In vivo Metabolic Sensing of Hyperpolarized [1-13 C]Pyruvate in Mice Using a Recyclable Perfluorinated Iridium Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange Catalyst.

Real-time visualization of metabolic processes in vivo provides crucial insights into conditions like cancer and metabolic disorders. Metabolic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), by amplifying the signal of pyruvate molecules through hyperpolarization, enables non-invasive monitoring of metabolic fluxes, aiding in understanding disease progression and treatment response. Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) presents a simpler, cost-effective alternative to dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization, eliminating the need for expensive equipment and complex procedures. We present the first in vivo demonstration of metabolic sensing in a human pancreatic cancer xenograft model compared to healthy mice. A novel perfluorinated Iridium SABRE catalyst in a fluorinated solvent and methanol blend facilitated this breakthrough with a 2.2-fold increase in [1-13C]pyruvate SABRE hyperpolarization. The perfluorinated moiety allowed easy separation of the heavy-metal-containing catalyst from the hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate target. The perfluorinated catalyst exhibited recyclability, maintaining SABRE-SHEATH activity through subsequent hyperpolarization cycles with minimal activity loss after the initial two cycles. Remarkably, the catalyst retained activity for at least 10 cycles, with a 3.3-fold decrease in hyperpolarization potency. This proof-of-concept study encourages wider adoption of SABRE hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate MR for studying in vivo metabolism, aiding in diagnosing stages and monitoring treatment responses in cancer and other diseases.

Investigation of Two Zr-p-NO2Bn-DOTA Isomers via NMR and Quantum Chemical Studies.

A combination of NMR studies and quantum chemical calculations were employed to investigate the structure and energetics of Zr4+ chelates of pNO2Bn-DOTA. We have demonstrated that two discrete regioisomeric chelates are generated during the complex formation. The nitrobenzyl substituent can adopt either an equatorial corner or side position on the macrocyclic ring. These regioisomers are incapable of interconversion and were isolated by HPLC. The corner isomer is more stable than the side, and the SAP conformer of both regioisomers is energetically more favorable than the corresponding TSAP conformer.

Origin of the Isomer Stability of Polymethylated DOTA Chelates Complexed with Ln3+ ions.

DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid)-based chelates that give only a single isomer in solution when complexed with lanthanide (Ln3+) ions is of value for studying protein dynamics and interactions via NMR. Herein, we have investigated the geometries, energetics, and electrostatic potentials of Lu complexed with DOTA (1), ring methylated M4DOTA (2), and arm methylated R-DOTMA (3) and S-DOTMA (4), as well as, both ring and arm methylated 4S-4S-M4DOTMA (5) and 4S-4R-M4DOTMA (6) at the level of M06-L/6-31+G(d)-SDD, to elucidate the origin of the isomer stability. These analyses indicate that the electrostatic repulsion between the arm methyl and the neighboring carboxylate significantly destabilizes the square antiprism (SAP) isomer of Lu-5 and the twisted square antiprism (TSAP) isomer of Lu-6, while the steric repulsion between the ring and arm methyl groups attenuates the stability of both TSAP of Lu-5 and SAP of Lu-6. To rationalize the variable temperature proton NMR spectra, the energy barriers for the inter-conversion in Lu-5 and Lu-6 via arm rotation were also calculated. The modulation of the stability and rigidity of Ln complexes via a modification of DOTA is also discussed. Our investigation will aid to design better chelates for the Ln3+ ions for its use in molecular medicine.

Physiologically relevant orthogonal assays for the discovery of small-molecule modulators of WIP1 phosphatase in high-throughput screens.

