A new tripodal tris(hydroxypyridinone) bifunctional chelator for gallium allows easy production of (68)Ga-labelled proteins rapidly under mild conditions in high yields at exceptionally high specific activity and low concentration.

High radiolabeling efficiency, preferably to high specific activity, and good stability of the radioimmunoconjugate are essential features for a successful immunoconjugate for imaging or therapy. In this study, the radiolabeling efficiency, in vitro stability and biodistribution of immunoconjugates with eight different bifunctional chelators labeled with 64 Cu were compared. The anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab, was conjugated to four macrocyclic bifunctional chelators (p-SCN-Bn-DOTA, p- , three DTPA derivatives (p-SCN-Bn-DTPA, p-SCN-CHX-A"-DTPA and ITC-2B3M-DTPA) and a macrobicyclic hexamine ("sarcophagine") chelator (sar-CO 2 H) = (1-NH 2 -8-NHCO(CH 2 ) 3 CO 2 H)sar where sar = sarcophagine = 3, 6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane). Radiolabeling efficiency under various conditions, in vitro stability in serum at 37°C and in vivo biodistribution and imaging in normal mice over 48 h were studied. All chelators except sar-CO 2 H were conjugated to rituximab by thiourea bond formation with an average of 4.9 +/− 0.9 chelators per antibody molecule. Sar-CO 2 H was conjugated to rituximab by amide bond formation with 0.5 chelators per antibody molecule. Efficiencies of 64 Cu radiolabeling were dependent on the concentration of immunoconjugate. Notably, the 64 Cu-NOTA-rituximab conjugate demonstrated highest radiochemical yield (95%) under very dilute conditions (31 nM NOTA-rituximab conjugate). Similarly, sar-CO-rituximab, containing 1/10 th the number of chelators per antibody compared to other conjugates retained high labeling efficiency (98 %) at an antibody concentration of 250 nM. In contrast to the radioimmunoconjugates containing DTPA derivatives, which demonstrated poor serum stability, all macrocyclic radioimmunoconjugates were very stable in serum with <6 % dissociation of 64 Cu over 48 h. In vivo biodistribution profiles in normal female Balb/C mice were similar for all the macrocyclic radioimmunoconjugates with most of the activity remaining in the blood pool up to 48 h. Whilst all the macrocyclic bifunctional chelators are suitable for molecular imaging using 64 Cu-labeled antibody conjugates, NOTA and sar-CO 2 H show significant advantages over the others in that they can be radiolabeled rapidly at room temperature, under dilute conditions resulting in high specific activity. Europe PMC Funders Group

