Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of 18F-Labeled Pyridaben Analogues for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with PET.

J Nucl Med. 2012 Feb 2;

Authors: Mou T, Zhao Z, Fang W, Peng C, Guo F, Liu B, Ma Y, Zhang X

Abstract
In this study the (18)F-labeled pyridaben analogs 2-tertbutyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy))benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one ((18)F-FP1OP) and 2-tertbutyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(2-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy))benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one ((18)F-FP3OP) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as potential myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agents with PET. METHODS: The tosylate labeling precursors of 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-tosyloxy-ethoxy))-benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one (OTs-P1OP), 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-(4-(2-(2-(2-tosyloxy-ethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy))-benzyloxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one (OTs-P3OP), and the corresponding nonradioactive compounds ((19)F-FP1OP and (19)F-FP3OP) were synthesized and characterized by infrared, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry analysis. (18)F-FP1OP and (18)F-FP3OP were obtained by 1-step nucleophilic substitution of tosyl with (18)F and evaluated as MPI agents in vitro (physicochemical properties, stability), ex vivo (autoradiography), and in vivo (toxicity and biodistribution in normal mice; cardiac PET in healthy Chinese mini swine and in acute myocardial infarction and chronic myocardial ischemia models). RESULTS: The total radiosynthesis time of both tracers, including final high-pressure liquid chromatography purification, was about 70-90 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yields were about 50%, and the radiochemical purities were more than 98% after purification. (18)F-FP1OP had lower hydrophilicity and higher water stability than that of (18)F-FP3OP. In biodistribution studies, both (18)F-FP1OP and (18)F-FP3OP had high heart uptake (31.13 ± 6.24 and 31.10 ± 3.72 percentage injected dose per gram at 2 min after injection, respectively) and high heart-to-liver, heart-to-lung, and heart-to-blood ratios at all time points after injection. Further autoradiography evaluation of (18)F-FP1OP showed that the heart uptake could be blocked effectively by rotenone or nonradioactive (19)F-FP1OP. Clear cardiac PET images of (18)F-FP1OP were obtained in healthy Chinese mini swine at 2, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection, and the uptake of perfusion deficit areas was much lower than in normal tissue in both acute myocardial infarction and chronic myocardial ischemia models. CONCLUSION: The (18)F-labeled pyridaben analogs reported in this study have high heart uptake and low background uptake in both the mouse model and the Chinese mini swine model. The tracer with the shorter radiolabeling side chain ((18)F-FP1OP) has better stability, faster clearance from the major organs, and a higher heart-to-liver ratio than the other tracer ((18)F-FP3OP). On the basis of the promising biologic properties, this mitochondrial complex I-targeted tracer ((18)F-FP1OP) is worthy to be developed as an MPI agent and to be compared with the other PET MPI agents in the future.

PMID: 22302832 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

In vivo detection of oxidation-specific epitopes in atherosclerotic lesions using biocompatible manganese molecular magnetic imaging probes.

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012 Feb 7;59(6):616-26

Authors: Briley-Saebo KC, Nguyen TH, Saeboe AM, Cho YS, Ryu SK, Volkava E, Dickson S, Leibundgut G, Weisner P, Green S, Casanada F, Miller YI, Shaw W, Witztum JL, Fayad ZA, Tsimikas S