WT P53-Induced Phosphatase 1 (WIP1) is a member of the magnesium-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PPM) family and is induced by P53 in response to DNA damage. In several human cancers, the WIP1 protein is overexpressed, which is generally associated with a worse prognosis. Although WIP1 is an attractive therapeutic target, no potent, selective, and bioactive small-molecule modulator with favorable pharmacokinetics has been reported. Phosphatase enzymes are among the most challenging targets for small molecules because of the difficulty of achieving both modulator selectivity and bioavailability. Another major obstacle has been the availability of robust and physiologically relevant phosphatase assays that are suitable for high-throughput screening. Here, we describe orthogonal biochemical WIP1 activity assays that utilize phosphopeptides from native WIP1 substrates. We optimized an MS assay to quantify the enzymatically dephosphorylated peptide reaction product in a 384-well format. Additionally, a red-shifted fluorescence assay was optimized in a 1,536-well format to enable real-time WIP1 activity measurements through the detection of the orthogonal reaction product, Pi We validated these two optimized assays by quantitative high-throughput screening against the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Pharmaceutical Collection and used secondary assays to confirm and evaluate inhibitors identified in the primary screen. Five inhibitors were further tested with an orthogonal WIP1 activity assay and surface plasmon resonance binding studies. Our results validate the application of miniaturized physiologically relevant and orthogonal WIP1 activity assays to discover small-molecule modulators from high-throughput screens.

Immuno-PET Imaging of the Programmed Cell Death-1 Ligand (PD-L1) Using a Zirconium-89 Labeled Therapeutic Antibody, Avelumab.

OBJECTIVE: The goal is to evaluate avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody labeled with zirconium-89 in human PD-L1-expressing cancer cells and mouse xenografts for clinical translation. METHODS: [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was synthesized using avelumab conjugated to desferrioxamine. In vitro binding studies and biodistribution studies were performed with PD-L1+MDA-MB231 cells and MDA-MB231 xenograft mouse models, respectively. Biodistributions were determined at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days post coinjection of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb without or with unlabeled avelumab (10, 20, 40, and 400 µg). RESULTS: [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb exhibited high affinity (Kd ∼ 0.3 nM) and detected moderate PD-L1 expression levels in MDA-MB231 cells. The spleen and lymph nodes exhibited the highest [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb uptakes in all time points, while MDA-MB231 tumor uptakes were lower but highly retained. In the unlabeled avelumab dose escalation studies, spleen tissue-muscle ratios decreased in a dose-dependent manner indicating specific [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb binding to PD-L1. In contrast, lymph node and tumor tissue-muscle ratios increased 4- to 5-fold at 20 and 40 µg avelumab doses. CONCLUSIONS: [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb exhibited specific and high affinity for PD-L1 in vitro and had target tissue uptakes correlating with PD-L1 expression levels in vivo. [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PD-L1 mAb uptake in PD-L1+tumors increased with escalating doses of avelumab.

Comparison of Solution Properties of Polymethylated DOTA-like Lanthanide Complexes with Opposite Chirality of the Pendant Arms.

Polymethylated lanthanide 4S4R-M4DOTMA complexes, bearing the ring methyl groups oriented in the SSSS position and the arm methyl groups in the RRRR configuration, exist exclusively as the SAP [Λ(δδδδ)] isomer in solution throughout the lanthanide series. This observation is in contrast to Ln-8S-M4DOTMA, which was recently reported to adopt the SAP [Λ(δδδδ)] isomer in the early lanthanides, while the late lanthanides adopt the TSAP [Δ(δδδδ)] isomer. The methyl groups on the ring and the arm are both oriented in the SSSS configuration for Ln-8S-M4DOTMA ( Dalton Trans. 2016 , 45 , 4673 - 4687 , DOI: 10.1039/C5DT03210E ). Quantum chemical calculations for Pr- and Yb-4S4R-M4DOTMA indicate that the SAP isomer is significantly more stable. The luminescence profiles of Eu-8S-M4DOTMA and Eu-4S4R-M4DOTMA showed similar profiles signifying identical coordination environments. The hydration state, q, of the Eu(III) complexes was q = 0.91-0.95, while Tb-8S-M4DOTMA had q = 0.86. A much lower q value was obtained for Tb-4S4R-M4DOTMA (q = 0.67), which indicates an elongation of the Ln-Ow bond. At 400 MHz, the relaxivity of Gd-8S-M4DOTMA is 5.1 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1 and 3.9 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1 at 25 and 37 °C, respectively, whereas the relaxivity of Gd-4S4R-M4DOTMA is 4.6 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1 at 25 °C and 3.6 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1 at 37 °C. At 45 MHz, the relaxivity of Gd-8S-M4DOTMA is 5.4 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1, and the relaxivity of Gd-4S4R-M4DOTMA is 4.5 ± 0.1 mM-1 s-1 at 25 °C. The temperature dependence of the 17O NMR transverse relaxation rate of the Gd complexes revealed a 7-fold increase in the bound water residence lifetime of Gd-8S-M4DOTMA (1/kex = τM = 9.0 ± 0.5 ns and 1/kex = τM = 60 ± 3 ns). The Pr(III) complex of 8S-M4DOTMA crystallized as TSAP isomer with an apical water. The presence of the apical water for the TSAP of Pr-8S-M4DOTMA was further confirmed with the observation that the fluoride ion replaces the bound water from the TSAP isomer of Pr-8S-M4DOTMA. This was shown by the disappearance of the TSAP peaks and appearance of a new set of less shifted resonances, which exchange with the SAP isomer as confirmed by NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY).

