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Design, Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation in Mice of a Brain-Penetrant ¹⁸F-Labelled σ₂ Receptor Ligand.

ABSTRACT: The σ₂ receptor (transmembrane protein 97), which is involved in cholesterol homeostasis, is of high relevance for neoplastic processes. The upregulated expression of σ₂ receptors in cancer cells and tissue in combination with the antiproliferative potency of σ₂ receptor ligands motivates the research in the field of σ₂ receptors for the diagnosis and therapy of different types of cancer. Starting from the well described 2-(4-(1H-indol-1-yl)butyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline class of compounds, we synthesized a novel series of fluorinated derivatives bearing the F-atom at the aromatic indole/azaindole subunit. RM273 (2-[4-(6-fluoro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl)butyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline) was selected for labelling with ¹⁸F and evaluation regarding detection of σ₂ receptors in the brain by positron emission tomography. Initial metabolism and biodistribution studies of [¹⁸F]RM273 in healthy mice revealed promising penetration of the radioligand into the brain. Preliminary in vitro autoradiography on brain cryosections of an orthotopic rat glioblastoma model proved the potential of the radioligand to detect the upregulation of σ₂ receptors in glioblastoma cells compared to healthy brain tissue. The results indicate that the herein developed σ₂ receptor ligand [¹⁸F]RM273 has potential to assess by non-invasive molecular imaging the correlation between the availability of σ₂ receptors and properties of brain tumors such as tumor proliferation or resistance towards particular therapies.

SUBMITTER: Moldovan RP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8196714 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:INTRODUCTION:Our previous work demonstrated that the 99mTc renal tracer, 99mTc(CO)3(FEDA) (99mTc-1), has a rapid clearance comparable in rats to that of 131I-OIH, the radioactive gold standard for the measurement of effective renal plasma flow. The uncharged fluoroethyl pendant group of 99mTc-1 provides a route to the synthesis of a structurally analogous rhenium-tricarbonyl 18F renal imaging agent, Re(CO)3([18F]FEDA) (18F-1). Our goal was to develop an efficient one-step method for the preparation of 18F-1 and to compare its pharmacokinetic properties with those of 131I-OIH in rats. METHODS:18F-1 was prepared by the nucleophilic 18F-fluorination of its tosyl precursor. The labeled compound was isolated by HPLC and subsequently evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats using 131I-OIH as an internal control and by dynamic PET/CT imaging. Plasma protein binding (PPB) and erythrocyte uptake (RCB) were determined and the urine was analyzed for metabolites. RESULTS:18F-1 was efficiently prepared as a single species with high radiochemical purity (>99%) and it displayed high radiochemical stability in vitro and in vivo. PPB was 87% and RCB was 21%. Biodistribution studies confirmed rapid renal extraction and high specificity for renal excretion, comparable to that of 131I-OIH, with minimal hepatic/gastrointestinal elimination. The activity in the urine, as a percentage of 131I-OIH, was 92% and 95% at 10 and 60 min, respectively. All other organs (heart, spleen, lungs) showed a negligible tracer uptake (<0.4% ID). Dynamic microPET/CT imaging demonstrated rapid transit of 18F-1 through the kidneys and into the bladder; there was no demonstrable activity in bone verifying the absence of free [18F]fluoride. CONCLUSIONS:18F-1 exhibited a high specificity for the kidney, rapid renal excretion comparable to that of 131I-OIH and high in vivo radiochemical stability. Not only is 18F-1 a promising PET renal tracer, but it provides a route to the development of a pair of analogous 18F/99mTc renal imaging agents with almost identical structures and comparable pharmacokinetic properties. These promising in vivo results warrant subsequent evaluation in humans.

Project description:BackgroundMicrotubules (MTs) are critical for cell structure, function, and survival. MT instability may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis as evidenced by persistent negative regulation (phosphorylation) of the neuronal microtubule-associated protein tau. Hyperphosphorylated tau, not bound to MTs, forms intraneuronal pathology that correlates with dementia and can be tracked using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The contribution of MT instability in AD remains unknown, though it may be more proximal to neuronal dysfunction than tau accumulation. Our lab reported the first brain-penetrant MT-based PET ligand, [11C]MPC-6827, and its PET imaging with this ligand in normal rodents and non-human primates demonstrated high brain uptake and excellent pharmacokinetics. Target engagement and mechanism of action using in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo methods were evaluated here.MethodsIn vitro cell uptake assay was performed in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells with [11C]MPC-6827, with various MT stabilizing and destabilizing agents. To validate the in vitro results, wild type (WT) mice (n = 4) treated with a brain-penetrant MT stabilizing drug (EpoD) underwent microPET/CT brain imaging with [11C]MPC-6827. To determine the influence of tau protein on radiotracer binding in the absence of protein accumulation, we utilized tau knockout (KO) mice. In vivo microPET imaging, ex vivo biodistribution, and autoradiography studies were performed in tau KO and WT mice (n = 6/group) with [11C]MPC-6827. Additionally, α, β, and acetylated tubulin levels in both brain samples were determined using commercially available cytoskeleton-based MT kit and capillary electrophoresis immunoblotting assays.ResultsCell uptake demonstrated higher radioactive uptake with MT destabilizing agents and lower uptake with stabilizing agents compared to untreated cells. Similarly, acute treatment with EpoD in WT mice decreased [11C]MPC-6827 brain uptake, assessed with microPET/CT imaging. Compared to WT mice, tau KO mice expressed significantly lower β tubulin, which contains the MPC-6827 binding domain, and modestly lower levels of acetylated α tubulin, indicative of unstable MTs. In vivo imaging revealed significantly higher [11C]MPC-6827 uptake in tau KOs than WT, particularly in AD-relevant brain regions known to express high levels of tau. Ex vivo post-PET biodistribution and autoradiography confirmed the in vivo results.ConclusionsCollectively, our data indicate that [11C]MPC-6827 uptake inversely correlates with MT stability and may better reflect the absence of tau than total tubulin levels. Given the radiotracer binding does not require the presence of aggregated tau, we hypothesize that [11C]MPC-6827 may be particularly useful in preclinical stages of AD prior to tau deposition. Our study provides immediate clarity on high uptake of the MT-based radiotracer in AD brains, which directly informs clinical utility in MT/tau-based PET imaging studies.

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Design, Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation in Mice of a Brain-Penetrant ¹⁸F-Labelled σ₂ Receptor Ligand.

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Design, Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation in Mice of a Brain-Penetrant 18F-Labelled σ2 Receptor Ligand.

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Design, Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation in Mice of a Brain-Penetrant ¹⁸F-Labelled σ₂ Receptor Ligand.