Structure-Activity Relationships and Pharmacokinetics of 111In-Labeled Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor-Targeting Exendin-4 Derivatives Conjugated with Albumin Binder Moieties.

Insulinomas are neuroendocrine tumors that are derived from pancreatic ß-cells, and they often overexpress the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Radiolabeled exendin-4 derivatives have been used to noninvasively detect the GLP-1R during the diagnosis and preoperative localization of insulinomas; however, their marked renal accumulation can hinder the imaging of pancreatic tail lesions. In this study, we designed and synthesized 111In-labeled exendin-4 derivatives that possessed 4-(4-substituted phenyl)-moieties as albumin binder (ALB) moieties ([111In]In-E4DA2-4), and studied their structure-activity relationships and pharmacokinetics (as well as those of [111In]In-E4DA1, which we previously reported) to determine their usefulness as radioligands for GLP-1R imaging. 111In-labeling was performed by reacting maleimide precursors with [111In]InCl3 in 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid buffer, and then, the products were conjugated with exendin-4-Cys40. A saturation binding assay using GLP-1R-expressing INS-1 cells was carried out to evaluate the in vitro affinity of the radioligands for the cells. In addition, the affinity of the 111In-labeled derivatives for human serum albumin (HSA) was evaluated in an HSA-binding assay. Furthermore, an in vivo biodistribution study and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging were performed using INS-1 tumor-bearing mice. [111In]In-E4DA1-4 were prepared at radiochemical yields of 6-17%. In the saturation binding assay, [111In]In-E4DA1-4 showed a similar affinity for the INS-1 cells, indicating that the kind of ALB moiety used had no effect on the affinity of the exendin-4 derivatives for the cells. In the HSA-binding assay, [111In]In-E4DA1-4 all bound to HSA. In the biodistribution assay, [111In]In-E4DA1-4 exhibited marked tumor accumulation and retention. In addition, they showed lower renal accumulation than previously reported exendin-4-based radioligands without ALB moieties. The pharmacokinetics of the 111In-labeled exendin-4 derivatives varied markedly according to the kind of ALB moiety used. In particular, [111In]In-E4DA2, which contained a 4-(4-bromophenyl)butyric acid derivative as an ALB moiety, showed the highest tumor accumulation. SPECT imaging with [111In]In-E4DA2 clearly visualized INS-1 tumors with no marked accumulation in normal organs. These results provide important information that will aid the design of novel exendin-4-based radioligands targeting the GLP-1R.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel 111In-Labeled Picolinic Acid-Based Radioligands Containing an Albumin Binder for Development of a Radiotheranostic Platform.

Picolinic acid-based metallic chelators, e.g., neunpa and octapa, have attracted much attention as promising scaffolds for radiotheranostic agents, particularly those containing larger α-emitting radiometals. Furthermore, albumin binder (ALB) moieties, which noncovalently bind to albumin, have been utilized to improve the pharmacokinetics of radioligands targeting various biomolecules. In this study, we designed and synthesized novel neunpa and octapa derivatives (Neunpa-2 and Octapa-2, respectively), which contained a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-binding moiety (model targeting vector) and an ALB moiety. We evaluated the fundamental properties of these derivatives as radiotheranostic agents using 111In. In a cell-binding assay using LNCaP (PSMA-positive) cells, [111In]In-Neunpa-2 and [111In]In-Octapa-2 specifically bound to the LNCaP cells. In addition, a human serum albumin (HSA)-binding assay revealed that [111In]In-Neunpa-2 and [111In]In-Octapa-2 exhibited greater binding to HSA than their non-ALB-conjugated counterparts ([111In]In-Neunpa-1 and [111In]In-Octapa-1, respectively). A biodistribution assay conducted in LNCaP tumor-bearing mice showed that the introduction of the ALB moiety into the 111In-labeled neunpa and octapa derivatives resulted in markedly enhanced tumor uptake and retention of the radioligands. Furthermore, single-photon emission computed tomography imaging of LNCaP tumor-bearing mice with [111In]In-Octapa-2 produced tumor images. These results indicate that [111In]In-Octapa-2 may be a useful PSMA imaging probe and that picolinic acid-based ALB-conjugated radiometallic complexes may be promising candidates as radiotheranostic agents.

Development of an 111In-Labeled Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor-Targeting Exendin-4 Derivative that Exhibits Reduced Renal Uptake.