Characterizing the magnetic susceptibility tensor of lanthanide-containing polymethylated-DOTA complexes.

Lanthanide complexes based on the DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) cage are commonly used as phase contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging, but can also be utilized in structural NMR applications due to their ability to induce either paramagnetic relaxation enhancement or a pseudocontact shift (PCS) depending on the choice of the lanthanide. The size and sign of the PCS for any given atom is determined by its coordinates relative to the metal center, and the characteristics of the lanthanide's magnetic susceptibility tensor. Using a polymethylated DOTA tag (Ln-M8-SPy) conjugated to ubiquitin, we calculated the position of the metal center and characterized the susceptibility tensor for a number of lanthanides (dysprosium, thulium, and ytterbium) under a range of pH and temperature conditions. We found that there was a difference in temperature sensitivity for each of the complexes studied, which depended on the size of the lanthanide ion as well as the isomeric state of the cage. Using 17O-NMR, we confirmed that the temperature sensitivity of the compounds was enhanced by the presence of an apically bound water molecule. Since amide-containing lanthanide complexes are known to be pH sensitive and can be used as probes of physiological pH, we also investigated the effect of pH on the Ln-M8-SPy susceptibility tensor, but we found that the changes in this pH range (5.0-7.4) were not significant.

Role of Fluorophore Charge on the In Vivo Optical Imaging Properties of Near-Infrared Cyanine Dye/Monoclonal Antibody Conjugates.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores have several advantages over visible-light fluorophores, including superior light penetration in tissue and lower autofluorescence. We recently demonstrated that a new class of NIR cyanine dyes containing a novel C4'-O-alkyl linker exhibit greater chemical stability and excellent optical properties relative to existing C4'-O-aryl variants. We synthesized two NIR cyanine dyes with the same core structure but different indolenine substituents: FNIR-774 bearing four sulfonate groups and FNIR-Z-759 bearing a combination of two sulfonates and two quaternary ammonium cations, resulting in an anionic (-3) or monocationic (+1) charge, respectively. In this study, we compare the in vitro and in vivo optical imaging properties of monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugates of FNIR-774 and FNIR-Z-759 with panitumumab (pan) at antibody-to-dye ratios of 1:2 or 1:5. Conjugates of both dyes demonstrated similar quenching capacity, stability, and brightness in target cells in vitro. However, FNIR-Z-759 conjugates showed significantly lower background in mice, resulting in higher tumor-to-background ratio. Thus, FNIR-Z-759 conjugates appear to have superior in vivo imaging characteristics compared with FNIR-774 conjugates, especially in the abdominal region, regardless of the dye-mAb ratio. These results suggest that zwitterionic cyanine dyes are a promising class of fluorophores for improving in vivo optical imaging with antibody-NIR dye conjugates.

Immuno-PET imaging of tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8).

Tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) is a cell surface receptor that is highly expressed in a variety of human tumors and promotes tumor angiogenesis and cell growth. Antibodies targeting TEM8 block tumor angiogenesis in a manner distinct from the VEGF receptor pathway. Development of a TEM8 imaging agent could aid in patient selection for specific antiangiogenic therapies and for response monitoring. In these studies, L2, a therapeutic anti-TEM8 monoclonal IgG antibody (L2mAb), was labeled with (89)Zr and evaluated in vitro and in vivo in TEM8 expressing cells and mouse xenografts (NCI-H460, DLD-1) as a potential TEM8 immuno-PET imaging agent. (89)Zr-df-L2mAb was synthesized using a desferioxamine-L2mAb conjugate (df-L2mAb); (125)I-L2mAb was labeled directly. In vitro binding studies were performed using human derived cell lines with high, moderate, and low/undetectable TEM8 expression. (89)Zr-df-L2mAb in vitro autoradiography studies and CD31 IHC staining were performed with cryosections from human tumor xenografts (NCI-H460, DLD-1, MKN-45, U87-MG, T-47D, and A-431). Confirmatory TEM8 Western blots were performed with the same tumor types and cells. (89)Zr-df-L2mAb biodistribution and PET imaging studies were performed in NCI-H460 and DLD-1 xenografts in nude mice. (125)I-L2mAb and (89)Zr-df-L2mAb exhibited specific and high affinity binding to TEM8 that was consistent with TEM8 expression levels. In NCI-H460 and DLD-1 mouse xenografts nontarget tissue uptake of (89)Zr-df-L2mAb was similar; the liver and spleen exhibited the highest uptake at all time points. (89)Zr-L2mAb was highly retained in NCI-H460 tumors with <10% losses from day 1 to day 3 with the highest tumor to muscle ratios (T:M) occurring at day 3. DLD-1 tumors exhibited similar pharmacokinetics, but tumor uptake and T:M ratios were reduced ∼2-fold in comparison to NCI-H460 at all time points. NCI-H460 and DLD-1 tumors were easily visualized in PET imaging studies despite low in vitro TEM8 expression in DLD-1 cells indicating that in vivo expression might be higher in DLD-1 tumors. From in vitro autoradiography studies (89)Zr-df-L2mAb specific binding was found in 6 tumor types (U87-MG, NCI-H460, T-47D MKN-45, A-431, and DLD-1) which highly correlated to vessel density (CD31 IHC). Westerns blots confirmed the presence of TEM8 in the 6 tumor types but found undetectable TEM8 levels in DLD-1 and MKN-45 cells. This data would indicate that TEM8 is associated with the tumor vasculature rather than the tumor tissue, thus explaining the increased TEM8 expression in DLD-1 tumors compared to DLD-1 cell cultures. (89)Zr-df-L2mAb specifically targeted TEM8 in vitro and in vivo although the in vitro expression was not necessarily predictive of in vivo expression which seemed to be associated with the tumor vasculature. In mouse models, (89)Zr-df-L2mAb tumor uptakes and T:M ratios were sufficient for visualization during PET imaging. These results would suggest that a TEM8 targeted PET imaging agent, such as (89)Zr-df-L2mAb, may have potential clinical, diagnostic, and prognostic applications by providing a quantitative measure of tumor angiogenesis and patient selection for future TEM8 directed therapies.

An efficient synthesis of 3-(N-piperidinemethyl)-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethyl-1-oxy-3-pyrroline, a promising radioprotector for cancer radiotherapy.

Nitroxides can ameliorate the toxic effects of radiation during cancer therapy. Nitroxides are paramagnetic and can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) to monitor in vivo oxidative stress status. Compound 5 (3-(N-piperidinemethyl)-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethyl-1-oxy-3-pyrroline) was found to be the most effective nitroxide radioprotector. An efficient synthesis for this promising radioprotector was developed.

Preparation of a Zirconium-89 Labeled Clickable DOTA Complex and Its Antibody Conjugate.

Desferrioxamine B (DFO) is the clinical standard chelator for preparing zirconium-89 labeled antibodies. In the current study, the stabilities of a zirconium-89 labeled panitumumab (PAN; Vectibix®) with three different chelators (DFO, DFO*, and DOTA) were compared. PAN is an anti-HER1/EGFR monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of HER1-expressing colorectal cancers and was used as the model antibody for this study. DFO/DFO* conjugates of PAN were directly radiolabeled with zirconium-89 at room temperature to produce [89Zr]Zr-DFO/DFO*-PAN conjugates following a well-established procedure. A zirconium-89 labeled DOTA-PAN conjugate was prepared by an indirect radiolabeling method. A cyclooctyne-linked DOTA chelator (BCN-DOTA-GA) was first radiolabeled with zirconium-89 at 90 °C under a two-step basic pH adjustment method followed by conjugation with PAN-tetrazene at 37 °C to produce a labeled conjugate, BCN-[89Zr]Zr-DOTA-GA-PAN. High reproducibility of the radiolabeling was observed via this two-step basic pH adjustment. The overall radiochemical yield was 40-50% (n = 12, decay uncorrected) with a radiochemical purity of >95% in 2 h synthesis time. All three conjugates were stable in whole human serum for up to 7 days at 37 °C. The kinetic inertness of the conjugates was assessed against the EDTA challenge. BCN-[89Zr]Zr-DOTA-GA-PAN exhibited excellent inertness followed by [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-PAN. [89Zr]Zr-DFO-PAN displayed the lowest level of inertness.

Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Scaffolds for the Inhibition and Activation of WIP1 Phosphatase from a RapidFire Mass Spectrometry High-Throughput Screen.

Wild-type P53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1), also known as PPM1D or PP2Cδ, is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase induced by P53 after genotoxic stress. WIP1 inhibition has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for P53 wild-type cancers in which it is overexpressed, but this approach would be ineffective in P53-negative cancers. Furthermore, there are several cancers with mutated P53 where WIP1 acts as a tumor suppressor. Therefore, activating WIP1 phosphatase might also be a therapeutic strategy, depending on the P53 status. To date, no specific, potent WIP1 inhibitors with appropriate pharmacokinetic properties have been reported, nor have WIP1-specific activators. Here, we report the discovery of new WIP1 modulators from a high-throughput screen (HTS) using previously described orthogonal biochemical assays suitable for identifying both inhibitors and activators. The primary HTS was performed against a library of 102 277 compounds at a single concentration using a RapidFire mass spectrometry assay. Hits were further evaluated over a range of 11 concentrations with both the RapidFire MS assay and an orthogonal fluorescence-based assay. Further biophysical, biochemical, and cell-based studies of confirmed hits revealed a WIP1 activator and two inhibitors, one competitive and one uncompetitive. These new scaffolds are prime candidates for optimization which might enable inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetics and a first-in-class WIP1 activator.

Near-infrared fluorescence lifetime pH-sensitive probes.

We report what we believe to be the first near-infrared pH-sensitive fluorescence lifetime molecular probe suitable for biological applications in physiological range. Specifically, we modified a known fluorophore skeleton, hexamethylindotricarbocyanine, with a tertiary amine functionality that was electronically coupled to the fluorophore, to generate a pH-sensitive probe. The pK(a) of the probe depended critically on the location of the amine. Peripheral substitution at the 5-position of the indole ring resulted in a compound with pK(a) ∼ 4.9 as determined by emission spectroscopy. In contrast, substitution at the meso-position shifted the pK(a) to 5.5. The resulting compound, LS482, demonstrated steady-state and fluorescence-lifetime pH-sensitivity. This sensitivity stemmed from distinct lifetimes for protonated (∼1.16 ns in acidic DMSO) and deprotonated (∼1.4 ns in basic DMSO) components. The suitability of the fluorescent dyes for biological applications was demonstrated with a fluorescence-lifetime tomography system. The ability to interrogate cellular processes and subsequently translate the findings in living organisms further augments the potential of these lifetime-based pH probes.

Strategies for labeling proteins with PARACEST agents.

Reactive surface lysine groups on the monoclonal antibody (3G4) and on human serum albumin (HSA) were labeled with two different PARACEST chelates. Between 7.4 and 10.1 chelates were added per 3G4 molecule and between 5.6 and 5.9 chelates per molecule of HSA, depending upon which conjugation chemistry was used. The immunoreactivity of 3G4 as measured by ELISA assays was highly dependent upon the number of attached chelates: 88% immunoreactivity with 7.4 chelates per antibody versus only 17% immunoreactivity with 10.1 chelates per antibody. Upon conjugation to 3G4, the bound water lifetime of Eu-1 increased only marginally, up from 53µs for the non-conjugated chelate to 65-77µs for conjugated chelates. Conjugation of a chelate Eu-2 to HSA via a single side-chain group also resulted in little or no change in bound water lifetime (73-75µs for both the conjugated and non-conjugated forms). These data indicate that exchange of water molecules protons between the inner-sphere site on covalently attached PARACEST agent and bulk water is largely unaffected by the mode of attachment of the agent to the protein and likely its chemical surroundings on the surface of the protein.