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) efficacy of manganese [Mn(II)] molecular imaging probes targeted to oxidation-specific epitopes (OSE).
BACKGROUND: OSE are critical in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Gadolinium [Gd(III)]-based MRI agents can be associated with systemic toxicity. Mn is an endogenous, biocompatible, paramagnetic metal ion that has poor MR efficacy when chelated, but strong efficacy when released within cells.
METHODS: Multimodal Mn micelles were generated to contain rhodamine for confocal microscopy and conjugated with either the murine monoclonal IgG antibody MDA2 targeted to malondialdehyde (MDA)-lysine epitopes or the human single-chain Fv antibody fragment IK17 targeted to MDA-like epitopes ("targeted micelles"). Micelle formulations were characterized in vitro and in vivo, and their MR efficacy (9.4-T) evaluated in apolipoprotein-deficient (apoE(-/-)) and low-density lipoprotein receptor negative (LDLR(-/-)) mice (0.05 mmol Mn/kg dose) (total of 120 mice for all experiments). In vivo competitive inhibition studies were performed to evaluate target specificity. Untargeted, MDA2-Gd, and IK17-Gd micelles (0.075 mmol Gd/kg) were included as controls.
RESULTS: In vitro studies demonstrated that targeted Mn micelles accumulate in macrophages when pre-exposed to MDA-LDL with ∼10× increase in longitudinal relativity. Following intravenous injection, strong MR signal enhancement was observed 48 to 72 h after administration of targeted Mn micelles, with colocalization within intraplaque macrophages. Co-injection of free MDA2 with the MDA2-Mn micelles resulted in full suppression of MR signal in the arterial wall, confirming target specificity. Similar MR efficacy was noted in apoE(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) mice with aortic atherosclerosis. No significant differences in MR efficacy were noted between targeted Mn and Gd micelles.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that biocompatible multimodal Mn-based molecular imaging probes detect OSE within atherosclerotic plaques and may facilitate clinical translation of noninvasive imaging of human atherosclerosis.

PMID: 22300697 [PubMed - in process]

Evaluation of selective tumor detection by clinical magnetic resonance imaging using antibody-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide.

J Control Release. 2012 Jan 26;

Authors: Koyama T, Shimura M, Minemoto Y, Nohara S, Shibata S, Iida Y, Iwashita S, Hasegawa M, Kurabayashi T, Hamada H, Kono K, Honda E, Aoki I, Ishizaka Y

Abstract
Active targeting by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) combined with nanosize superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) is a promising technology for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis. However, the clinical applicability of this technology has not been investigated using appropriate controls. It is important to evaluate the targeting technology using widely used clinical 1.5-Tesla MRI in addition to the high-Tesla experimental MRI. In this study, we measured mAb-conjugated dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticles (CMDM) in vivo using clinical 1.5-Tesla MRI. MRI of tumor-bearing mice was performed using a simple comparison between positive and negative tumors derived from the same genetic background in each mouse. The system provided significant tumor-targeting specificity of the target tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the specific detection of target tumors by mAb-conjugated SPIO using clinical 1.5-Tesla MRI. Our observations provide clues for reliable active targeting using mAb-conjugated SPIO in clinical applications.

PMID: 22300621 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Self-aggregated pegylated poly (trimethylene carbonate) nanoparticles decorated with c(RGDyK) peptide for targeted paclitaxel delivery to integrin-rich tumors.

Biomaterials. 2011 Dec;32(35):9457-69

Authors: Jiang X, Sha X, Xin H, Chen L, Gao X, Wang X, Law K, Gu J, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Ren X, Ren Q, Fang X

Abstract
Cyclic RGD peptide-decorated polymeric micellar-like nanoparticles (MNP) based on PEGylated poly (trimethylene carbonate) (PEG-PTMC) were prepared for active targeting to integrin-rich cancer cells. An amphiphilic diblock copolymer, α-carboxyl poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (trimethylene carbonate) (HOOC-PEG-PTMC), was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The c(RGDyK) ligand, a cyclic RGD peptide that can bind to the integrin proteins predominantly expressed on the surface of tumor cells with high affinity and specificity, was conjugated to the NHS-Activated PEG terminus of the copolymer. The c(RGDyK)-functionalized PEG-PTMC micellar nanoparticles encapsulating PTX (c(RGDyK)-MNP/PTX) was fabricated by the emulsion/solvent evaporation technique and characterized in terms of morphology, size and zeta potential. Cellular uptake of c(RGDyK)-MNP/PTX was found to be higher than that of MNP/PTX due to the integrin protein-mediated endocytosis effect. In vitro cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest studies also revealed that c(RGDyK)-MNP/PTX was more potent than those of MNP/PTX and Taxol. Pharmacokinetic study in rats demonstrated that the polymeric micellar nanoparticles significantly enhanced the bioavailability of PTX than Taxol. In vivo multispectral fluorescent imaging indicated that c(RGDyK)-MNP/PTX had high specificity and efficiency in tumor active targeting. Therefore, the results demonstrated that c(RGDyK)-decorated PEG-PTMC MNP developed in this study could be a potential vehicle for delivering hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents to integrin-rich tumors.