Insulinomas are neuroendocrine tumors that are mainly found in the pancreas. Surgical resection is currently the first-line treatment for insulinomas; thus, it is vital to preoperatively determine their locations. The marked expression of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is seen in pancreatic ß-cells and almost all insulinomas. Radiolabeled derivatives of exendin-4, a GLP-1R agonist, have been used with nuclear medicine imaging techniques for the in vivo detection of the GLP-1R; however, their marked renal accumulation can hinder the imaging of pancreatic tail lesions. To develop a GLP-1R imaging probe that exhibits reduced renal accumulation, we designed and synthesized a straight-chain GLP-1R-targeting radioligand, [111In]In-E4DA1, which consisted of exendin-4, DOTADG (a chelator), and an (iodophenyl)butyric acid derivative (an albumin binder [ALB]). We performed preclinical evaluations of [111In]In-E4DA1 to investigate its utility as a GLP-1R imaging probe. [111In]In-E4DA1 and [111In]In-E4D (a control compound lacking the ALB moiety) were prepared by reacting the corresponding precursors with [111In]InCl3 in buffer. Cell-binding and human serum albumin (HSA)-binding assays were performed to assess the in vitro affinity of the molecules for INS-1 (GLP-1R-positive) cells and albumin, respectively. A biodistribution assay and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging were carried out using INS-1 tumor-bearing mice. In the cell-binding assay, [111In]In-E4DA1 and [111In]In-E4D exhibited in vitro binding to INS-1 cells. In the HSA-binding assay, [111In]In-E4DA1 bound to HSA, while [111In]In-E4D showed little HSA binding. The in vivo experiments involving INS-1 tumor-bearing mice revealed that the introduction of an ALB moiety into the DOTADG-based exendin-4 derivative markedly increased the molecule's tumor accumulation while decreasing its renal accumulation. In addition, [111In]In-E4DA1 exhibited greater tumor accumulation than renal accumulation, whereas previously reported radiolabeled exendin-4 derivatives demonstrated much higher accumulation in the kidneys than in tumors. These results indicate that [111In]In-E4DA1 may be a useful GLP-1R imaging probe, as it demonstrates only slight renal accumulation.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel radioiodinated phenylbenzofuranone derivatives as α-synuclein imaging probes.

α-Synuclein (α-syn) aggregates are major components of pathological hallmarks observed in the human brain affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. It is known that α-syn aggregates are involved in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases. However, detailed mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the development of radiolabeled imaging probes to detect α-syn aggregates in vivo may contribute to early diagnosis and pathophysiological elucidation of neurodegenerative diseases affected by α-syn aggregates. In the present study, we designed and synthesized four radioiodinated phenylbenzofuranone (PBF) derivatives: [123/125I]IDPBF-2, [123/125I]INPBF-2, [123/125I]IDPBF-3, and [123/125I]INPBF-3, as candidates for α-syn imaging probes. All four compounds exhibited high binding affinity for recombinant α-syn aggregates in an inhibition assay. However, brain uptake of all four compounds was insufficient to achieve α-syn imaging in vivo. Considering the results of this study, while further structural modifications are required to improve brain uptake, it is suggested that PBF derivatives show fundamental characteristics as α-syn imaging probes.

Modulation of the Pharmacokinetics of a Radioligand Targeting Carbonic Anhydrase-IX with Albumin-Binding Moieties.

The expression of carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) in tumors can lead to a poor prognosis; thus, CA-IX has attracted much attention as a target molecule for cancer diagnosis and treatment. An 111In-labeled imidazothiadiazole sulfonamide (IS) derivative, [111In]In-DO3A-IS1, exhibited marked tumor accumulation but also marked renal accumulation, raising concerns about it producing a low signal/background ratio and a high radiation burden on the kidneys. In this study, four 111In-labeled IS derivatives, IS-[111In]In-DO2A-ALB1-4, which contained four different kinds of albumin binder (ALB) moieties, were designed and synthesized with the aim of improving the pharmacokinetics of [111In]In-DO3A-IS1. Their utility for imaging tumors that strongly express CA-IX was evaluated in mice. An in vitro binding assay of cells that strongly expressed CA-IX (HT-29 cells) was performed using acetazolamide as a competitor against CA-IX, and IS-[111In]In-DO2A-ALB1-4 did not exhibit reduced binding to HT-29 cells compared with [111In]In-DO3A-IS1. In contrast, IS-[111In]In-DO2A-ALB1-4 showed a greater ability to bind to human serum albumin than [111In]In-DO3A-IS1 in vitro. In an in vivo biodistribution study, the introduction of an ALB moiety into the 111In-labeled IS derivative markedly decreased renal accumulation and increased HT-29 tumor accumulation and blood retention. The pharmacokinetics of the IS derivatives varied depending on the substituted group within the ALB moiety. Single-photon emission computed tomography imaging with IS-[111In]In-DO2A-ALB1, which showed the highest tumor/kidney ratio in the biodistribution study, facilitated clear HT-29 tumor imaging, and no strong signals were observed in the normal organs. These results indicate that IS-[111In]In-DO2A-ALB1 may be an effective CA-IX imaging probe and that the introduction of ALB moieties may improve the pharmacokinetics of CA-IX ligands.