In Vitro and In Vivo Comparison of 3,2-HOPO Versus Deferoxamine-Based Chelation of Zirconium-89 to the Antimesothelin Antibody Anetumab.

Introduction: [227Th]Th-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb, a mesothelin (MSLN)-targeted thorium-227 therapeutic conjugate, is currently in phase I clinical trial; however, direct PET imaging using this conjugate is technically challenging. Thus, using the same MSLN antibody, we synthesized 3,2-HOPO and deferoxamine (DFO)-based zirconium-89 antibody conjugates, [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-MSLN-mAb, respectively, and compared them in vitro and in vivo. Methods: [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-MSLN-mAb were evaluated in vitro to determine binding affinity and immunoreactivity in HT29-MSLN and PDX (NCI-Meso16, NCI-Meso21) cells. For both the zirconium-89 conjugates, in vivo studies (biodistribution/imaging) were performed at days 1, 3, and 6, from which tissue uptake was determined. Results: Both the conjugates demonstrated a low nanomolar binding affinity for MSLN and >95% immunoreactivity. In all the three tumor types, biodistribution of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-MSLN-mAb resulted in higher tumor uptake(15.88-28-33%ID/g) at all time points compared with [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb(7-13.07%ID/g). [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb femur uptake was always higher than [89Zr]Zr-DFO-MSLN-mAb, and imaging results concurred with the biodistribution studies. Conclusions: Even though the conjugates exhibited a high binding affinity for MSLN, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-MSLN-mAb showed a higher tumor and lower femur uptake than [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb. Nevertheless, [89Zr]Zr-3,2-HOPO-MSLN-mAb could be used to study organ distribution and lesion uptake with the caveat of detecting MSLN-positive bone lesions. Clinical trial (NCT03507452).

Rapid Depletion of Intratumoral Regulatory T Cells Induces Synchronized CD8 T- and NK-cell Activation and IFNγ-Dependent Tumor Vessel Regression.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to inhibit antitumor immunity, yet the specific mechanism by which intratumoral Tregs promote tumor growth remains unclear. To better understand the roles of intratumoral Tregs, we selectively depleted tumor-infiltrating Tregs using anti-CD25-F(ab')2 near-infrared photoimmunotherapy. Depletion of tumor-infiltrating Tregs induced transient but synchronized IFNγ expression in CD8 T and natural killer (NK) cells. Despite the small fraction of CD8 T and NK cells contained within examined tumors, IFNγ produced by these CD8 T and NK cells led to efficient and rapid tumor vessel regression, intratumoral ischemia, and tumor necrosis/apoptosis and growth suppression. IFNγ receptor expression on vascular endothelial cells was required for these effects. Similar findings were observed in the early phase of systemic Treg depletion in tumor-bearing Foxp3DTR mice; combination with IL15 therapy further inhibited tumor growth and achieved increased complete regression. These results indicate the pivotal roles of intratumoral Tregs in maintaining tumor vessels and tumor growth by suppressing CD8 T and NK cells from producing IFNγ, providing insight into the mechanism of Treg-targeting therapies. SIGNIFICANCE: Intratumoral Treg depletion induces synchronized intratumoral CD8 T- and NK-cell activation, IFNγ-dependent tumor vessel regression, and ischemic tumor necrosis/apoptosis, indicating the roles of intratumoral Tregs to support the tumor vasculature. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/81/11/3092/F1.large.jpg.

Radioactivity-synchronized fluorescence enhancement using a radionuclide fluorescence-quenched dye.

We demonstrate the first evidence of radioactivity-synchronized fluorescence quenching of a near-infrared light-emitting dye by a radionuclide, (64)Cu, and subsequent fluorescence enhancement upon (64)Cu decay to the daughter isotopes (64)Ni and (64)Zn. The dynamic switch from high radioactivity and low fluorescence to low radioactivity and high fluorescence is potentially useful for developing complementary multimodal imaging and detection platforms for chemical, environmental, and biomedical applications as well as for unraveling the mechanisms of metal-induced dynamic fluorescence changes.

Analysis of the isomer ratios of polymethylated-DOTA complexes and the implications on protein structural studies.