PMID: 21911250 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

A facile synthesis, in vitro and in vivo MR studies of d-glucuronic acid-coated ultrasmall Ln₂O₃ (Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er) nanoparticles as a new potential MRI contrast agent.

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2011 Sep;3(9):3325-34

Authors: Kattel K, Park JY, Xu W, Kim HG, Lee EJ, Bony BA, Heo WC, Lee JJ, Jin S, Baeck JS, Chang Y, Kim TJ, Bae JE, Chae KS, Lee GH

Abstract
A facile one-pot synthesis of d-glucuronic acid-coated ultrasmall Ln(2)O(3) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er) nanoparticles is presented. Their water proton relaxivities were studied to address their possibility as a new potential MRI contrast agent. We focused on the d-glucuronic acid-coated ultrasmall Dy(2)O(3) nanoparticle because it showed the highest r(2) relaxivity among studied nanoparticles. Its performance as a T(2) MRI contrast agent was for the first time proved in vivo through its 3 T T(2) MR images of a mouse, showing that it can be further exploited for the rational design of a new T(2) MRI contrast agent at high MR fields.

PMID: 21853997 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Monitoring the glioma tropism of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells by 2-photon laser scanning microscopy and positron emission tomography.

Neuro Oncol. 2012 Feb 1;

Authors: Hasenbach K, Wiehr S, Herrmann C, Mannheim J, Cay F, von Kürthy G, Bolmont T, Grathwohl SA, Weller M, Lengerke C, Pichler BJ, Tabatabai G

Abstract
Intracerebral experimental gliomas attract intravenously injected murine or human bone marrow-derived hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells (HPC) in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo, indicating that these progenitor cells might be suitable vehicles for a cell-based delivery of therapeutic molecules to malignant gliomas. With regard to therapeutic application, it is important to investigate cell fates in vivo (i.e., the time-dependent intratumoral and systemic distribution after intravenously injection). Conventional histological analysis has limitations in this regard because longitudinal monitoring is precluded. Here, we used 2-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM), positron emission tomography (PET), and MRI to study the fate of intravenously injected HPC carrying fluorescence, bioluminescence, and PET reporter genes in glioma-bearing mice. Our 2PLSM-based monitoring studies revealed that HPC homing to intracerebral experimental gliomas occurred already within the first 6 h and was most efficient within the first 24 h after intravenous injection. The highest PET signals were detected in intracerebral gliomas, whereas the tracer uptake in other organs, notably spleen, lung, liver, and muscle, remained at background levels. The results have important implications for designing schedules for therapeutic cell-based anti-glioma approaches. Moreover, the PET reporter-based imaging technique will allow noninvasive monitoring of cell fate in future cell-based therapeutic antiglioma approaches.

PMID: 22298526 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Super-resolution methods in MRI: Can they improve the trade-off between resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and acquisition time?

Magn Reson Med. 2012 Feb 1;

Authors: Plenge E, Poot DH, Bernsen M, Kotek G, Houston G, Wielopolski P, van der Weerd L, Niessen WJ, Meijering E

Abstract
Improving the resolution in magnetic resonance imaging comes at the cost of either lower signal-to-noise ratio, longer acquisition time or both. This study investigates whether so-called super-resolution reconstruction methods can increase the resolution in the slice selection direction and, as such, are a viable alternative to direct high-resolution acquisition in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio and acquisition time trade-offs. The performance of six super-resolution reconstruction methods and direct high-resolution acquisitions was compared with respect to these trade-offs. The methods are based on iterative back-projection, algebraic reconstruction, and regularized least squares. The algorithms were applied to low-resolution data sets within which the images were rotated relative to each other. Quantitative experiments involved a computational phantom and a physical phantom containing structures of known dimensions. To visually validate the quantitative evaluations, qualitative experiments were performed, in which images of three different subjects (a phantom, an ex vivo rat knee, and a postmortem mouse) were acquired with different magnetic resonance imaging scanners. The results show that super-resolution reconstruction can indeed improve the resolution, signal-to-noise ratio and acquisition time trade-offs compared with direct high-resolution acquisition. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID: 22298247 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Organ specific mapping of in vivo redox state in control and cigarette smoke-exposed mice using EPR/NMR co-imaging.