Feasibility of using a 99mTc-hydroxamamide complex containing an albumin binder moiety for in vivo albumin labeling-based tumor imaging.

Human serum albumin (HSA), which is distributed throughout the blood, is used as a carrier for transporting drugs to tumors based on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. To develop an agent for the in vivo radiolabeling of endogenous albumin, we designed and synthesized novel hydroxamamide (Ham)-based technetium-99m (99mTc) complexes, which contained a monovalent or bivalent 4-(4-iodophenyl)butyric acid (IA) derivative as an albumin binder (ALB) moiety ([99mTc]AB2 and [99mTc]ALB2, respectively), and evaluated their utility for in vivo tumor imaging. In an in vitro HSA-binding assay, [99mTc]AB2 and [99mTc]ALB2 showed greater binding to HSA than [99mTc]BHam, a 99mTc-Ham complex without an ALB moiety. In an in vivo biodistribution assay, [99mTc]ALB2 showed marked blood and tumor retention (25.13 and 4.61% injected dose (ID)/g, respectively, at 1 h postinjection), suggesting that the EPR effect had been induced. However, [99mTc]AB2 showed no marked blood or tumor retention (4.16 and 0.75% ID/g, respectively, at 1 h postinjection), probably because the affinity of the monovalent IA derivative for albumin was insufficient to induce the EPR effect. These findings indicated that the multivalent interactions of [99mTc]ALB2 had enhanced its affinity for albumin. 99mTc-complexes containing multivalent ALB moieties may be useful for tumor imaging.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 18F-labeled phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide derivative for detection of orexin 1 receptor in the brain.

Although the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) in the brain is considered to regulate reward and feeding, the in vivo function of OX1R has not been fully elucidated. In vivo imaging of OX1R with positron emission tomography (PET) may be useful to further understand the molecular details of OX1R. In this study, we newly designed and synthesized a phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide (PBC) derivative ([18F]PBC-1) and evaluated its utility as a PET probe targeting OX1R in the brain. The results of cell binding assays suggested that [18F]PBC-1 has affinity for OX1R. In an in vitro competitive inhibition assay, PBC-1 showed selective binding affinity for OX1R (IC50 = 19.5 nM) over orexin 2 receptor (IC50 = 456.7 nM). Furthermore, [18F]PBC-1 displayed sufficient brain uptake for in vivo imaging with PET in a biodistribution study using normal mice, but in vivo instability was observed. These results suggest that further modifications for improvement of the pharmacokinetics are needed, but the PBC scaffold has potential for the development of useful PET probes targeting OX1R in the brain.

Development of Novel PET Imaging Probes for Detection of Amylin Aggregates in the Pancreas.

The deposition of islet amyloid is associated with ß-cell mass dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since the amylin aggregate is the main component of islet amyloid, in vivo imaging of amylin may be useful for diagnosis and elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism of T2DM. In the present study, we newly designed, synthesized, and evaluated two 18F labeled compounds ([18F]DANIR-F 2b and [18F]DANIR-F 2c) as positron emission tomography (PET) probes targeting amylin aggregates. In an in vitro binding study, DANIR-F 2b and DANIR-F 2c showed binding affinity for amylin aggregates (Ki = 160 and 29 nM, respectively). In addition, [18F]DANIR-F 2b and [18F]DANIR-F 2c clearly labeled islet amyloids in in vitro autoradiography of T2DM pancreatic sections. In the biodistribution study using normal mice, [18F]DANIR-F 2b and [18F]DANIR-F 2c displayed favorable pharamacokinetics in the pancreas and some organs located near the pancreas. Furthermore, in an ex vivo autoradiographic study, [18F]DANIR-F 2c also bound to amylin aggregates in the pancreas of the amylin transplanted mice. The results of this study suggest that [18F]DANIR-F 2c shows fundamental properties as a PET imaging probe targeting amylin aggregates in the T2DM pancreas.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel technetium-99m-hydroxamamide complex based on imidazothiadiazole sulfonamide targeting carbonic anhydrase-IX for tumor imaging.

Carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) is an attractive target for detecting tumors associated with a poor prognosis. We previously reported a [99mTc]hydroxamamide complex based on ureidosulfonamide as a CA-IX ligand ([99mTc]URB2A), which showed a favorable affinity for CA-IX high-expressing cells in vitro and tumors in vivo; however, radioactivity retention in the blood pool suggested a high background signal on imaging. To improve the pharmacokinetics of [99mTc]URB2A, in this study, we designed and synthesized [99mTc]ISB2 based on imidazothiadiazole sulfonamide, which exhibited greater CA-IX affinity and faster clearance from the blood pool than ureidosulfonamide in studies using corresponding 111In-labeled compounds, and evaluated its utility for CA-IX imaging. In an in vitro cell binding assay, [99mTc]ISB2 markedly bound to CA-IX high-expressing (HT-29) cells; moreover, its binding was greater than that of [99mTc]URB2A. In an in vivo biodistribution assay, [99mTc]ISB2 showed faster clearance from the blood pool than [99mTc]URB2A; however, lower HT-29 tumor accumulation was observed. Further structural modification of [99mTc]ISB2 to improve its stability may lead to the development of a useful [99mTc]hydroxamamide complex for CA-IX imaging.

Synthesis and evaluation of indium-111-labeled imidazothiadiazole sulfonamide derivative for single photon emission computed tomography imaging targeting carbonic anhydrase-IX.

Carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) is a zinc enzyme overexpressed in the hypoxic regions of many types of solid tumors; therefore, in vivo imaging of CA-IX may contribute to cancer diagnosis. In this study, we newly designed and synthesized an 111In-labeled CA-IX imaging agent based on an imidazothiadiazole sulfonamide (IS) scaffold conjugated with a chelating moiety, DO3A ([111In]DO3A-IS1), and evaluated its utility for imaging of CA-IX high-expressing tumors. [111In]DO3A-IS1 was successfully synthesized at a 76% radiochemical yield by reacting its precursor with 111InCl3 in acetate buffer. In in vitro assays, [111In]DO3A-IS1 showed marked stability in murine plasma and greater binding to CA-IX high-expressing (HT-29) cells (118 ± 21% initial dose/mg protein) than CA-IX low-expressing (MDA-MB-231) cells (1.4 ± 0.3% initial dose/mg protein). Moreover, in an in vivo biodistribution assay, [111In]DO3A-IS1 showed marked accumulation in the HT-29 tumor (8.71 ± 1.41% injected dose/g at 24 h postinjection). In addition, in a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study, [111In]DO3A-IS1 clearly and selectively visualized the HT-29 tumor as compared with the MDA-MB-231 tumor. These results indicate that [111In]DO3A-IS1 may serve as a useful SPECT imaging agent with the novel scaffold targeting CA-IX.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of radioiodinated 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives targeting myelin in multiple sclerosis.

Myelin is a lipid multilayer involved in the rate of nerve transmission, and its loss is a pathological feature of multiple sclerosis in brains. Since in vivo imaging of myelin may be useful for drug development, early diagnosis, and monitoring the disease stage, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated eight novel radioiodinated 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives as imaging probes targeting myelin. In the biodistribution study using normal mice, all compounds displayed sufficient brain uptake, ranging from 2.5 to 5.0% ID/g, at 2 min postinjection. On ex vivo autoradiography, [125I]18 and [125I]21, which have a dimethylamino group, showed high binding affinity for myelin in the normal mouse brain. In addition, the radioactivity accumulation of [125I]21 in the white matter of the spinal cord in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice was lower than that in naive mice. These results suggest that [123I]21 shows potential as a single photon emission computed tomography probe targeting myelin.