A rigidified and symmetrical polymethylated 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) ligand bearing four SSSS methyl groups in both the tetraaza ring and the acetate arms (SSSS-SSSS-M4DOTMA) was prepared. The isomer ratio of SSSS-SSSS-M4DOTMA complexed with a series of lanthanide ions was carefully investigated using RP-HPLC and NMR. A square antiprismatic (SAP) configuration was exclusively observed for the early lanthanides, while the twisted square antiprismatic (TSAP) geometry was preferred as the lanthanide ion size decreases. The late lanthanides preferentially adopted the TSAP geometry. One of the pendant arms was modified with a pyridyl disulfide group (SSSS-SSSS-M8SPy) for cysteine attachment and displayed a similar isomer trend as the parent compound, Ln-SSSS-SSSS-M4DOTMA. Covalent attachment to the ubiquitin S57C mutant showed resonances whose intensities are in agreement with the isomeric population observed by RP-HPLC. Furthermore, the NOE experiments combined with quantum chemical calculations have unequivocally demonstrated that the SAP of Pr-SSSS-SSSS-M4DOTMA and Pr-SSSS-SSSS-M8SPy, as well as the TSAP of Yb-SSSS-SSSS-M8SPy are more stable than their corresponding isomers.

Effect of charge localization on the in vivo optical imaging properties of near-infrared cyanine dye/monoclonal antibody conjugates.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores show superior in vivo imaging properties than visible-light fluorophores because of the increased light penetration in tissue and lower autofluorescence of these wavelengths. We have recently reported that new NIR cyanine dyes containing a novel C4'-O-alkyl linker exhibit greater chemical stability and excellent optical properties relative to existing C4'-O-aryl variants. In this study, we synthesized two NIR cyanine dyes with the same core structure and charge but different indolenine substituents: FNIR-Z-759 bearing a combination of two sulfonates and two quaternary ammonium cations, and FNIR-G-765 bearing a combination of two sulfonates and two guanidines, resulting in zwitterionic charge with distinct cationic moieties. In this study, we compare the in vitro and in vivo optical imaging properties of monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugates of FNIR-Z-759 and FNIR-G-765 with panitumumab (pan) at antibody-to-dye ratios of 1 : 2 or 1 : 5. One-to-five conjugation of pan-to-FNIR-G-765 was not successful due to aggregate formation during the conjugation reaction. Conjugates of both dyes to pan (2 : 1) demonstrated similar quenching capacity, stability, and brightness in target cells in vitro. However, FNIR-Z-759 conjugates showed significantly lower accumulation in the mouse liver, resulting in higher tumor-to-liver ratio. Thus, FNIR-Z-759 conjugates appear to have superior in vivo imaging characteristics compared with FNIR-G-765 conjugates, especially in the abdominal region. Moreover, from a chemistry point of view, mAb conjugation with FNIR-Z-759 has an advantage over FNIR-G-765, because it does not form aggregates at high dye-to-mAb ratio. These results suggest that zwitterionic cyanine dyes are a superior class of fluorophores for conjugating with mAbs for fluorescence imaging applications due to improving target-to-background contrast in vivo. However, zwitterionic cyanine dyes should be designed carefully, as small changes to the structure can alter in vivo pharmacokinetics of mAb-dye conjugates.

Preparation and long-term biodistribution studies of a PAMAM dendrimer G5-Gd-BnDOTA conjugate for lymphatic imaging.

AIMS: To demonstrate the use of gadolinium (Gd)-labeled dendrimers as lymphatic imaging agents and establish the long-term biodistribution (90-day) of this type of agent in mice. MATERIALS & METHODS: A G5-Gd-BnDOTA dendrimer was prepared and injected into mice and monkeys for MR lymphangiography, and long-term biodistribution of the conjugate was studied. RESULTS: Administration of G5-Gd-BnDOTA in mice demonstrated a rapid uptake in the deep lymphatic system while injection in monkeys showed enhanced internal iliac nodes, indicating its general utility for lymphatic tracking. Biodistribution studies to 90 days showed that gadolinium conjugate is slowly being eliminated from the liver and other organs. CONCLUSION: The use of G5-Gd-BnDOTA holds great promise for lymphatic imaging, but its slow clearance from the body might hamper its eventual clinical translation.