J Magn Reson. 2011 Nov 7;

Authors: Caia GL, Efimova OV, Velayutham M, El-Mahdy MA, Abdelghany TM, Kesselring E, Petryakov S, Sun Z, Samouilov A, Zweier JL

Abstract
In vivo mapping of alterations in redox status is important for understanding organ specific pathology and disease. While electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) enables spatial mapping of free radicals, it does not provide anatomic visualization of the body. Proton MRI is well suited to provide anatomical visualization. We applied EPR/NMR co-imaging instrumentation to map and monitor the redox state of living mice under normal or oxidative stress conditions induced by secondhand cigarette smoke (SHS) exposure. A hybrid co-imaging instrument, EPRI (1.2GHz)/proton MRI (16.18MHz), suitable for whole-body co-imaging of mice was utilized with common magnet and gradients along with dual EPR/NMR resonators that enable co-imaging without sample movement. The metabolism of the nitroxide probe, 3-carbamoyl-proxyl (3-CP), was used to map the redox state of control and SHS-exposed mice. Co-imaging allowed precise 3D mapping of radical distribution and reduction in major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, bladder and kidneys. Reductive metabolism was markedly decreased in SHS-exposed mice and EPR/NMR co-imaging allowed quantitative assessment of this throughout the body. Thus, in vivo EPR/NMR co-imaging enables in vivo organ specific mapping of free radical metabolism and redox stress and the alterations that occur in the pathogenesis of disease.

PMID: 22296801 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice.

J Vis Exp. 2012;(59)

Authors: Kuhlmann MT, Cuhlmann S, Hoppe I, Krams R, Evans PC, Strijkers GJ, Nicolay K, Hermann S, Schäfers M

Abstract
It is widely accepted that alterations in vascular shear stress trigger the expression of inflammatory genes in endothelial cells and thereby induce atherosclerosis (reviewed in (1) and (2)). The role of shear stress has been extensively studied in vitro investigating the influence of flow dynamics on cultured endothelial cells (1,3,4) and in vivo in larger animals and humans (1,5,6,7,8). However, highly reproducible small animal models allowing systematic investigation of the influence of shear stress on plaque development are rare. Recently, Nam et al. (9) introduced a mouse model in which the ligation of branches of the carotid artery creates a region of low and oscillatory flow. Although this model causes endothelial dysfunction and rapid formation of atherosclerotic lesions in hyperlipidemic mice, it cannot be excluded that the observed inflammatory response is, at least in part, a consequence of endothelial and/or vessel damage due to ligation. In order to avoid such limitations, a shear stress modifying cuff has been developed based upon calculated fluid dynamics, whose cone shaped inner lumen was selected to create defined regions of low, high and oscillatory shear stress within the common carotid artery (10). By applying this model in Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice fed a high cholesterol western type diet, vascular lesions develop upstream and downstream from the cuff. Their phenotype is correlated with the regional flow dynamics (11) as confirmed by in vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (12): Low and laminar shear stress upstream of the cuff causes the formation of extensive plaques of a more vulnerable phenotype, whereas oscillatory shear stress downstream of the cuff induces stable atherosclerotic lesions (11). In those regions of high shear stress and high laminar flow within the cuff, typically no atherosclerotic plaques are observed. In conclusion, the shear stress-modifying cuff procedure is a reliable surgical approach to produce phenotypically different atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-deficient mice.

PMID: 22294044 [PubMed - in process]

Increased stress reactivity is associated with reduced hippocampal activity and neuronal integrity along with changes in energy metabolism.