Development of the 99mTc-Hydroxamamide Complex as a Probe Targeting Carbonic Anhydrase IX.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA-IX) is regarded as a favorable target for in vivo imaging because of its specific expression in hypoxic regions of tumors. Hypoxia assists tumor propagation and growth and is resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Here, we designed and synthesized [99mTc]hydroxamamide ([99mTc]Ham) and [99mTc]methyl-substituted-hydroxamamide ([99mTc]MHam) complexes including a bivalent CA-IX ligand, sulfonamide (SA), and ureidosulfonamide (UR). In a cell binding assay, [99mTc]Ham complexes with bivalent SA ([99mTc]SAB2A and [99mTc]SAB2B) and UR ([99mTc]URB2A and [99mTc]URB2B) showed significantly greater uptake into CA-IX high-expressing (HT-29) cells than that into CA-IX low-expressing cells. Since the binding affinity of [99mTc]URB2A and [99mTc]URB2B for CA-IX was significantly higher than that of [99mTc]SAB2A and [99mTc]SAB2B, we additionally synthesized [99mTc]MURB2 (a [99mTc]MHam complex with bivalent UR) and evaluated the CA-IX-specific binding affinity of [99mTc]URB2A, [99mTc]URB2B, and [99mTc]MURB2. Their uptake into HT-29 cells was reduced by the addition of a CA inhibitor, acetazolamide, suggesting their CA-IX-specific binding affinity. A biodistribution study in HT-29 tumor-bearing mice was carried out using [99mTc]URB2A and [99mTc]MURB2 with the highest specificity for HT-29 cells. [99mTc]URB2A showed moderate tumor uptake and reduction by coinjection with acetazolamide; however, the tumor/blood ratio was insufficient for in vivo imaging. These results provided key information for the design of novel Ham-based imaging probes targeting CA-IX.

18F-labeled benzimidazopyridine derivatives for PET imaging of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease.

Hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are one of the neuropathological hallmarks in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. The in vivo imaging of tau aggregates with nuclear medical imaging probes is helpful for the further comprehension of and medical intervention in the AD pathology. For tau-selective PET imaging, we newly designed and synthesized 18F-labeled benzimidazopyridine (BIP) derivatives with fluoroalkylamino groups, [18F]IBIPF1 and [18F]IBIPF2, and evaluated their utilities as tau imaging probes. They both bound selectively to tau against amyloid ß (Aß) aggregates in AD brain sections in vitro, and showed good pharmacokinetics in mouse brains in vivo. Notably, [18F]IBIPF1 exhibited high tau-selectivity (Tau/Aß ratio = 34.8), high brain uptake (6.22% ID/g at 2 min postinjection), and subsequent washout (2.77% ID/g at 30 min postinjection). In vivo analysis of radiometabolites indicated that [18F]IBIPF1 was stable against metabolism in the mouse brain. These encouraging preclinical results suggest that further structural optimization based on the BIP scaffold may lead to the development of more useful tau imaging probes.

Synthesis and evaluation of a radioiodinated BODIPY derivative as a thiol-labeling agent.

Labeling agents with radioisotopes or fluorescent dyes are useful for investigating the biodistributions of biologically active proteins and peptides. Compared with molecular imaging with a single modality, dual imaging probes provide complementary information for each modality. The development of a dual radioisotope/fluorescence agent for protein labeling would thus be valuable for both preclinical and clinical applications. In this study, we designed and synthesized a radioiodinated BODIPY derivative (BODIPY-ML) with a maleimide group as a thiol-labeling agent. In the presence of N-chlorosuccinimide and 1% acetic acid, [125 I]BODIPY-ML was successfully obtained at a radiochemical yield of 42%. In conjugation studies, model proteins including RGD peptides and anti-HER2 VHH were successfully labeled with BODIPY-ML via covalent bonds. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the radioiodinated BODIPY as a dual-labeling agent via thiol groups.

Development of Technetium-99m-Labeled BODIPY-Based Probes Targeting Lipid Droplets Toward the Diagnosis of Hyperlipidemia-Related Diseases.

