2-((1E,3E)-4-(6-( 11 C-methylamino)pyridin-3-yl)buta-1,3-dienyl) benzo [d]thiazol-6-ol ( 11 C-PBB3) is a clinically useful PET probe that we developed for in vivo imaging of tau pathology in the human brain. To ensure the availability of this probe among multiple PET facilities, in the present study we established protocols for the radiosynthesis and quality control of 11 C-PBB3 and for the characterization of its photoisomerization, biodistribution, and metabolism. Methods: 11 C-PBB3 was synthesized by reaction of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl desmethyl precursor (1) with 11 C-methyl iodide using potassium hydroxide as a base, followed by deprotection. Photoisomerization of 11 C-PBB3 under fluorescent light was determined. The biodistribution and metabolite analysis of 11 C-PBB3 was determined in mice using the dissection method. Results: 11 C-PBB3 was synthesized with 15.4% ± 2.8% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected, n 5 50) based on the cyclotron-produced 11 C-CO 2 and showed an averaged synthesis time of 35 min from the end of bombardment. The radiochemical purity and specific activity of 11 C-PBB3 were 98.0% ± 2.3% and 180.2 ± 44.3 GBq/μmol, respectively, at the end of synthesis (n 5 50). 11 C-PBB3 showed rapid photoisomerization, and its radiochemical purity decreased to approximately 50% at 10 min after exposure to fluorescent light. After the fluorescent light was switched off, 11 C-PBB3 retained more than 95% radiochemical purity over 60 min. A suitable brain uptake (1.92% injected dose/g tissue) of radioactivity was observed at 1 min after the probe injection, which was followed by rapid washout from the brain tissue. More than 70% of total radioactivity in the mouse brain homogenate at 5 min after injection represented the unchanged 11 C-PBB3, despite its rapid metabolism in the plasma. Conclusion: 11 C-PBB3 was produced with sufficient radioactivity and high quality, demonstrating its clinical utility. The present results of radiosynthesis, photoisomerization, biodistribution, and metabolite analysis could be helpful for the reliable production and application of 11 C-PBB3 in diverse PET facilities.

We evaluated two F-fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl] acetamide ( 18 F-FEAC) and N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-[7,8-dihydro-7-(2-18 F-fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl]acetamide ( 18 F-FEDAC), by investigating their kinetics in the monkey brain and by performing in vitro and in vivo imaging of translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) in the infarcted rat brain. Methods: Dissection was used to determine the distribution of 18 F-FEAC and 18 F-FEDAC in mice, whereas PET was used for a monkey. With each 18 F-ligand, in vitro autoradiography and small-animal PET were performed on infarcted rat brains. Results: 18 F-FEAC and 18 F-FEDAC had a high uptake of radioactivity in the heart, lung, and other TSPO-rich organs of mice. In vitro autoradiography showed that the binding of each 18 F-ligand significantly increased on the ipsilateral side of rat brains, compared with the contralateral side. In a smallanimal PET study, PET summation images showed the contrast of radioactivity between ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Pretreatment with TSPO ligands N-benzyl-N-ethyl-2-(7-methyl-8-oxo-2-phenyl-7,8-dihydro-9H-purin-9-yl) acetamide (AC-5216) or (R)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxamide (PK11195) diminished the difference in uptake between the 2 sides. The PET study showed that each 18 F-ligand had uptake and distribution patterns in the monkey brain similar to those of 11 C-AC-5216. After injection into the monkey during PET, the uptake of each 18 F-ligand in the brain decreased over time whereas 11 C-AC-5216 did not. In the brain homogenate of mice, the percentage of the fraction corresponding to intact 18 F-FEAC and 18 F-FEDAC was 68% and 75% at 30 min after injection. In monkey plasma, each 18 F-ligand was scarcely metabolized until the end of the PET scan. Conclusion: 18 F-FEAC and 18 F-FEDAC produced in vitro and in vivo signals allowing visualization of the increase in TSPO expression in the infarcted rat brain. The kinetics of both 18 F-ligands in the monkey brain and tolerance for in vivo metabolism suggested their usefulness for imaging studies of TSPO in primates.