Eur J Neurosci. 2012 Feb;35(3):412-22

Authors: Knapman A, Kaltwasser SF, Martins-de-Souza D, Holsboer F, Landgraf R, Turck CW, Czisch M, Touma C

Abstract
Patients suffering from major depression have repeatedly been reported to have dysregulations in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity along with deficits in cognitive processes related to hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) malfunction. Here, we utilized three mouse lines selectively bred for high (HR), intermediate, or low (LR) stress reactivity, determined by the corticosterone response to a psychological stressor, probing the behavioral and functional consequences of increased vs. decreased HPA axis reactivity on the hippocampus and PFC. We assessed performance in hippocampus- and PFC-dependent tasks and determined the volume, basal activity, and neuronal integrity of the hippocampus and PFC using in vivo manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The hippocampal proteomes of HR and LR mice were also compared using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. HR mice were found to have deficits in the performance of hippocampus- and PFC-dependent tests and showed decreased N-acetylaspartate levels in the right dorsal hippocampus and PFC. In addition, the basal activity of the hippocampus, as assessed by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, was reduced in HR mice. The three mouse lines, however, did not differ in hippocampal volume. Proteomic analysis identified several proteins that were differentially expressed in HR and LR mice. In accordance with the notion that N-acetylaspartate levels, in part, reflect dysfunctional mitochondrial metabolism, these proteins were found to be involved in energy metabolism pathways. Thus, our results provide further support for the involvement of a dysregulated HPA axis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the etiology and pathophysiology of affective disorders.

PMID: 22288479 [PubMed - in process]

Partial restoration of cardio-vascular defects in rescued severe model of spinal muscular atrophy.

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2012 Jan 17;

Authors: Shababi M, Habibi J, Ma L, Glascock J, Sowers JR, Lorson CL

Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infantile death. Loss of a gene called Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) and, as a result, reduced levels of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein leads to SMA development. SMA is characterized by the loss of functional motor neurons in the spinal cord. However, accumulating evidence suggests the contribution of other organs to the composite SMA phenotype and disease progression. A growing number of congenital heart defects have been identified in severe SMA patients. Consistent with the clinical cases, we have recently identified developmental and functional heart defects in two SMA mouse models, occurring at embryonic stage in a severe SMA model and shortly after birth in a less severe model (SMN∆7). Our goal was to examine the late stage cardiac abnormalities in untreated SMN∆7 mice and to determine whether gene replacement therapy restores cardiac structure/function in rescued SMN∆7 model. To reveal the extent of the cardiac structural/functional repair in the rescued mice, we analyzed the heart of untreated and treated SMN∆7 model using self-complementary Adeno-associated virus (serotype 9) expressing the full-length SMN cDNA. We examined the characteristics of the heart failure such as remodeling, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and vascular integrity in both groups. Our results clearly indicate that fibrosis, oxidative stress activation, vascular remodeling, and a significant decrease in the number of capillaries exist in the SMA heart. The cardiac structural defects were improved drastically in the rescued animals, however, the level of impairment was still significant compared to the age-matched wildtype littermates. Furthermore, functional analysis by in vivo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the heart of the treated SMA mice still exhibits functional defects. In conclusion, cardiac abnormalities are only partially rescued in post-birth treated SMA animals and these abnormalities may contribute to the premature death of vector-treated SMA animals with seemingly rescued motor function but an average life span of less than 70days as reported in several studies.

PMID: 22285962 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

In vivo assessment of intraplaque and endothelial fibrin in ApoE(-/-) mice by molecular MRI.

Atherosclerosis. 2012 Jan 10;

Authors: Makowski MR, Forbes SC, Blume U, Warley A, Jansen CH, Schuster A, Wiethoff AJ, Botnar RM

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a promising non-invasive modality to characterize atherosclerotic vessel wall changes on a morphological and molecular level. Intraplaque and endothelial fibrin has recently been recognized to play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of intraplaque and endothelial fibrin detection using a fibrin-targeted contrast-agent, FTCA (EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA), in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Male apolipoproteinE-knockout mice (ApoE(-/-)) were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for one to three months. MRI of the brachiocephalic artery was performed prior to and 90min after the administration of FTCA (n=8 per group). Contrast to noise ratios (CNR) and longitudinal relaxation rates (R1) of plaques were determined and compared to ex vivo fibrin density measurements on immunohistological sections stained with a fibrin-specific antibody and gadolinium concentrations measured by inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). RESULTS: Molecular MRI after FTCA administration demonstrated a significant increase (p<0.05) in contrast agent uptake in brachiocephalic artery plaques. In vivo CNR measurements were in good agreement with ex vivo fibrin density measurements on immunohistochemistry (y=2.4x+11.3, R(2)=0.82) and ICP-MS (y=0.95x+7.1, R(2)=0.70). Late stage atherosclerotic plaques displayed the strongest increase in CNR, R1, ex vivo fibrin staining and gadolinium concentration (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility of intraplaque and endothelial fibrin imaging using FTCA. Direct in vivo fibrin detection and quantification could be useful for characterization and staging of coronary and carotid atherosclerotic lesions, which may aid diagnosis and intervention.

