Brain p3-Alcß peptide restores neuronal viability impaired by Alzheimer's amyloid ß-peptide.

We propose a new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain peptide p3-Alcß37 is generated from the neuronal protein alcadein ß through cleavage of γ-secretase, similar to the generation of amyloid ß (Aß) derived from Aß-protein precursor/APP. Neurotoxicity by Aß oligomers (Aßo) is the prime cause prior to the loss of brain function in AD. We found that p3-Alcß37 and its shorter peptide p3-Alcß9-19 enhanced the mitochondrial activity of neurons and protected neurons against Aßo-induced toxicity. This is due to the suppression of the Aßo-mediated excessive Ca2+ influx into neurons by p3-Alcß. Successful transfer of p3-Alcß9-19 into the brain following peripheral administration improved the mitochondrial viability in the brain of AD mice model, in which the mitochondrial activity is attenuated by increasing the neurotoxic human Aß42 burden, as revealed through brain PET imaging to monitor mitochondrial function. Because mitochondrial dysfunction is common in the brain of AD patients alongside increased Aß and reduced p3-Alcß37 levels, the administration of p3-Alcß9-19 may be a promising treatment for restoring, protecting, and promoting brain functions in patients with AD.

In vivo alterations of mitochondrial activity and amyloidosis in early-stage senescence-accelerated mice: a positron emission tomography study.

PURPOSE: While marked reductions in neural activity and mitochondrial function have been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the degree of mitochondrial activity in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage AD remains unexplored. Here, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to examine the direct relationship between mitochondrial activity (18F-BCPP-EF) and ß-amyloid (Aß) deposition (11C-PiB) in the same brains of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) mice, an Aß-developing neuroinflammatory animal model showing accelerated senescence with deterioration in cognitive functioning similar to that in MCI. METHODS: Five- to 25-week-old SAMP10 and control SAMR1 mice, were used in the experiments. PET was used to measure the binding levels (standard uptake value ratios; SUVRs) of [18F]2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-2H-pyridazin-3-one (18F-BCPP-EF) for mitochondrial complex 1 availability, and 11C-PiB for Aß deposition, in the same animals, and immunohistochemistry for ATPB (an ATP synthase on the mitochondrial inner membrane) was also performed, to determine changes in mitochondrial activity in relation to amyloid burden during the early stage of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The SUVR of 18F-BCPP-EF was significantly lower and that of 11C-PiB was higher in the 15-week-old SAMP10 mice than in the control and 5-week-old SAMP10 mice. The two parameters were found to negatively correlate with each other. The immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated temporal upregulation of ATPB levels at 15-week-old, but decreased at 25 week-old SAMP10 mice. CONCLUSION: The present results provide in vivo evidence of a decrease in mitochondrial energy production and elevated amyloidosis at an early stage in SAMP10 mice. The inverse correlation between these two phenomena suggests a concurrent change in neuronal energy failure by Aß-induced elevation of neuroinflammatory responses. Comparison of PET data with histological findings suggests that temporal increase of ATPB level may not be neurofunctionally implicated during neuropathological processes, including Aß pathology, in an animal model of early-phase AD spectrum disorder.

Evaluation of intracellular processes in quinolinic acid-induced brain damage by imaging reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial complex I activity.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to elucidate the intracellular processes associated with quinolinic acid (QA)-induced brain injury by acquiring semiquantitative fluorescent images of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and positron emission tomography (PET) images of mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity. METHODS: Ex vivo fluorescent imaging with dihydroethidium (DHE) and PET scans with 18F-BCPP-EF were conducted at 3 h and 24 h after QA injection into the rat striatum. Immunohistochemical studies were performed 24 h after QA injection into the rat brain using monoclonal antibodies against neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and CD11b. RESULTS: A strong DHE-derived fluorescent signal was detected in a focal area within the QA-injected striatum 3 h after QA injection, and increased fluorescent signal spread throughout the striatum and parts of the cerebral cortex after 24 h. By contrast, 18F-BCPP-EF uptake in the QA-injected rat brain was unchanged after 3 h and markedly decreased after 24 h, not only in the striatum but also in the cerebral hemisphere. The fluorescent signal in the striatum 24 h after QA injection colocalised with microglial marker expression. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully obtained functional images of focal ROS generation during the early period of excitotoxic injury, and microglial ROS generation and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed during the progression of the inflammatory response. Both ex vivo DHE imaging and in vivo 18F-BCPP-EF-PET were sufficiently sensitive to detect the respective processes of QA-induced brain damage. Our study contributes to the functional imaging of multiple events during the pathological process.