PurposeThe human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) is a well-established target in thyroid disease and reporter gene imaging using gamma emitters 123I-iodide, 131I-iodide and 99mTc-pertechnetate. However, no PET imaging agent is routinely available. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate 18F-labelled tetrafluoroborate ([18F]TFB) for PET imaging of hNIS.Methods[18F]TFB was prepared by isotopic exchange of BF4− with [18F]fluoride in hot hydrochloric acid and purified using an alumina column. Its identity, purity and stability in serum were determined by HPLC, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and mass spectrometry. Its interaction with NIS was assessed in vitro using FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells, with and without stimulation by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), in the presence and absence of perchlorate. Biodistribution and PET imaging studies were performed using BALB/c mice, with and without perchlorate inhibition.Results[18F]TFB was readily prepared with specific activity of 10 GBq/mg. It showed rapid accumulation in FRTL-5 cells that was stimulated by TSH and inhibited by perchlorate, and rapid specific accumulation in vivo in thyroid (SUV = 72 after 1 h) and stomach that was inhibited 95% by perchlorate.Conclusion[18F]TFB is an easily prepared PET imaging agent for rodent NIS and should be evaluated for hNIS PET imaging in humans.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00259-010-1523-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The NanoPET/CT represents the latest generation of commercial preclinical PET/CT systems. This article presents a performance evaluation of the PET component of the system according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU-4 2008 standard. Methods: The NanoPET/CT consists of 12 lutetium yttrium orthosilicate:cerium modular detectors forming 1 ring, with 9.5-cm axial coverage and a 16-cm animal port. Each detector crystal is 1.12 · 1.12 · 13 mm, and 1 module contains 81 · 39 of these crystals. An optical light guide transmits the scintillation light to the flat-panel multianode positionsensitive photomultiplier tubes. Analog-to-digital converter cards and a field-programmable gate array-based data-collecting card provide the readout. Spatial resolution, sensitivity, counting rate capabilities, and image quality were evaluated in accordance with the NEMA NU-4 standard. Energy and temporal resolution measurements and a mouse imaging study were performed in addition to the standard. Results: Energy resolution was 19% at 511 keV. The spatial resolution, measured as full width at half maximum on single-slice rebinning/filtered backprojection-reconstructed images, approached 1 mm on the axis and remained below 2.5 mm in the central 5-cm transaxial region both in the axial center and at one-quarter field of view. The maximum absolute sensitivity for a point source at the center of the field of view was 7.7%. The maximum noise equivalent counting rates were 430 kcps at 36 MBq and 130 kcps at 27 MBq for the mouse-and rat-sized phantoms, respectively. The uniformity and recovery coefficients were measured with the image-quality phantom, giving good-quality images. In a mouse study with an 18 F-labeled thyroid-specific tracer, the 2 lobes of the thyroid were clearly distinguishable, despite the small size of this organ. The flexible readout system allowed experiments to be performed in an efficient manner, and the system remained stable throughout. Conclusion: The large number of detector crystals, arranged with a fine pitch, results in excellent spatial resolution, which is the best reported for currently available commercial systems. The absolute sensitivity is high over the field of view. Combined with the excellent image quality, these features make the NanoPET/CT a powerful tool for preclinical research.Key Words: NanoPET; small-animal PET scanner; performance evaluation; instrumentation; molecular imaging TheNanoPET/ CT (Bioscan Inc., manufactured by Mediso Ltd.) represents the latest generation of commercial small-animal PET/CT systems incorporating state-of-theart materials and techniques. The major aim of the development was to provide a high-resolution, high-sensitivity PET/CT device for preclinical research in a compact design meeting industrial quality standards. This article evaluates the performance parameters of the NanoPET/CT scanner, based on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU-4 2008 standard (1). The standard involves measurements of the spatial resolution; sc...

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive neuronal loss and cognitive decline. The lack of reliable and objective diagnostic markers for AD hampers early disease detection and treatment. Growing evidence supports the existence of a dysregulation in brain copper trafficking in AD. The aim of this study was to investigate brain copper trafficking in a transgenic mouse model of AD by PET imaging with 64 Cu, to determine its potential as a diagnostic biomarker of the disorder. Methods: Brain copper trafficking was evaluated in 6-to 8-mo-old TASTPM transgenic mice and age-matched wild-type controls using the 64 Cu bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex 64 Cu-GTSM (glyoxalbis(N 4 -methyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II)), which crosses the blood-brain barrier and releases 64 Cu bioreductively into cells. Animals were intravenously injected with 64 Cu-GTSM and imaged at 0-30 min and 24-25 h after injection. The images were analyzed by atlas-based quantification and texture analysis. Regional distribution of 64 Cu in the brain 24 h after injection was also evaluated via ex vivo autoradiography and compared with amyloid-β plaque deposition in TASTPM mice. Results: Compared with controls, in TASTPM mice PET image analysis demonstrated significantly increased (by a factor of ∼1.3) brain concentration of 64 Cu at 30 min (P , 0.01) and 24 h (P , 0.05) after injection of the tracer and faster (by a factor of ∼5) 64 Cu clearance from the brain (P , 0.01). Atlas-based quantification and texture analysis revealed significant differences in regional brain uptake of 64 Cu and PET image heterogeneity between the 2 groups of mice. Ex vivo autoradiography showed that regional brain distribution of 64 Cu at 24 h after injection did not correlate with amyloid-β plaque distribution in TASTPM mice. Conclusion: The trafficking of 64 Cu in the brain after administration of 64 Cu-GTSM is significantly altered by AD-like pathology in the TASTPM mouse model, suggesting that 64 Cu-GTSM PET imaging warrants clinical evaluation as a diagnostic tool for AD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.