Hyperlipidemia causes systemic lipid disorder, which leads to hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis. Thus, it is necessary to detect these syndromes early and precisely to improve prognosis. In the affected regions, abnormal formation and growth of lipid droplets is observed; therefore, lipid droplets may be a suitable target for the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia-related syndromes. In this study, we designed and synthesized [99mTc]Tc-BOD and [99mTc]Tc-MBOD composed of one technetium-99m and two BODIPY scaffolds with hydroxamamide (Ham) or N-methylated hydroxamamide (MHam) in radiochemical yields of 54 and 35%, respectively, with a radiochemical purity of over 95%. [99mTc]Tc-BOD showed significantly higher accumulation levels in foam cells than in non-foam cells (foam cells: 213.8 ± 64.8, non-foam cell: 126.2 ± 26.9 %dose/mg protein, p < 0.05) 2 h after incubation. In contrast, [99mTc]Tc-MBOD showed similar accumulation levels in foam cells and non-foam cells (foam cells: 92.2 ± 23.3, non-foam cell: 83.8 ± 19.8 %dose/mg protein). In normal mice, [99mTc]Tc-BOD exhibited gradual blood clearance (0.5 h: 4.98 ± 0.35, 6 h: 1.94 ± 0.12 %ID/g) and relatively high accumulation in the liver 6 h after administration (15.22 ± 1.72 %ID/g). Therefore, [99mTc]Tc-BOD may have potential as an imaging probe for detecting lipid droplets in disease lesions of hyperlipidemia.

Enhancement of binding affinity for amyloid aggregates by multivalent interactions of 99mTc-hydroxamamide complexes.

Deposition of amyloid aggregates has been regarded as an early stage of amyloidosis progression. An imaging probe that can image amyloid aggregates enables the early diagnosis of amyloidosis and contributes to the development of new medical therapies. High binding affinity for amyloid aggregates is essential to develop a useful molecular imaging probe. This article describes a new strategy to enhance the binding affinity of imaging agents targeting amyloid aggregates. We designed and synthesized novel (99m)Tc-hydroxamamide ((99m)Tc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand and evaluated their binding affinity for amyloid aggregates by using ß-amyloid peptide (Aß(1-42)) aggregates as a model. In vitro inhibition assay indicated that bivalent (99m)Tc-Ham complexes had much higher binding affinity for amyloid aggregates than monovalent complexes. In vitro autoradiography using Tg2576 mice showed the specific binding of bivalent (99m)Tc-Ham complexes to Aß plaques in the mouse brain, as reflected in the results of the inhibition assay. The preliminary results suggest that a new molecular design based on bivalent (99m)Tc-Ham complexes may be reasonable to develop an imaging probe targeting amyloid aggregates.

A (68)Ga complex based on benzofuran scaffold for the detection of ß-amyloid plaques.

Since the imaging of ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques in the brain is believed to be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a number of imaging probes to detect Aß plaques have been developed. Because the radionuclide (68)Ga (t1/2=68 min) for PET imaging could become an attractive alternative to (11)C and (18)F, we designed and synthesized a benzofuran derivative conjugated with a (68)Ga complex ((68)Ga-DOTA-C3-BF) as a novel Aß imaging probe. In an in vitro binding assay, Ga-DOTA-C3-BF showed high affinity for Aß(1-42) aggregates (Ki=10.8 nM). The Ga-DOTA-C3-BF clearly stained Aß plaques in a section of Tg2576 mouse, reflecting the affinity for Aß(1-42) aggregates in vitro. In a biodistribution study in normal mice, (68)Ga-DOTA-C3-BF displayed low initial uptake (0.45% ID/g) in the brain at 2 min post-injection. While improvement of the brain uptake of (68)Ga complexes appears to be essential, these results suggest that novel PET imaging probes that include (68)Ga as the radionuclide for PET may be feasible.