Head-to-head comparison of (R)-[11C]verapamil and [18F]MC225 in non-human primates, tracers for measuring P-glycoprotein function.

PURPOSE: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function is altered in several brain disorders; thus, it is of interest to monitor the P-gp function in vivo using PET. (R)-[11C]verapamil is considered the gold standard tracer to measure the P-gp function; however, it presents some drawbacks that limit its use. New P-gp tracers have been developed with improved properties, such as [18F]MC225. This study compares the characteristics of (R)-[11C]verapamil and [18F]MC225 in the same subjects. METHODS: Three non-human primates underwent 4 PET scans: 2 with (R)-[11C]verapamil and 2 with [18F]MC225, at baseline and after P-gp inhibition. The 30-min PET data were analyzed using 1-Tissue Compartment Model (1-TCM) and metabolite-corrected plasma as input function. Tracer kinetic parameters at baseline and after inhibition were compared. Regional differences and simplified methods to quantify the P-gp function were also assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, [18F]MC225 VT values were higher, and k2 values were lower than those of (R)-[11C]verapamil, whereas K1 values were not significantly different. After inhibition, VT values of the 2 tracers were similar; however, (R)-[11C]verapamil K1 and k2 values were higher than those of [18F]MC225. Significant regional differences between tracers were found at baseline, which disappeared after inhibition. The positive slope of the SUV-TAC was positively correlated to the K1 and VT of both tracers. CONCLUSION: [18F]MC225 and (R)-[11C]verapamil show comparable sensitivity to measure the P-gp function in non-human primates. Moreover, this study highlights the 30-min VT as the best parameter to measure decreases in the P-gp function with both tracers. [18F]MC225 may become the first radiofluorinated tracer able to measure decreases and increases in the P-gp function due to its higher baseline VT.

Pharmacokinetic Modeling of (R)-[11C]verapamil to Measure the P-Glycoprotein Function in Nonhuman Primates.

(R)-[11C]verapamil is a radiotracer widely used for the evaluation of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Several studies have evaluated the pharmacokinetics of (R)-[11C]verapamil in rats and humans under different conditions. However, to the best of our knowledge, the pharmacokinetics of (R)-[11C]verapamil have not yet been evaluated in nonhuman primates. Our study aims to establish (R)-[11C]verapamil as a reference P-gp tracer for comparison of a newly developed P-gp positron emission tomography (PET) tracer in a species close to humans. Therefore, the study assesses the kinetics of (R)-[11C]verapamil and evaluates the effect of scan duration and P-gp inhibition on estimated pharmacokinetic parameters. Three nonhuman primates underwent two dynamic 91 min PET scans with arterial blood sampling, one at baseline and another after inhibition of the P-gp function. The (R)-[11C]verapamil data were analyzed using 1-tissue compartment model (1-TCM) and 2-tissue compartment model fits using plasma-corrected for polar radio-metabolites or non-corrected for radio-metabolites as an input function and with various scan durations (10, 20, 30, 60, and 91 min). The preferred model was chosen according to the Akaike information criterion and the standard errors (SE %) of the estimated parameters. 1-TCM was selected as the model of choice to analyze the (R)-[11C]verapamil data at baseline and after inhibition and for all scan durations tested. The volume of distribution (VT) and the efflux constant k2 estimations were affected by the evaluated scan durations, whereas the influx constant K1 estimations remained relatively constant. After P-gp inhibition (tariquidar, 8 mg/kg), in a 91 min scan duration, the whole-brain VT increased significantly up to 208% (p < 0.001) and K1 up to 159% (p < 0.001) compared with baseline scans. The k2 values decreased significantly after P-gp inhibition in all the scan durations except for the 91 min scans. This study suggests the use of K1, calculated with 1-TCM and using short PET scans (10 to 30 min), as a suitable parameter to measure the P-gp function at the BBB of nonhuman primates.

Cohabiting with Smokers Is an Independent Factor for Worsening Arterial Stiffness Even in Smoking Workers.

Preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an urgent public health challenge. Although brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) can indicate the risk of arterial stiffness and CVD, findings regarding whether baPWV is associated with smoking are inconsistent. This study considered the influence of smoking on arteriosclerosis, specifically focusing on secondhand smoke (SHS), and aimed to construct a strategy for preventing the worsening of arteriosclerosis. We recruited 295 male employees from five companies who had smoking habits such as being smokers, living with smokers, and exposure to SHS outside the home. We measured body composition and hemodynamics, including blood pressure and baPWV, and found that baPWV had significant positive correlations with age, smoking index, alcohol consumption, body-fat percentage, blood pressure, and heart rate, and significant negative correlations with height, fat-free mass, and lower-limb muscle mass. Moreover, baPWV showed a significant adverse effect on participants who had metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Multiple regression analysis showed that baPWV had significant positive relationships with age, height, MetS risk factors, cohabitation with smokers, blood pressure, and heart rate, and a significant negative relationship with lower-limb muscle mass. The same results were obtained when adjusting for current smoking status, smoking index, cohabitation with smokers at birth, and frequency of exposure to SHS outside the home. Exposure to tobacco smoke due to cohabitation with smokers increased baPWV regardless of the person's smoking habits. Thus, to prevent an increase in baPWV in housemates and smokers, it is necessary for smokers to quit smoking.

18F-Labeled dihydromethidine: positron emission tomography radiotracer for imaging of reactive oxygen species in intact brain.

Dihydromethidine (DHM) labeled with 18F at the para position of the peripheral benzene ring was designed as a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for non-invasive imaging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This compound readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is oxidized by ROS, and the oxidation product is retained intracellularly. PET imaging of ROS-producing rat brain microinfused with sodium nitroprusside identified specific brain regions with high ROS concentrations. This tracer should be useful for studies of the pathophysiological roles of ROS, and in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

Upregulation of cannabinoid receptor type 2, but not TSPO, in senescence-accelerated neuroinflammation in mice: a positron emission tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Microglial cells are activated in response to changes in brain homeostasis during aging, dementia, and stroke. Type 2 endocannabinoid receptors (CB2) and translocator protein 18 kD (TSPO) are considered to reflect distinct aspects of microglia-related neuroinflammatory responses in the brain. CB2 activation is considered to relate to the neuroprotective responses that may occur predominantly in the early stage of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, while an increase in TSPO expression tends to occur later during neuroinflammation, in a proinflammatory fashion. However, this information was deduced from studies with different animal samples under different experimental settings. In this study, we aimed to examine the early microglial status in the inflammation occurring in the brains of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) mice, using positron emission tomography (PET) with CB2 and TSPO tracers, together with immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Five- and 15-week-old SAMP10 mice that undergo neurodegeneration after 7 months of age were used. The binding levels of the TSPO tracer (R)-[11C]PK11195 and CB2 tracer [11C]NE40 were measured using PET in combination with immunohistochemistry for CB2 and TSPO. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report PET data for CB2 and TSPO at the early stage of cognitive impairment in an animal model. RESULTS: The standard uptake value ratios (SUVRs) of [11C]NE40 binding were significantly higher than those of (R)-[11C]PK11195 binding in the cerebral cortical region at 15 weeks of age. At 5 weeks of age, the [11C]NE40 SUVR tended to be higher than the (R)-[11C]PK11195 SUVR. The (R)-[11C]PK11195 SUVR did not significantly differ between 5- and 15-week-old mice. Consistently, immunostaining analysis confirmed the upregulation of CB2, but not TSPO. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the CB2 tracer [11C]NE40 and/or an immunohistochemical approach allows evaluation of the role of microglia in acute neuroinflammatory processes in the early stage of neurodegeneration. The present results provide in vivo evidence of different responses of two types of microglia to senescence-accelerated neuroinflammation, implying the perturbation of microglial balance by aging. Specific treatment for CB2-positive microglia might help ameliorate senescence-related neuroinflammation and the following neurodegeneration.

Frequency of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Outside the Home Is Associated with a Lower FEV1/FVC in Male Workers Regardless of Smoking Status.

