Gadolinium oxysulfide nanoparticles as multimodal imaging agents for T2-weighted MR, X-ray tomography and photoluminescence.

We have synthesized gadolinium oxysulfide nanoparticles (NPs) doped with other lanthanides (Eu(3+), Er(3+), Yb(3+)) via a hydroxycarbonate precursor precipitation route followed by a sulfuration process under a H2S-Ar atmosphere at 750 °C in order to propose new multimodal nanoplatforms for Magnetic Resonance (MR), X-ray and photoluminescence imaging. Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs strongly absorb near UV (≈ 300-400 nm) and re-emit strong red light (624 nm). They can be easily internalized by cancer cells, and imaged by epifluorescence microscopy under excitation in the NUV (365 nm). They are not cytotoxic for living cells up to 100 µg mL(-1). Consequently, they are well adapted for in vitro imaging on cell cultures. Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs also show strong transverse relaxivity and strong X-ray absorption allowing their use as contrast agents for T2-weighted MRI and X-ray tomography. Our study shows that Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs are considerably better than commercial Ferumoxtran-10 NPs as negative contrast agents for MRI. Upconversion emission of Gd2O2S:Er; Yb (1; 8%) NPs under infrared excitation (λ(ex) = 980 nm) shows mainly red emission (≈ 650-680 nm). Consequently, they are more specifically designed for in vivo deep fluorescence imaging, because both excitation and emission are located inside the "transparency window" of biological tissues (650-1200 nm). Magnetic relaxivity and X-ray absorption behaviors of Gd2O2S:Er; Yb NPs are almost similar to Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs.

Microwave-assisted seeded growth of lanthanide-based nanoparticles for imaging and therapy.

Size control: Particles designed for imaging and therapy need to be size tunable to ensure their optimal performance. A highly reproducible procedure for the preparation of uniform, spherical, lanthanide-based nanoparticles (NPs) was developed. The size of the particles can be predefined to an accuracy of up to a few nanometers by microwave-generated temperature control and the choice of aging time (see figure).

Development of a liposomal delivery system for temperature-triggered release of a tumor targeting agent, Ln(III)-DOTA-phenylboronate.

Liposomes, capable of temperature-triggered content release at the site of interest, can be of great importance for imaging and therapy of tumors. The delivery of imaging agents or therapeutics can be improved by application of liposomes with a gel-to-liquid phase-transition temperature suitable for mild hyperthermia (41-43°C), and by prolonging their circulation time by incorporation of lipids containing polyethyleneglycol moieties. Still, the rapid wash out of the delivered material from the tumor tissue is a major obstacle for both imaging and therapy. In this study, we developed an optimized temperature sensitive liposomal system to be used with mild hyperthermia: highly stable at physiological temperature and with a sharp transition of the bilayer at 41.5°C, with subsequent rapid release of entrapped compounds such as calcein or tumor cell-targeting contrast agents. Intravital microscopy on calcein/rhodamine containing liposomes was applied to demonstrate the applicability of this system in vivo. The calcein loaded liposomes were injected iv into nude mice with a human BLM melanoma tumor implanted in a dorsal skin-fold window chamber. Arrival of the liposomes at the tumor site and content release after temperature increase were monitored. The results demonstrated not only accumulation of the liposomes at the tumor site, but also a massive release of calcein after increase of the temperature to 41°C. The versatility of the thermosensitive liposomes was further demonstrated by encapsulation of a tumor cell-targeting DOTA-phenylboronate conjugate and its release at elevated temperatures. The DOTA ligand in this system is able to chelate a variety of metals suitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, whereas the phenylboronate function is able to target specifically to tumor cells through a covalent binding with sialic acid moieties over-expressed on their surface upon heat-triggered release from the liposomal carrier.

Gd(iii) complex of a monophosphinate-bis(phosphonate) DOTA analogue with a high relaxivity; Lanthanide(iii) complexes for imaging and radiotherapy of calcified tissues.

A new phosphinic-acid DOTA-like ligand, DO3AP(BP), containing a geminal bis(phosphonic acid) moiety as a highly effective bone-seeking group, was synthesized in high yield. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray analysis. Complexation with lanthanide(iii) ions occurs under mild conditions (pH = 8-9, 25 degrees C, 2-3 h). (1)H, (31)P, and (17)O NMR spectroscopy show that DO3AP(BP) forms nine-coordinated lanthanide(iii) complexes with one water molecule in the first coordination sphere except for Ln = Er-Lu, which have in addition a species without lanthanide(iii)-bound water. Selective formation of only two diastereomers (out of four possible) suggests that the coordinated phosphinate phosphorus atom occurs exclusively in one of the enantiomeric forms. The ratio of the twisted square antiprism (TSA) and square antiprism (SA) diastereomers changes along the lanthanide series; the gadolinium(iii) complex has about 35% of the TSA species. The bis(phosphonate) moiety remains free for anchoring to osseous tissue. The (1)H longitudinal relaxivity of the Gd-DO3AP(BP) complex (r(1) = 7.4 s(-1) mM(-1), 20 MHz, 25 degrees C, pH = 7.5) is unexpectedly high compared to that of other monohydrated chelates of similar size thanks to a significant contribution from the second hydration sphere. The water residence time tau(M)(298) is 198 ns. Further increase in the relaxivity was observed in the presence of Zn(ii), Mg(ii) or Ca(ii) ions, due to formation of coordination polymers. Slowing down of the tumbling rate of the Gd-DO3AP(BP) complex upon adsorption on hydroxyapatite also leads to an increase of the relaxivity (r(1) = 17 s(-1) mM(-1), 20 MHz, 25 degrees C, pH = 7.5).

