Synthesis and evaluation of a 18F-curcumin derivate for β-amyloid plaque imaging

IntroductionCurcumin is a neuroprotective compound that inhibits the formation of amyloid oligomers and fibrils and binds to β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to synthesize an ¹⁸F-labeled curcumin derivate ([¹⁸F]4) and to characterize its positron emission tomography (PET) tracer-binding properties to β-amyloid plaques in a transgenic APP23 mouse model of AD.MethodsWe utilized facile one-pot synthesis of [¹⁸F]4 using nucleophilic ¹⁸F-fluorination and click chemistry. Binding of [¹⁸F]4 to β-amyloid plaques in the transgenic APP23 mouse brain cryosections was studied in vitro using heterologous competitive binding against PIB. [¹⁸F]4 uptake was studied ex vivo in rodents and in vivo using PET/computed tomography of transgenic APP23 and wild-type control mice.ResultsThe radiochemical yield of [¹⁸F]4 was 21 ± 11%, the specific activity exceeded 1 TBq/μmol, and the radiochemical purity exceeded 99.3% at the end of synthesis. In vitro studies of [¹⁸F]4 with the transgenic APP23 mouse revealed high β-amyloid plaque binding. In vivo and ex vivo studies demonstrated that [¹⁸F]4 has fast clearance from the blood, moderate metabolism but low blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration.Conclusions[¹⁸F]4 was synthesized in high yield and excellent quality. In vitro studies, metabolite profile, and fast clearance from the blood indicated a promising tracer for Aβ imaging. However, [¹⁸F]4 has low in vivo BBB penetration and thus further studies are needed to reveal the reason for this and to possibly overcome this issue.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 18F-labled 2-phenylindole derivatives as PET imaging probes for β-amyloid plaques

A novel series of fluorinated 2-phenylindole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as β-amyloid imaging probes for PET. The in vitro inhibition assay demonstrated that their binding affinities for Aβ_1–42 aggregates ranged from 28.4 to 1097.8 nM. One ligand was labeled with ¹⁸F ([¹⁸F]1a) for its high affinity (K_i = 28.4 nM), which was also confirmed by in vitro autoradiography experiments on brain sections of transgenic mouse (C57BL6, APPswe/PSEN1, 11 months old, male). In vivo biodistribution experiments in normal mice showed that this radiotracer displayed high initial uptake (5.82 ± 0.51% ID/g at 2 min) into and moderate washout (2.77 ± 0.31% ID/g at 60 min) from the brain. [¹⁸F]1a could be developed as a promising new PET imaging probe for Aβ plaques although necessary modifications are still needed.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel photoreactive α-amino acid analog carrying acidic and cleavable functions

A novel photoreactive α-amino acid bearing an acidic residue and a cleavable diazirine was developed. To mimic common acidic α-amino acids, the residue was designed to be N-acylsulfonamide that possesses an acidic proton and is able to dissociate under the physiological conditions. The inhibition assay of its biotin-tagged derivative with glutamyl endopeptidase from Staphylococcus aureus V8 strain revealed a Ki_app value of 162 μM, which is slightly higher than the K_m value of a common substrate. Upon UV irradiation, this derivative specifically photolabeled glutamyl endopeptidase, l-glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, and l-glutamine synthetase, all the enzymes exhibit high affinity toward acidic α-amino acids. In addition, N-acylsulfonamide group functioned as a cleavable linker in mild basic solution after a brief N-alkylation. Either the multifunctional nature or the simple structure of this acidic α-amino acid surrogate would be useful as versatile photoreactive building block.     

A simple route to [11C]N-Me labeling of aminosuberic acid for proof of feasibility imaging of the xC− transporter

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a variety of conditions, including cancer, heart failure, diabetes, neurodegeneration and other diseases. A potential biomarker for oxidative stress is the cystine/glutamate transporter, system x_C⁻. l-Aminosuberic acid (l-ASu) has been identified as a system x_C⁻ substrate. Here we report a facile method for [¹¹C]N-Me labeling of l-ASu, automation of the radiochemical process, and preliminary PET imaging with EL4 tumor bearing mice. The results demonstrate uptake in the tumor above background, warranting further studies on the use of radiolabeled analogs of l-ASu as a PET imaging agent for system x_C⁻.     