Decreased respiratory function associated with aging leads to the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and increased risk of death in the elderly. Prevention of a decline in respiratory function from a young age is important. This study aimed to clarify the factors that affect decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), an index of obstructive respiratory disorder caused by airway obstruction, by considering the influence of body composition and lifestyle. We recruited 262 employed adult men and determined their lifestyle-related factors, including smoking status, past or current secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, exposure to SHS outside the home, and physical activity (PA). Body composition and respiratory function were also measured. The data were then compared with those of non-smokers using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age. We also investigated factors influencing FEV1/FVC using multiple regression analysis, adjusting for age, height, smoking status, and lifestyle. Current smokers and heavy smokers exhibited significantly lower amounts of PA and had a higher body fat%, visceral fat area, prevalence of cohabitation with smokers, and frequency of SHS exposure outside the home, and FEV1/FVC was significantly lower in heavy smokers. A multiple regression analysis revealed that FEV1/FVC was associated only with the frequency of SHS exposure outside the home. It is important for occupational health personnel of a company to advise both non-smokers and smokers to avoid SHS to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease onset. This needs to be coupled with encouragement to quit smoking, especially for heavy smokers.

BCPP compounds, PET probes for early therapeutic evaluations, specifically bind to mitochondrial complex I.

BCPP compounds have been developed as PET imaging probes for neurodegenerative diseases in the living brain. 18F-BCPP-EF identifies damaged neuronal areas based on the lack of MC-I; however, its underlying mechanisms of action and specificity for MC-I remain unclear. We herein report the effects of BCPP-BF, -EF, -EM on MC-I in respiratory chain complexes using cardiomyocyte SMP. BCPP compounds inhibited the binding of 3H-dihydrorotenone to MC-I and the proton pumping activity of MC-I in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. These results suggest that BCPP compounds are MC-I selective inhibitors, and, thus, these radiolabeled compounds are useful for the quantitative imaging of MC-I using PET.

Sensitive and early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver of NASH model mice by PET imaging with 18F-BCPP-BF.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common disorder that progresses from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is thought that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of NASH. In this study, we developed a non-invasive method for early diagnosis and staging of NASH that directly measures mitochondrial complex-I (MC-I) activity in the liver of NASH model mice by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the novel tracer 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-[6-(4-[18F]fluorobutoxy)-pyridin-3-ylmethoxy]-2H-pyridazin-3-one (18F-BCPP-BF). Liver uptake of 18F-BCPP-BF in NASH and age-matched control mice was measured as a standard uptake value over a period of 1 to 12 weeks. Histopathological evaluation of the liver tissue was performed by haematoxylin and eosin staining, and fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. RESULTS: Significant mitochondrial dysfunction was detected as early as 1 week after commencing the diet, and MC-I activity in the liver measured by PET was reduced by > 50% relative to that in age-matched control mice after 6 weeks. Liver uptake of 18F-BCPP-BF was low throughout the 12-week experimental period. Histopathological examination revealed that steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning progressed from 1 to 6 weeks, with fibrosis observed from 6 to 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: PET scans and histopathological analysis revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver contributed to the progression of NASH. PET imaging with 18F-BCPP-BF is a useful tool for detecting NASH at early stages and for monitoring therapeutic response.

Evaluation of D-isomers of 4-borono-2-18F-fluoro-phenylalanine and O-11C-methyl-tyrosine as brain tumor imaging agents: a comparative PET study with their L-isomers in rat brain glioma.

BACKGROUND: The potential of the D-isomerization of 4-borono-2-18F-fluoro-phenylalanine (18F-FBPA) to improve its target tumor to non-target normal brain tissue ratio (TBR) was evaluated in rat brain glioma and compared with those of L- and D-11C-methyl-tyrosine (11C-CMT). The L- or D-isomer of 18F-FBPA was injected into rats through the tail vein, and their whole body kinetics and distributions were assessed using the tissue dissection method up to 90 min after the injection. The kinetics of L- and D-18F-FBPA or L- and D-11C-CMT in the C-6 glioma-inoculated rat brain were measured for 90 or 60 min, respectively, using high-resolution animal PET, and their TBRs were assessed. RESULTS: Tissue dissection analyses showed that D-18F-FBPA uptake was significantly lower than that of L-18F-FBPA in the brain and abdominal organs, except for the kidney and bladder, reflecting the faster elimination rate of D-18F-FBPA than L-18F-FBPA from the blood to the urinary tract. PET imaging using 18F-FBPA revealed that although the brain uptake of D-18F-FBPA was significantly lower than that of L-18F-FBPA, the TBR of the D-isomer improved to 6.93 from 1.45 for the L-isomer. Similar results were obtained with PET imaging using 11C-CMT with a smaller improvement in TBR to 1.75 for D-11C-CMT from 1.33 for L-11C-CMT. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that D-18F-FBPA is a better brain tumor imaging agent with higher TBR than its original L-isomer and previously reported tyrosine-based PET imaging agents. This improved TBR of D-18F-FBPA without any pre-treatments, such as tentative blood-brain barrier disruption using hyperosmotic agents or sonication, suggests that the D-isomerization of BPA results in the more selective accumulation of 10B in tumor cells that is more effective and less toxic than conventional L-BPA.