Placental ischemic disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes are frequently observed in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Despite the administration of conventional antithrombotic treatment a significant number of women continue to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, with uncertain prevention and management. Efforts to develop effective pharmacological strategies for refractory obstetric APS cases will be of significant clinical benefit for both mothers and fetuses. Although the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is increasingly used to treat pregnant women with APS, little is known about its efficacy and mechanism of action of HCQ. Because complement activation plays a crucial and causative role in placental ischemia and abnormal fetal brain development in APS we hypothesised that HCQ prevents these pregnancy complications through inhibition of complement activation. Using a mouse model of obstetric APS that closely resembles the clinical condition, we found that HCQ prevented fetal death and the placental metabolic changes -measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in APS-mice. Using In labelled antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) we identified the placenta and the fetal brain as the main organ targets in APS-mice. Using this same method, we found that HCQ does not inhibit aPL binding to tissues as was previously suggested from in vitro studies. While HCQ did not affect aPL binding to fetal brain it prevented fetal brain abnormal cortical development. HCQ prevented complement activation in vivo and in vitro. Complement C5a levels in serum samples from APS patients and APS-mice were lower after treatment with HCQ while the antibodies titres remained unchanged. HCQ prevented not only placental insufficiency but also abnormal fetal brain development in APS. By inhibiting complement activation, HCQ might also be an effective antithrombotic therapy.

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 were stabilised by depositing an Al(OH)3 layer via a hydrolysis process. The particles displayed excellent colloidal stability in water and a high affinity to [18F]-fluoride and bisphosphonate groups. A high radiolabeling efficiency, 97% for 18F-fluoride and 100% for 64Cu-bisphosphonate conjugate, was achieved by simply incubating NPs with radioactivity solution at room temperature for 5 min. The properties of particles were strongly dependant on the thickness and hardness of the Al(OH)3 layer which could in turn be controlled by the hydrolysis method. The application of these Al(OH)3 coated magnetic NPs in molecular imaging has been further explored. The results demonstrated that these NPs are potential candidates as dual modal probes for MR and PET. In vivo PET imaging showed a slow release of 18F from NPs, but no sign of efflux of 64Cu.

A series of metal-chelating lipid conjugates has been designed and synthesized. Each member of the series bears a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) macrocycle attached to the lipid head group, using short n-ethylene glycol (n-EG) spacers of varying length. Liposomes incorporating these lipids, chelated to Gd3+, 64Cu2+, or 111In3+, and also incorporating fluorescent lipids, have been prepared, and their application in optical, magnetic resonance (MR) and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging of cellular uptake and distribution investigated in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that these multimodal liposomes can be used as functional MR contrast agents as well as radionuclide tracers for SPECT, and that they can be optimized for each application. When shielded liposomes were formulated incorporating 50% of a lipid with a short n-EG spacer, to give nanoparticles with a shallow but even coverage of n-EG, they showed good cellular internalization in a range of tumour cells, compared to the limited cellular uptake of conventional shielded liposomes formulated with 7% 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[carboxy(polyethyleneglycol)2000] (DSPE-PEG2000). Moreover, by matching the depth of n-EG coverage to the length of the n-EG spacers of the DOTA lipids, we have shown that similar distributions and blood half lives to DSPE-PEG2000-stabilized liposomes can be achieved. The ability to tune the imaging properties and distribution of these liposomes allows for the future development of a flexible tri-modal imaging agent.