Measurements of the gas temperature in an oxygen plasma by spectroscopy of the O2( b 1Σ g+ ) → O2( X 3Σ g? ) transition

A method for measuring the gas temperature in an oxygen plasma by spectroscopy of the electronic transition from the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) metastable state of molecular oxygen into the O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) ground state is considered in detail. The method is verified experimentally for the plasma of dc glow discharge in pure oxygen. It is shown that the gas temperature can be determined by analyzing high-resolution spectra of the P branch of this transition, no matter whether its fine structure (^P P and ^P Q branches) is resolved or masked, provided that the rotational structure of the spectrum is resolved. The feasibility of the method proposed in 1999 by P. Maco and P. Veis for determining the gas temperature from the ratio between the intensity maxima of the R and P branches of the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) → O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) transition in a poorly resolved spectrum was studied experimentally. It is shown that, in order to use this method, it is necessary to know the spectrograph instrumental function. The effect of the spatial inhomogeneity of the temperature and concentration of O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) molecules on the accuracy of integral (over the plasma volume) measurements of the gas temperature is investigated using spatially resolved spectroscopy of the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) → O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) transition. It is shown that precise measurements of the temperature require that the optical measurement system be thoroughly adjusted in order for the temperature and concentration of the emitting particles to vary insignificantly over the optically selected volume. Original Russian Text ? S.M. Zyryanov, D.V. Lopaev, 2007, published in Fizika Plazmy, 2007, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 563–574.     

Conversion of iodine to fluorine-18 based on iodinated chalcone and evaluation for β-amyloid PET imaging

In the amyloid cascade hypothesis, β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques is one of the major pathological biomarkers in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. We report the synthesis and evaluation of novel radiofluorinated chalcones, [¹⁸F]4-dimethylamino-4′-fluoro-chalcone ([¹⁸F]DMFC) and [¹⁸F]4′-fluoro-4-methylamino-chalcone ([¹⁸F]FMC), as Aβ imaging probes. The conversion of iodine directly introduced to the chalcone backbone into fluorine was successfully carried out by ¹⁸F-labeling via the corresponding boronate precursors, achieving the direct introduction of fluorine-18 into the chalcone backbone to prepare [¹⁸F]DMFC and [¹⁸F]FMC. In a biodistribution study using normal mice, [¹⁸F]DMFC and [¹⁸F]FMC showed a higher initial uptake (4.43 and 5.47% ID/g at 2?min postinjection, respectively) into and more rapid clearance (0.52 and 0.66% ID/g at 30?min postinjection, respectively) from the brain than a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Aβ imaging agent ([¹⁸F]Florbetapir), meaning the improvement of the probability of detecting Aβ plaques and the reduction of non-specific binding in the brain. In the in vitro binding studies using aggregates of recombinant Aβ peptides, [¹⁸F]DMFC and [¹⁸F]FMC showed high binding affinity to recombinant Aβ aggregates at the K_d values of 4.47 and 6.50?nM, respectively. In the in vitro autoradiography (ARG) experiment with AD brain sections, [¹⁸F]DMFC and [¹⁸F]FMC markedly accumulated only in a region with abundant Aβ plaques, indicating that they clearly recognized human Aβ plaques in vitro. These encouraging results suggest that [¹⁸F]DMFC and [¹⁸F]FMC may be promising PET probes for the detection of an amyloid pathology and the early diagnosis of AD with marked accuracy.     