Effect of MPTP on Serotonergic Neuronal Systems and Mitochondrial Complex I Activity in the Living Brain: A PET Study on Conscious Rhesus Monkeys.

The objective of the present PET study was to compare the effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on serotonergic neuronal systems and mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity with that of dopamine in conscious rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Methods: A Parkinson disease monkey model was prepared by repeated administration of MPTP. For the PET measurements, normal and MPTP-treated conscious monkeys received an intravenous injection of 11C-DASB for serotonin transporter, 18F-MPPF for serotonin 1A receptor, 11C-PE2I for dopamine transporter, 11C-6MemTyr for dopamine synthesis, 11C-raclopride for dopamine D2 receptor, or 18F-BCPP-EF for MC-I. Serotonin and dopamine parameters were calculated using time-activity curves in the cerebellum as the input function. The total distribution volume of 18F-BCPP-EF was assessed using Logan plot graphical analysis with metabolite-corrected plasma as the input function. Results: MPTP-induced diffuse reductions in MC-I activity were observed throughout the brain, except the cerebellum. Significant reductions in the presynaptic dopamine parameters-dopamine transporter and dopamine synthesis-were detected in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta of MPTP-treated monkeys, whereas no significant differences in postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor binding were observed. Serotonin transporter binding was reduced by MPTP not only in striatal regions but also in extrastriatal regions. In contrast, serotonin 1A receptor binding was unaffected by MPTP anywhere in the brain. In the cortex, the reduction of serotonin transporter binding correlated with that of MC-I. Conclusion: The results obtained by multiparametric PET measurements in a Parkinson disease monkey model demonstrated that chronic MPTP treatment induced reductions not only in the dopaminergic system in the nigrostriatal pathway but also in serotonin transporter in the cortical and subcortical regions. These results suggest that the neurotoxicity of MPTP is not exclusive to the nigrostriatal pathway, as predicted from MC-I damage in the extrastriatal regions of the brain.

In vivo TSPO and cannabinoid receptor type 2 availability early in post-stroke neuroinflammation in rats: a positron emission tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Upregulated levels of 18-kDa translocator proteins (TSPO) and type 2 endocannabinoid receptors (CB2) are considered to reflect different aspects of microglia-related neuroinflammatory responses in the brain. Relative to the increase in the TSPO expression that occurs slightly later during neuroinflammation in a proinflammatory fashion, CB2 activation is considered to relate to the neuroprotective responses that occurs predominantly at an early stage of brain disorders. These findings, however, were deduced from studies with different animal samples under different experimental settings. Here, we aimed to examined the differences in TSPO binding and CB2 availability at an early stage of stroke in the same animal using positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS: We used a total of eight Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent photothrombotic stroke surgery. The binding levels of a TSPO tracer [11C](R)PK11195 and a CB2 tracer [11C]NE40 were measured at 24 h after the surgery in the same animal using PET in combination with immunohistochemistry for CB2 and several other markers. A morphological inspection was also performed with X-ray computed tomography for small animals. RESULTS: The levels of [11C]NE40 binding potential (BPND) were significantly higher in the cerebral cortical region on the lesion side than those on the non-lesion side, whereas no difference was found in the levels of [11C](R)PK11195 BPND between hemispheres. The tracer influx index (R1) data were all reduced on the lesion side irrespective of tracers. This increase in [11C]NE40 BPND was concomitant with an elevation in CB2 expression mainly within the microglia in the peri-infarct area, as shown by immunohistochemical examinations with Iba-1, CD11b/c+, and NG2+ staining. CONCLUSIONS: The present results provide in vivo evidence of different responses of microglia occurring in the acute state of stroke. The use of the CB2 tracer [11C]NE40 allows us to evaluate the roles played by the neuroprotective aspect of microglia in acute neuroinflammatory processes.

