate and Gd chelate‐conjugated 8‐arm PEG are injected. Furthermore, small vasculature around infarct region in rat stroke model can be visualized. These results suggest that F‐8‐arm PEG‐Gd enhances the MR imaging of cerebrovasculature.     

磁共振成像造影剂的一些进展

本文综述了近年来磁共振成像造影剂的一些研究进展,对70余种钆配合物作了分类讨论。     

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.     

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.     

Magnetic Resonance Detection of Gas Microbubbles via HyperCEST: A Path Toward Dual Modality Contrast Agent

Gas microbubbles are an established clinical ultrasound contrast agent. They could also become a powerful magnetic resonance (MR) intravascular contrast agent, but their low susceptibility-induced contrast requires high circulating concentrations or the addition of exogenous paramagnetic nanoparticles for MR detection. In order to detect clinical in vivo concentrations of raw microbubbles via MR, an alternative detection scheme must be used. HyperCEST is an NMR technique capable of indirectly detecting signals from very dilute molecules (concentrations well below the NMR detection threshold) that exchange hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe. Here, we use quantitative hyperCEST to show that microbubbles are very efficient hyperCEST agents. They can accommodate and saturate millions of ¹²⁹Xe atoms at a time, allowing for their indirect detection at concentrations as low as 10 femtomolar. The increased MR sensitivity to microbubbles achieved via hyperCEST can bridge the gap for microbubbles to become a dual modality contrast agent.     

Studies on Hepatocyte-Targeting Magnetic Resonance Imaging Macromolecular Contrast Media

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过氧化氢激活的纳米药物用于原位自生磁共振成像和热成像

恶性肿瘤的早期检测在降低死亡率方面发挥着关键作用。双模态生物医学成像策略能够为癌症的精确诊断提供更多的可用信息,成为当前研究热点。该文通过简便的一锅水热法制备了高度生物相容的多功能纳米粒子（CuSSe NPs）,可以特异性响应肿瘤部位过量的过氧化氢（H2O2）,实现Cu（Ⅰ）向Cu（Ⅱ）的转化,可作为原位自生磁共振成像（MRI）造影剂用于肿瘤诊断。此外,由于近红外（NIR）区域的强吸收,CuSSe NPs表现出良好的光热转换性能,可作为体内实时癌症监测的光热成像剂。血液分析结果表明CuSSe NPs具有较好的生物相容性,无急性、长期毒性。该纳米材料已被证明是一种潜在的纳米探针,可用于临床癌症治疗中具有高肿瘤对比度的双模态成像。     

Hyaluronic Acid‐Gadolinium Complex Nanospheres as Lymphatic System‐Specific Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A novel MRI contrast agent, hyaluronic acid gadolinium complex (HA‐Gd‐DTPA) nanospheres, is prepared by the synthesis of hyaluronic acid gadolinium complexes and their assembly. The physicochemical properties are characterized, and the lymphatic targeting in vitro and in vivo are also evaluated. The results show that the HA‐Gd‐DTPA nanospheres with suitable and stable physicochemical properties could be used for in vivo lymphatic targeting studies. Furthermore, the HA‐Gd‐DTPA nanospheres have obviously higher relaxation efficiency and MRI contrast between blood vessel and lymph vessel in rabbit than that of Magnevist. Thus, the novel MRI contrast agent can be taken up selectively by lymphatic system and used as a potential MRI contrast agents in lymphatic system.     

Oxidative Conversion of a Europium(II)‐Based T1 Agent into a Europium(III)‐Based paraCEST Agent that can be Detected In Vivo by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Eu^II complex of 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid (DOTA) tetra(glycinate) has a higher reduction potential than most Eu^II chelates reported to date. The reduced Eu^II form acts as an efficient water proton T₁ relaxation reagent, while the Eu^III form acts as a water‐based chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) agent. The complex has extremely fast water exchange rate. Oxidation to the corresponding Eu^III complex yields a well‐defined signal from the paraCEST agent. The time course of oxidation was studied in vitro and in vivo by T₁‐weighted and CEST imaging.