Evaluation of 18F-labeled exendin(9-39) derivatives targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor for pancreatic β-cell imaging

β-cell mass (BCM) is known to be decreased in subjects with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Quantitative analysis for BCM would be useful for understanding how T2D progresses and how BCM affects treatment efficacy and for earlier diagnosis of T2D and development of new therapeutic strategies. However, a noninvasive method to measure BCM has not yet been developed.We developed four ¹⁸F-labeled exendin(9-39) derivatives for β-cell imaging by PET: [¹⁸F]FB9-Ex(9-39), [¹⁸F]FB12-Ex(9-39), [¹⁸F]FB27-Ex(9-39), and [¹⁸F]FB40-Ex(9-39). Affinity to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was evaluated with dispersed islet cells of ddY mice. Uptake of exendin(9-39) derivatives in the pancreas as well as in other organs was evaluated by a biodistribution study. Small-animal PET study was performed after injecting [¹⁸F]FB40-Ex(9-39).FB40-Ex(9-39) showed moderate affinity to the GLP-1R. Among all of the derivatives, [¹⁸F]FB40-Ex(9-39) resulted in the highest uptake of radioactivity in the pancreas 30?min after injection. Moreover, it showed significantly less radioactivity accumulated in the liver and kidney, resulting in an overall increase in the pancreas-to-organ ratio. In the PET imaging study, pancreas was visualized at 30?min after injection of [¹⁸F]FB40-Ex(9-39).[¹⁸F]FB40-Ex(9-39) met the basic requirements for an imaging probe for GLP-1R in pancreatic β-cells. Further enhancement of pancreatic uptake and specific binding to GLP-1R will lead to a clear visualization of pancreatic β-cells.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 18F-labeled mitiglinide derivatives as positron emission tomography tracers for β-cell imaging

Measuring changes in β-cell mass in vivo during progression of diabetes mellitus is important for understanding the pathogenesis, facilitating early diagnosis, and developing novel therapeutics for this disease. However, a non-invasive method has not been developed. A novel series of mitiglinide derivatives (o-FMIT, m-FMIT and p-FMIT; FMITs) were synthesized and their binding affinity for the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of pancreatic islets were evaluated by inhibition studies. (+)-(S)-o-FMIT had the highest affinity of our synthesized FMITs (IC₅₀ = 1.8 μM). (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT was obtained with radiochemical yield of 18% by radiofluorination of racemic precursor 7, hydrolysis, and optical resolution with chiral HPLC; its radiochemical purity was >99%. In biodistribution experiments using normal mice, (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT showed 1.94 ± 0.42% ID/g of pancreatic uptake at 5 min p.i., and decreases in radioactivity in the liver (located close to the pancreas) was relatively rapid. Ex vivo autoradiography experiments using pancreatic sections confirmed accumulation of (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT in pancreatic β-cells. These results suggest that (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT meets the basic requirements for an radiotracer, and could be a candidate positron emission tomography tracer for in vivo imaging of pancreatic β-cells.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel spin labeled 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives

Eighteen novel spin-labeled 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines (A-549, DU-145, KB and KBvin). Most of the derivatives showed more significant cytotoxicity than that of the parent compound GA. The best compound, 6j, with a tryptophan amino moiety and piperidine nitroxyl radical showed GI₅₀ values of 13.7–15.0 μM, and was fivefold more potent than GA. In a mechanism of action study, compound 7a was confirmed as a 20S proteasome inhibitor in both in vitro and cell-based assays. These findings support further optimization efforts based on 18β-GA as a lead compound to develop potential anticancer drug candidates.     

Potential difference responses due to K+, Na+ and Cl− changes in Bullfrog antrum with and without HCO3−

The effect of changing [K⁺], [Na⁺] and [Cl^?] in nutrient solution was studied in bullfrog antrum with and without HCO₃^? in nutrient. In 25 mM HCO₃^? (95% O₂/5% CO₂) and in zero HCO₃^? (100% O₂), nutrient pH was maintained at 7.3. Changing from 4 to 40 mM K⁺ or from 81 to 8.1 mM Cl^? gave a decrease 10 min later in transmucosal PD (nutrient became more negative) — a normal response. These responses were less in zero than in 25 mM HCO₃^?. A decrease from 102 to 8 mM Na⁺ decreased PD (anomalous response of electrogenic NaCl symport). This effect was attenuated or eliminated in zero HCO₃^?. In contrast, change from 4 to 40 mM K⁺ gave initial anomalous PD response and change from 102 to 8 mM Na⁺, initial normal PD response with either zero or 25 mM HCO₃^?. Both responses were associated with (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase pump and were greater in zero than in 25 mM HCO₃^?. Initial PD increases in zero HCO₃^? are explained as due to increase in the resistance of passive conductance and/or NaCl symport pathways. Thus, removal of HCO₃^? modifies conductance pathways of nutrient membrane.     