In Vivo Evaluation of 11C-Preladenant for PET Imaging of Adenosine A2A Receptors in the Conscious Monkey.

11C-preladenant was developed as a novel PET ligand for the adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs). The present study aimed to evaluate the suitability of 11C-preladenant PET for the quantification of striatal A2ARs and the assessment of A2AR occupancy in the conscious monkey brain. Methods:11C-preladenant was intravenously injected into conscious monkeys (n = 4, 18 PET scans), and a 91-min dynamic scan was started. Arterial blood samples in combination with metabolite analysis were obtained during the scan to provide the input function for kinetic modeling. The distribution volume (VT) was obtained by kinetic modeling with a 2-tissue-compartment model. The simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) with selected reference regions (cerebellum, cingulate, parietal cortex, and occipital cortex) was tested to estimate the binding potential (BPND) in A2AR-rich regions. BPND obtained from the SRTM was compared with distribution volume ratio (DVR)-1. The effects of blood volume, blood delay, and scan duration on BPND and DVR-1 were investigated. VT and BPND were also obtained after preblocking with unlabeled preladenant (1 mg/kg), A2AR-selective KW-6002 (0.5-1 mg/kg), and nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine (2.5-10 mg/kg). A2AR occupancy was studied with caffeine blockade. Results: Regional uptake of 11C-preladenant was consistent with the distribution of A2ARs in the monkey brain, with the highest uptake in the putamen, followed by the caudate, and the lowest uptake in the cerebellum. Tracer kinetics were well described by the 2-tissue-compartment model with a lower constraint on k4 to stabilize fits. The highest VT was observed in A2AR-rich regions (∼5.8-7.4) and lowest value in the cerebellum (∼1.3). BPND values estimated from the SRTM with different scan durations were comparable and were in agreement with DVR-1 (∼4.3-5.3 in A2AR-rich regions). Preladenant preinjection decreased the tracer uptake in A2AR-rich regions to the level of the reference regions. Caffeine pretreatment reduced the tracer uptake in the striatum in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:11C-preladenant PET is suitable for noninvasive quantification of A2ARs and assessment of A2AR occupancy in A2AR-rich regions in the monkey brain. SRTM using the cerebellum as the reference tissue is the applicable model for A2AR quantification.

Reduction of dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in the striatum after a single administration of esketamine, but not R-ketamine: a PET study in conscious monkeys.

R-ketamine appears to be a potent, long-lasting and safer antidepressant, relative to esketamine (S-ketamine), since it might be free of psychotomimetic side effects. Using [11C]raclopride and positron emission tomography (PET), we investigated whether esketamine and R-ketamine can affect dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in the conscious monkey brain. A single infusion of esketamine (0.5 mg/kg), but not R-ketamine (0.5 mg/kg), caused a reduction of binding availability of dopamine D2/3 receptor in the monkey striatum. This study suggests that unlike to R-ketamine, esketamine can cause dopamine release in the striatum, and that its release might be associated with psychotomimetic effects of esketamine.

Heterogeneous fibroblasts underlie age-dependent tertiary lymphoid tissues in the kidney.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical condition defined as a rapid decline in kidney function. AKI is a global health burden, estimated to cause 2 million deaths annually worldwide. Unlike AKI in the young, which is reversible, AKI in the elderly often leads to end-stage renal disease, and the mechanism that prevents kidney repair in the elderly is unclear. Here we demonstrate that aged but not young mice developed multiple tertiary lymphoid tissues (TLTs) in the kidney after AKI. TLT size was associated with impaired renal function and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and homeostatic chemokines, indicating a possible contribution of TLTs to sustained inflammation after injury. Notably, resident fibroblasts from a single lineage diversified into p75 neurotrophin receptor+ (p75NTR+) fibroblasts and homeostatic chemokine-producing fibroblasts inside TLTs, and retinoic acid-producing fibroblasts around TLTs. Deletion of CD4+ cells as well as late administration of dexamethasone abolished TLTs and improved renal outcomes. Importantly, aged but not young human kidneys also formed TLTs that had cellular and molecular components similar to those of mouse TLTs. Therefore, the inhibition of TLT formation may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for AKI in the elderly.