PMID: 22284956 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Assessment of melanoma extent and melanoma metastases invasion using electron paramagnetic resonance and bioluminescence imaging.

Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2011 Jul-Aug;6(4):282-8

Authors: Godechal Q, Defresne F, Danhier P, Leveque P, Porporato PE, Sonveaux P, Baurain JF, Feron O, Gallez B

Abstract
The clinical outcome of melanoma depends on the local and distant spread of the disease at the time of diagnosis, as the estimated 5-year survival rate is about 100% for superficial melanoma diagnosed early, but less than 10% for melanoma that has disseminated to major organs such as lungs. There is a crucial need for new effective methods for the detection and the characterization of melanomas. In the pre-clinical setting, this will help to understand the factors that contribute to the malignancy while the transfer into the clinic will contribute to an early effective treatment of patients. Melanoma lesions can be detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using paramagnetic properties of melanin pigments. As part of the development of EPR imaging to characterize melanomas, we evaluated in the present study the usefulness of EPR to report on the extension of lung metastases by comparing the method with bioluminescence imaging using B16 melanoma cells expressing luciferase. B16 melanoma cells were injected subcutaneously or intravenously in C57/BL6 mice. The primary tumors or the lung colonization by melanoma cells was measured after several delay periods to obtain several degrees of invasiveness. The animals were measured in-vivo with bioluminescence after i.v. injection of luciferin. The primary tumors or lungs were then excised. After freeze-drying, the content of melanin in lungs was measured and imaged by EPR at 9 GHz. We observed a direct relationship between the EPR intensity and the bioluminescence intensity. Another tumor model (KHT sarcoma), non-pigmented but expressing luciferase, was used to confirm that the EPR signal was directly linked to the melanin pigment present in the tumors.

PMID: 21861288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Chemical shift sodium imaging in a mouse model of thromboembolic stroke at 9.4 T.

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2011 Oct;34(4):935-40

Authors: Heiler PM, Langhauser FL, Wetterling F, Ansar S, Grudzenski S, Konstandin S, Fatar M, Meairs S, Schad LR

Abstract
PURPOSE: To estimate changes in the (23)Na density and in the (23)Na relaxation time T(2) * in the anatomically small murine brain after stroke.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional acquisition weighted chemical shift imaging at a resolution of 0.6 × 0.6 × 1.2 mm(3) was used for sodium imaging and relaxation parameter mapping. In vivo measurements of the mouse brain (n = 4) were performed 24 hours after stroke, induced by microinjection of purified murine thrombin into the right middle cerebral artery. The measurement time was 14 minutes in one mouse and 65 minutes in the other three. An exponential fit estimation of the free induction decay was calculated for each voxel enabling the reconstruction of locally resolved relaxation parameter maps.
RESULTS: The infarcted areas showed an increase in sodium density between 160% and 250%, while the T(2) * relaxation time increased by 5%-72% compared to unaffected contralateral brain tissue.
CONCLUSION: (23)Na chemical shift imaging at a resolution of 0.6 × 0.6 × 1.2 mm(3) enabled sodium imaging of the anatomical small mouse brain and the acquired data allowed calculating relaxation parameter maps and hence a more exact evaluation of sodium signal changes after stroke.

PMID: 21769985 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Surface functionalization of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for the development of highly efficient magnetic resonance probe for macrophages.

Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2011 Jul-Aug;6(4):298-307

Authors: Huang C, Neoh KG, Wang L, Kang ET, Shuter B

Abstract
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking of macrophages plays an important role in monitoring and understanding numerous human diseases with high macrophage activity. In this work, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) of ∼12 nm were surface-functionalized with poly(DL-lactic acid-co-malic acid) copolymer (PLMA) via a nanoprecipitation method. The r(1), r(2) and r(2) /r(1) values of the PLMA-SPIONs obtained at a magnetic field of 3 T were 0.38, 196 and 516 mM(-1) s(-1) , respectively. The high r(2)/r(1) ratio can be expected to provide enhanced MR contrast. The PLMA-SPIONs were readily taken in by macrophages and the high iron uptake was confirmed via Prussian Blue staining and quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). No significant cytotoxicity was found even at a high nanoparticle loading of 67.7 pg Fe per cell. A linear relationship between R(2) and R2* values and the number of PLMA-SPIONs labeled cells was observed in vitro. As a result of the significantly higher R2* than R(2) effects, an in vitro detection threshold of about 2820 labeled cells was achieved with short labeling time and low nanoparticle concentration using a clinical 3 T MRI scanner. Thus, the PLMA-SPIONs can be potentially useful as magnetic resonance probes for targeting and tracking macrophages.

PMID: 21287679 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

On the use of micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIOS) to label resting monocytes in bone marrow.

Mol Imaging Biol. 2011 Oct;13(5):819-24

Authors: Tang KS, Hann B, Shapiro EM

Abstract
PURPOSE: The use of MRI to monitor immune cell infiltration into various pathologies is well established. In an effort to boost the magnetic material within immune cells, this work attempted to label resting monocytes within bone marrow, in mice, by intravenous administration of micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIOs), similar in fashion to the administration of (U)SPIO.
PROCEDURES: MPIOs were incubated with various immune cells both in culture, and in whole blood. Flow cytometry and histology were used to analyze magnetic cell labeling. Also, MPIOs were injected intravenously into mice. In vivo, high-resolution 3-D MRI was performed on mouse legs, and signal changes were quantified. Flow cytometry and histology were used to analyze magnetic cell labeling of bone marrow resident cells.
RESULTS: It is demonstrated here that monocytes and neutrophils can indeed endocytose MPIOs both in cell culture and ex vivo in whole blood. However, despite rapid accumulation of MPIOs within the bone marrow following injection, MPIOs did not label monocytes or any other hematopoietic cell type in the marrow. Hypotheses are drawn to explain these results in light of recent usage of MPIOs for immune cell tracking.
CONCLUSIONS: Systemic administration of various MPIO formulations showed that MPIOs arrive in bone marrow rapidly following injection and remain there for at least 7 days. Data also shows slow clearance of some particles from the tissue over this period. While MPIOs can efficiently label monocytes in culture and in whole blood ex vivo, they were not found to label bone marrow resident monocytes.

PMID: 20936363 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Paramagnetic dysprosium oxide nanoparticles and dysprosium hydroxide nanorods as T(2) MRI contrast agents.

Biomaterials. 2012 Jan 23;

Authors: Kattel K, Park JY, Xu W, Kim HG, Lee EJ, Bony BA, Heo WC, Jin S, Baeck JS, Chang Y, Kim TJ, Bae JE, Chae KS, Lee GH

Abstract
We report here paramagnetic dysprosium nanomaterial-based T(2) MRI contrast agents. A large r(2) and a negligible r(1) is an ideal condition for T(2) MR imaging. At this condition, protons are strongly and nearly exclusively induced for T(2) MR imaging. The dysprosium nanomaterials fairly satisfy this because they are found to possess a decent r(2) but a negligible r(1) arising from L + S state 4f-electrons in Dy(III) ion ((6)H(15/2)). Their r(2) will also further increase with increasing applied field because of unsaturated magnetization at room temperature. Therefore, MR imaging and various physical properties of the synthesized d-glucuronic acid coated ultrasmall dysprosium oxide nanoparticles (d(avg) = 3.2 nm) and dysprosium hydroxide nanorods (20 × 300 nm) are investigated. These include hydrodynamic diameters, magnetic properties, MR relaxivities, cytotoxicities, and 3 tesla in vivo T(2) MR images. Here, MR imaging properties of dysprosium hydroxide nanorods have not been reported so far. These two samples show r(2)s of 65.04 and 181.57 s(-1)mM(-1), respectively, with negligible r(1)s at 1.5 tesla and at room temperature, no in vitro cytotoxicity up to 100 μM Dy, and clear negative contrast enhancements in 3 tesla in vivo T(2) MR images of a mouse liver, which will be even more improved at higher MR fields. Therefore, d-glucuronic acid coated ultrasmall dysprosium oxide nanoparticles with renal excretion can be a potential candidate as a sensitive T(2) MRI contrast agent at MR field greater than 3 tesla.