Lanthanide(III) complexes of bis(phosphonate) monoamide analogues of DOTA: bone-seeking agents for imaging and therapy.

Lanthanide complexes of DOTA derivatives 2a (BPAMD) and 2b (BPAPD), having a monoamide pendant arm with a bis(phosphonate) moiety, were comparatively tested for application in MRI, radiotherapy, and bone pain palliation. (1)H, (31)P, and (17)O NMR spectroscopy show that they are nine-coordinated, with one water molecule in the first coordination sphere of the Ln(III) ion. The bis(phosphonate) moieties are not coordinated to the lanthanide and predominantly mono- and diprotonated at physiological pH. The parameters governing the longitudinal relaxivities of the Gd complexes are similar to those of other monoamides of DOTA reported in the literature. Upon adsorption on hydroxyapatite, the relaxivities at 20 MHz and 25 degrees C of Gd-2a and Gd-2b were 22.1 and 11 s(-1) mM(-1), respectively. An in vivo gamma-ray imaging study showed that the (177)Lu complexes of 2a and 2b have a high affinity for bones, particularly for growth plates and teeth with a prolonged retention.

Phenylboronate 160Tb complexes for molecular recognition of glycoproteins expressed on tumor cells.

The over-expression of sialic acid on the surface of cancer cells compared with normal ones makes this nine-carbon sugar an attractive biomarker for molecular diagnosis and therapy. Here, we describe a study on the molecular recognition of sialic acid end groups on the surface of human glioma cells by (160)Tb-DTPA-EN(2), (160)Tb-DTPA-(ENPBA)(2) and (160)Tb-DTPA-(PBA)(2) complexes. The results show Tb-DTPA-(ENPBA)(2) to be the most efficient targeting agent, due to the electrostatic interaction between its two positively charged ammonium groups and the negatively charged cell surface, which provides an additional stabilization of the covalent binding through the PBA moieties and the sialic acid diol functions. Up to 5.5 nmol Tb/mg protein is taken up by the cells. ICP analysis after incubation experiments with non-radioactive Tb-DTPA-(ENPBA)(2) suggests that dissociation of Tb from this complex occurs after its binding to the cell surface. Most likely, most of the free Tb remains adsorbed on the surface of the cells, although internalization of a small amount cannot be excluded.

Molecular recognition of sialic acid end groups by phenylboronates.

A multinuclear NMR study of the interaction between phenylboronic acid (PBA) and sialic acid (Neu5 Ac) has been performed. The latter compound is known to be overexpressed on the cell surface of tumor cells. The results of this investigation suggest that the binding of PBA to sialic acid is pH dependent. 17O NMR experiments with glycolic acid as the model compound prove that an interaction at the alpha-hydroxycarboxylate occurs at pH < 9, while a study with threonic and erythronic acids shows that the PBA group interacts selectively with the vicinal diol functions at higher pH. Similarly, Neu5 Ac binds PBA through its alpha-hydroxycarboxylate at low pH (< 9) and through its glycerol side chain at higher pH values. The conditional stability constant of the phenylboronate ester at pH 7.4 is 11.4. On cell surfaces, sialic acid is connected to the neighboring sugar unit through the 2-hydroxy group. To mimic this the 2-alpha-O-methyl derivative of Neu5 Ac was included in this study. The erythro configuration of the hydroxy substituents prevents stable-complex formation at positions C7 and C8 and, consequently, the strongest interaction is observed at positions C8 and C9, leading to a five-membered 2-boron-1,3-dioxalate. In addition, a relatively small amount of the C7-C9 six-membered complex was observed. Molecular modeling studies confirm that the C8-C9 boronate complex has the lowest energy.

Towards targeted MRI: new MRI contrast agents for sialic acid detection.

The detection of sialic acid in living systems is of importance for the diagnosis of several types of malignancy. We have designed and synthesized two new lanthanide ion ligands (L1 and L2) that are capable of molecular recognition of sialic acid residues. The basic structure of these ligands consists of a DTPA-bisamide (DTPA, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) whose amide moieties each bear both a boronic function for interaction with the diol groups in the side chain of sialic acid, and a functional group that is positively charged at physiologic pH values and is designed to interact with the carboxylate anion of sialic acid. The relaxometric properties of the Gd3+ complexes of these two ligands were evaluated. The relaxivity of the GdL1 complex has a significant second-sphere contribution at pH values above the pKa of its phenylboronic acid moiety. The interaction of the Gd3+ complexes of L1 and L2 with each of several saccharides was investigated by means of a competitive fluorescent assay. The results show that both complexes recognize sialic acid with good selectivity in the presence of other sugars. The adduct formed by GdL2 with sialic acid has the higher conditional formation constant (50.43+/-4.61 M(-1) at pH 7.4). The ability of such complexes to recognize sialic acid was confirmed by the results of a study on the interaction of corresponding radiolabeled complexes (153SmL1 and 153SmL2) with C6 glioma rat cells. 153SmL2 in particular is retained on the cell surface in significant amounts.