PET Imaging of Mitochondrial Complex I with 18F-BCPP-EF in the Brains of MPTP-Treated Monkeys.

UNLABELLED: (18)F-BCPP-EF was applied to assess mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity in the brains of Parkinson disease model monkeys prepared by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and also presynaptic dopamine parameters. METHODS: (11)C-ß-CFT for the dopamine transporter; (11)C-3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl-L-alanine (ß-(11)C-L-DOPA), L-6-(18)F-fluorodopa ((18)F-FDOPA), or 6-(11)C-methyl-m-tyrosine ((11)C-6MemTyr) for dopamine synthesis; or 2-tert-butyl-4-chrolo-5-{6-[2-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)-ethoxy]-pyridin-3-ylmethoxy}-2H-pyridazin-3-one ((18)F-BCPP-EF) for MC-I was intravenously injected into normal and MPTP monkeys in order to analyze their uptake in the striatum. RESULTS: Significant reductions in presynaptic dopamine parameters and MC-I activity were detected in the striatum of MPTP monkeys. Correlations were observed between MC-I activity and dopamine transporter as well as between MC-I activity and dopamine synthesis in the striatum. The order of detectability of impaired MC-I activity was (11)C-6MemTyr >> ß-(11)C-L-DOPA > (18)F-FDOPA. CONCLUSION: (18)F-BCPP-EF has potential as a PET probe for the quantitative imaging of MC-I damage in the living brains of Parkinson disease model monkeys using PET.

Comparing α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding, amyloid-ß deposition, and mitochondria complex-I function in living brain: A PET study in aged monkeys.

This study was aimed to assess the correlations among α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) binding, amyloid-ß (Aß) deposition, and mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity in the brain of aged monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Positron emission tomography (PET) measurements with [(11) C](R)-MeQAA, [(11) C]PIB, and [(18) F]BCPP-EF were conducted in monkeys in a conscious condition. [(11) C](R)-MeQAA binding was analyzed by a simplified reference tissue model to calculate nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND), [(11) C]PIB uptake was calculated by standard uptake value ratio (SUVR), and [(18) F]BCPP-EF binding was determined by Logan graphical analysis to calculate total distribution volume (VT) with arterial blood sampling. Higher brain uptake was determined in the thalamus, hippocampus, striatum, and cortical regions for [(11) C](R)-MeQAA, while being lower in the cerebellum. Significant age-related reduction of [(11) C](R)-MeQAA binding to α7-nAChR was determined only in the occipital cortex. The plot of Vt of [(18) F]BCPP-EF against BPND of [(11) C](R)-MeQAA indicated a significant negative correlation in the hippocampus and cortical regions in aged animals. Plotting of SUVR of [(11) C]PIB against BPND of [(11) C](R)-MeQAA showed a positive correlation. The in vivo binding of [(11) C](R)-MeQAA could reflect the upregulation of α7-nAChR induced by neurodegenerative damage determined by Aß deposition as well as impaired MC-I activity in living brain.

Comparing amyloid-ß deposition, neuroinflammation, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial complex I activity in brain: a PET study in aged monkeys.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare amyloid-ß (Aß) deposition, translocator protein (TSPO) activity, regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc), and mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity in the brain of aged monkeys. METHODS: PET scans with (11)C-PIB (Aß), (18)F-BCPP-EF (MC-I), (11)C-DPA-713 (TSPO), and (18)F-FDG (rCMRglc) were performed in aged monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in the conscious state and under isoflurane anaesthesia. (11)C-PIB binding to Aß and (11)C-DPA-713 binding to TSPO were evaluated in terms of standard uptake values (SUV). The total volume of distribution (V T) of (18)F-BCPP-EF and rCMRglc with (18)F-FDG were calculated using arterial blood sampling. RESULTS: Isoflurane did not affect MC-I activity measured in terms of (18)F-BCPP-EF uptake in living brain. There was a significant negative correlation between (18)F-BCPP-EF binding (V T) and (11)C-PIB uptake (SUVR), and there was a significant positive correlation between (11)C-DPA-713 uptake (SUV) and (11)C-PIB uptake. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between rCMRglc ratio and (11)C-PIB uptake. CONCLUSION: (18)F-BCPP-EF could be a potential PET probe for quantitative imaging of impaired MC-I activity that is correlated with Aß deposition in the living brain.