The accumulation of superoxide radical during the aerobic action of xanthine oxidase A requiem for H2O4−

The action of xanthine oxidase upon acetaldehyde or xanthine at pH 10.2 has been shown to be accompanied by substantial accumulation of O₂^? during the first few minutes of the reaction. H₂O₂ decreases this accumulation of O₂^? presumably because of the Haber-Weiss reaction ($\text{H}{}_2\text{O}{}_2\text{+}\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{→}\text{OH}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{+}\text{OH}\text{+}\text{O}{}_2$) and very small amounts of superoxide dismutase eliminate it. This accumulation of O₂^? was demonstrated in terms of a burst of reduction of cytochrome $\text{c}$, seen when the latter compound was added after aerobic preincubation of xanthine oxidase with its substrate. The kinetic peculiarities of the luminescence seen in the presence of luminol, which previously led to the proposal of H₂O₄^?, can now be satisfactorily explained entirely on the basis of known radical intermediates.     

Synthesis and evaluation of (−)- and (+)-[11C]galanthamine as PET tracers for cerebral acetylcholinesterase imaging

Improved radiopharmaceuticals for imaging cerebral acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are needed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, ¹¹C-labeled (−)-galanthamine and its enantiomers were synthesized as novel agents for imaging the localization and activity of AChE by positron emission tomography (PET). C-11 was incorporated into (−)- and (+)-[¹¹C]galanthamine by N-methylation of norgalanthamines with [¹¹C]methyl triflate. Simple accumulation of ¹¹C in the brain was measured in an in vivo biodistribution study using mice, whilst donepezil was used as a blocking agent in analogous in vivo blocking studies. In vitro autoradiography of rat brain tissue was performed to investigate the distribution of (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine, and confirmed the results of PET studies in mice. The radiochemical yields of N-methylation of (−)- and (+)-norgalanthamines were 13.7% and 14.4%, respectively. The highest level of accumulation of ¹¹C in the brains of mice was observed at 10 min after administration (2.1% ID/g). Intravenous pretreatment with donepezil resulted in a 30% decrease in accumulation of (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine in the striatum; however, levels in the cerebellum were unchanged. In contrast, use of (+)-[¹¹C]galanthamine led to accumulation of radioactivity in the striatum equal to that in the cerebellum, and these levels were unaffected by pretreatment with donepezil. In in vitro autoradiography of regional radioactive signals of brain sections showed that pretreatment with either (−)-galanthamine or donepezil blocked the binding of (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine to the striatum, while sagittal PET imaging revealed accumulation of (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine in the brain. These results indicate that (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine showed specific binding to AChE, whereas (+)-[¹¹C]-galanthamine accumulated in brain tissue by non-specific binding. Thus, optically pure (−)-[¹¹C]galanthamine could be a useful PET tracer for imaging cerebral AChE.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a [18F]formyl–Met–Leu–Phe derivative: A positron emission tomography imaging probe for bacterial infections

The tripeptide formyl–Met–Leu–Phe (fMLF) is a prototype of N-formylated chemotactic peptides for neutrophils owing to its ability to bind and activate the G protein-coupled formyl peptide receptor (FPR). Here, we developed an ¹⁸F-labeled fMLF derivative targeting FPR as a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging probe for bacterial infections. The study demonstrates that the fMLF derivative fMLFXYk(FB)k (X?=?Nle) has a high affinity for FPR (Ki?=?0.62?±?0.13?nM). The radiochemical yield and purity of [¹⁸F]fMLFXYk(FB)k were 16% and >96%, respectively. The in vivo biodistribution study showed that [¹⁸F]fMLFXYk(FB)k uptake was higher in the bacterial infected region than in the non-infected region. We observed considerably higher infection-to-muscle ratio of 4.6 at 60?min after [¹⁸F]fMLFXYk(FB)k injection. Furthermore, small-animal PET imaging studies suggested that [¹⁸F]fMLFXYk(FB)k uptake in the bacterial infected region was clearly visualized 60?min after injection.     