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Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a 33 kDa member of the serine hydrolase superfamily that preferentially degrades 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) to arachidonic acid in the endocannabinoid system. Inhibition of MAGL is not only of interest for probing the cannabinoid pathway but also as a therapeutic and diagnostic target for neuroinflammation. Limited attempts have been made to image MAGL in vivo and a suitable PET ligand for this target has yet to be identified and is urgently sought to guide small molecule drug development in this pathway. Herein we synthesized and evaluated the physiochemical properties of an array of eleven sulfonamido-based carbamates and ureas with a series of terminal aryl moieties, linkers and leaving groups. The most potent compounds were a novel MAGL inhibitor, N-((1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-carbonyl)piperidin-4-yl) methyl)-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide (TZPU; IC50 = 35.9 nM), and the known inhibitor 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 4-(((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamido) methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (SAR127303; IC50 = 39.3 nM), which were also shown to be selective for MAGL over fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2). Both of these compounds were radiolabeled with carbon-11 via [11C]COCl2, followed by comprehensive ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo PET imaging studies in normal rats to determine their brain permeability, specificity, clearance and metabolism. Whereas TZPU did not show adequate specificity to warrant further evaluation, [11C]SAR127303 was advanced for preliminary PET neuroimaging studies in nonhuman primate. The tracer showed good brain permeability (ca. 1 SUV) and heterogeneous regional brain distribution which is consistent with the distribution of MAGL.

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PurposeThe translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) is highly expressed on the bronchial and bronchiole epithelium, submucosal glands in intrapulmonary bronchi, pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages in human lung. This study aimed to perform positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of lung inflammation with [18F]FEDAC, a specific TSPO radioligand, and to determine cellular sources enriching TSPO expression in the lung.MethodsAn acute lung injury model was prepared by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rat. Uptake of radioactivity in the rat lungs was measured with small-animal PET after injection of [18F]FEDAC. Presence of TSPO was examined in the lung tissue using Western blot and immunohistochemical assays.ResultsThe uptake of [18F]FEDAC increased in the lung with the progress of inflammation by treatment with LPS. Pretreatment with a TSPO-selective ligand PK11195 showed a significant decrease in the lung uptake of [18F]FEDAC due to competitive binding to TSPO. TSPO expression was elevated in the inflamed lung section and its level responded to the [18F]FEDAC uptake and severity of inflammation. Increase of TSPO expression was mainly found in the neutrophils and macrophages of inflamed lungs.ConclusionFrom this study we conclude that PET with [18F]FEDAC may be a useful tool for imaging TSPO expression and evaluating progress of lung inflammation. Study on human lung using [18F]FEDAC-PET is promising.

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We designed three novel positron emission tomography ligands, N-(4-(6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-4-[(11)C]methoxy-N-methylbenzamide ([(11)C]6), 4-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy-N-[4-[6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-methylbenzamide ([(18)F]7), and 4-[(18)F]fluoropropoxy-N-[4-[6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-methylbenzamide ([(18)F]8), for imaging metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in rodent brain. Unlabeled compound 6 was synthesized by benzoylation of 4-pyrimidinyl-2-methylaminothiazole 10, followed by reaction with isopropylamine. Removal of the methyl group in 6 gave phenol precursor 12 for radiosynthesis. Two fluoroalkoxy analogues 7 and 8 were prepared by reacting 12 with tosylates 13 and 14. Radioligands [(11)C]6, [(18)F]7, and [(18)F]8 were synthesized by O-[(11)C]methylation or [(18)F]fluoroalkylation of 12. Compound 6 showed high in vitro binding affinity for mGluR1, whereas 7 and 8 had weak affinity. Autoradiography using rat brain sections showed that [(11)C]6 binding is aligned with the reported distribution of mGluR1 with high specific binding in the cerebellum and thalamus. PET study with [(11)C]6 in rats showed high brain uptake and a similar distribution pattern to that in autoradiography, indicating the usefulness of [(11)C]6 for imaging brain mGluR1.