Development of novel 67/68Ga-labeled pyridyl benzofuran derivatives as islet amyloid imaging probes.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for the majority of diabetes mellitus cases, and ß-cell function and mass may be involved in its pathophysiology. The deposition of islet amyloid in pancreas islets is one of the mechanisms of progression of T2DM. Therefore, the development of imaging techniques for islet amyloid deposition contributes to the early-phase diagnosis and elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism of T2DM. We have reported that pyridyl benzofuran (PBF) is a promising scaffold for islet amyloid imaging probes. In this study, we designed [67/68Ga]Ga-dedpa-(PBF)2, which contains two PBF scaffolds in one molecule for enhancing binding affinity for islet amyloid by multivalent interaction, and evaluated its utility as an islet amyloid imaging probe. METHODS: We synthesized dedpa-PBF and dedpa-(PBF)2 as mono and bivalent compounds, respectively. We conducted an in vitro saturation binding assay for calculation of the dissociation constants (Kd) against islet amyloid aggregates. An in vitro autoradiographic study was performed using pancreatic tissue sections of T2DM patients. A biodistribution experiment was performed using normal mice. Finally, we carried out an ex vivo autoradiographic study using islet amyloid-transplanted model mice. RESULTS: In the in vitro saturation binding assay, the affinity of [67Ga]Ga-dedpa-(PBF)2 (Kd = 2.46 ± 0.49 µM) for islet amyloid aggregates was higher than that of [67Ga]Ga-dedpa-PBF (Kd = 3.73 ± 1.75 µM). The in vitro autoradiographic study revealed that both compounds clearly labeled islet amyloid depositions in T2DM sections. In the biodistribution experiment using normal mice, both compounds had initial uptake in the pancreas, but retention of radioactivity was observed in the pancreas and surrounding organs. In ex vivo autoradiography, both compounds exhibited intensive accumulation of radioactivity, which corresponded to Thioflavin S staining in amylin-transplanted mouse pancreas. CONCLUSION: [67/68Ga]Ga-dedpa-(PBF)2 demonstrated the fundamental characteristics of an islet amyloid imaging probe, although it is necessary to improve the clearance from organs.

Application of the Chelator-Based Clickable Radiotheranostic Platform to Moderate-Molecular-Weight Ligands.

We have reported that the chelator-based clickable radiotheranostic platform, ADIBO-DOTADG-ALB (ADA), has favorable properties as a radiotheranostic platform for low-molecular-weight ligands. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of ADA to moderate-molecular-weight ligands to expand the utility of the ADA platform. As a moderate-molecular-weight ligand, we selected exendin-4, a peptide-based agonist to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). An exendin-4-incorporated ADA derivative, exendin-4-Cys40-triazole-DOTADG-ALB (EtDA), was radiolabeled with 111In by the conjugation of exendin-4-Cys40 azide to [111In]In-ADA. The click ligation of exendin-4-Cys40 azide to [111In]In-ADA was quantitatively completed in 10 min under ambient conditions. In the in vitro cell-binding assay and albumin-binding assay, [111In]In-EtDA showed strong binding to both a GLP-1R-expressing cell and albumin. In the biodistribution assay, [111In]In-EtDA showed markedly protracted tumor uptake, which was significantly decreased by the coinjection of exendin-4-Cys40. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image of [111In]In-EtDA visualized the tumor clearly. These results indicated the utility of [111In]In-EtDA as a radiotheranostic agent, suggesting the applicability of the ADA platform to moderate-molecular-weight ligands.

Synthesis and Evaluation of 18F-Labeled Chalcone Analogue for Detection of α-Synuclein Aggregates in the Brain Using the Mouse Model.

In the brains of patients with synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy, α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates deposit abnormally to induce neurodegeneration, although the mechanism is unclear. Thus, in vivo imaging studies targeting α-syn aggregates have attracted much attention to guide medical intervention against synucleinopathy. In our previous study, a chalcone analogue, [125I]PHNP-3, functioned as a feasible probe in terms of α-syn binding in vitro; however, it did not migrate to the mouse brain, and further improvement of brain uptake was required. In the present study, we designed and synthesized two novel 18F-labeled chalcone analogues, [18F]FHCL-1 and [18F]FHCL-2, using a central nervous system multiparameter optimization (CNS MPO) algorithm with the aim of improving blood-brain barrier permeation in the mouse brain. Then, we evaluated their utility for in vivo imaging of α-syn aggregates using a mouse model. In the competitive inhibition assay, both chalcone analogues exhibited high binding affinity for α-syn aggregates (Ki = 2.6 and 3.4 nM, respectively), while no marked amyloid ß (Aß)-binding was observed. The 18F-labeling reaction was successfully performed. In a biodistribution experiment, brain uptake of both chalcone analogues in normal mice (2.09 and 2.40% injected dose/gram (% ID/g) at 2 min postinjection, respectively) was higher than that of [125I]PHNP-3, suggesting that the introduction of 18F into the chalcone analogue led to an improvement in brain uptake in mice while maintaining favorable binding ability for α-syn aggregates. Furthermore, in an ex vivo autoradiography experiment, [18F]FHCL-2 showed the feasibility of the detection of α-syn aggregates in the mouse brain in vivo. These preclinical studies demonstrated the validity of the design of α-syn-targeting probes based on the CNS MPO score and the possibility of in vivo imaging of α-syn aggregates in a mouse model using 18F-labeled chalcone analogues.