Activation of phosphates to substitution(II). A comparison of catalyses initiated directly by VO2+ and by oxidation of VO2+ by MnO4−

Vanadium(V)-induced hydrolyses of triphosphates in aqueous solutions were initiated in two ways: (1) oxidizing vanadium(IV)-polyphosphate complexes to produce metastable vanadium(V) complexes; (2) forming VO₂⁺-polyphosphate complexes by acidification of solutions of VO₄^3? and polyphosphate to yield equilibrium mixtures of V(V), polyphosphate, and their complexes. Hydrolysis rates for the complexes formed at 40°C ? T ? 25°C follow the order V₂PPP_i = 2(VPPP_i) ≌ (VO₂) ATP ? V(PPP_i)₂ ≌ PPP_i. The hydrolysis of (V(V))₂(PPP_i) was not very temperature sensitive; the activation enthalpy appears small and the activation entropy large and negative. Mechanistic studies reveal that requirements for the activated state in metal-ion-catalyzed hydrolysis of polyphosphates include monodentate polyphosphate ligated cis to H₂O or OH^? in the coordination sphere of the metal ion:

     

Synthesis and evaluation of ethyleneoxylated and allyloxylated chalcone derivatives for imaging of amyloid β plaques by SPECT

We report radioiodinated chalcone derivatives as new SPECT imaging probes for amyloid β (Aβ) plaques. The monoethyleneoxy derivative 2 and allyloxy derivative 8 showed a high affinity for Aβ(1–42) aggregates with K_i values of 24 and 4.5 nM, respectively. Fluorescent imaging demonstrated that 2 and 8 clearly stained thioflavin-S positive Aβ plaques in the brain sections of Tg2576 transgenic mice. In vitro autoradiography revealed that [¹²⁵I]2 displayed no clear accumulation toward Aβ plaques in the brain sections of Tg2576 mice, whereas the accumulation pattern of [¹²⁵I]8 matched with the presence of Aβ plaques both in the brain sections of Tg2576 mice and an AD patient. In biodistribution studies using normal mice, [¹²⁵I]2 showed preferable in vivo pharmacokinetics (4.82%ID/g at 2 min and 0.45%ID/g at 60 min), while [¹²⁵I]8 showed only a modest brain uptake (1.62%ID/g at 2 min) with slow clearance (0.56%ID/g at 60 min). [¹²⁵I]8 showed prospective binding properties for Aβ plaques, although further structural modifications are needed to improve the blood brain barrier permeability and washout from brain.     

Synthesis and evaluation of [¹¹C]Cimbi-806 as a potential PET ligand for 5-HT₇ receptor imaging

2-(2',6'-Dimethoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine has been identified as a potent ligand for the serotonin 7 (5-HT(7)) receptor. In this study, we describe the synthesis, radiolabeling and in vivo evaluation of [(11)C]2-(2',6'-dimethoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine ([(11)C]Cimbi-806) as a radioligand for imaging brain 5-HT(7) receptors with positron emission tomography (PET). Precursor and reference compound was synthesized and subsequent (11)C-labelling with [(11)C]methyltriflate produced [(11)C]Cimbi-806 in specific activities ranging from 50 to 300 GBq/μmol. Following intravenous injection, brain uptake and distribution of [(11)C]Cimbi-806 was assessed with PET in Danish Landrace pigs. The time-activity curves revealed high brain uptake in thalamic and striatal regions (SUV ～2.5) and kinetic modeling resulted in distribution volumes (V(T)) ranging from 6 mL/cm(3) in the cerebellum to 12 mL/cm(3) in the thalamus. Pretreatment with the 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist SB-269970 did not result in any significant changes in [(11)C]Cimbi-806 binding in any of the analyzed regions. Despite the high brain uptake and relevant distribution pattern, the absence of appropriate in vivo blocking with a 5-HT(7) receptor selective compounds renders the conclusion that [(11)C]Cimbi-806 is not an appropriate PET radioligand for imaging the 5-HT(7) receptor in vivo.