PMID: 22277624 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Quantitative Analysis of the Growth Kinetics of Chemically-Induced Mouse Liver Tumors by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Toxicol Sci. 2012 Jan 24;

Authors: Schmid A, Rignall B, Pichler BJ, Schwarz M

Abstract
Non-invasive methods for the early detection of tumor onset and progression in rodent liver would be of high value for pharmaceutical and chemical industry and would, at the same time foster one of the 3Rs, by reducing the number of animals in the bioassay. We have induced liver tumors in mice, by single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) either in 2 weeks (experiment 1) or 6 weeks old (experiment 2) male C3H mice. In the latter, mice were in addition chronically treated with 0.05 % phenobarbital (PB) in diet according to an initiation/promotion protocol. Starting at 16 weeks after DEN-injection (18 weeks after DEN in experiment 2), mice were routinely scanned by non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a T2-weighted 3D sequence in regular intervals. Liver tumors became detectable in both experiments when they exceeded a diameter of ∼1 mm. Exponential increases in total tumor volume per liver were observed in both experiments. The onset of tumor development was similar with respect to DEN treatment. While mice in experiment 1 had developed a mean total tumor volume of ∼100 mm(3) approx. 24 weeks after DEN, it took ∼4 weeks longer to reach this tumor mass in experiment 2. Determination of time-dependent growth of individual tumors demonstrated strong tumor heterogeneity. In vivo MRI data were further correlated with tumor histology. The phenotype of tumors differed strongly between the two experiments but our results demonstrate that tumors can be reliably detected by MRI when they exceed a certain size independent of their phenotype.

PMID: 22273797 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Hyperpolarized 13C dehydroascorbate as an endogenous redox sensor for in vivo metabolic imaging.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Nov 15;108(46):18606-11

Authors: Keshari KR, Kurhanewicz J, Bok R, Larson PE, Vigneron DB, Wilson DM

Abstract
Reduction and oxidation (redox) chemistry is involved in both normal and abnormal cellular function, in processes as diverse as circadian rhythms and neurotransmission. Intracellular redox is maintained by coupled reactions involving NADPH, glutathione (GSH), and vitamin C, as well as their corresponding oxidized counterparts. In addition to functioning as enzyme cofactors, these reducing agents have a critical role in dealing with reactive oxygen species (ROS), the toxic products of oxidative metabolism seen as culprits in aging, neurodegenerative disease, and ischemia/ reperfusion injury. Despite this strong relationship between redox and human disease, methods to interrogate a redox pair in vivo are limited. Here we report the development of [1-(13)C] dehydroascorbate [DHA], the oxidized form of Vitamin C, as an endogenous redox sensor for in vivo imaging using hyperpolarized (13)C spectroscopy. In murine models, hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] DHA was rapidly converted to [1-(13)C] vitamin C within the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as within tumor in a transgenic prostate cancer mouse. This result is consistent with what has been previously described for the DHA/Vitamin C redox pair, and points to a role for hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] DHA in characterizing the concentrations of key intracellular reducing agents, including GSH. More broadly, these findings suggest a prognostic role for this new redox sensor in determining vulnerability of both normal and abnormal tissues to ROS.

PMID: 22042839 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Ferri-liposomes as an MRI-visible drug-delivery system for targeting tumours and their microenvironment.

Nat Nanotechnol. 2011 Sep;6(9):594-602

Authors: Mikhaylov G, Mikac U, Magaeva AA, Itin VI, Naiden EP, Psakhye I, Babes L, Reinheckel T, Peters C, Zeiser R, Bogyo M, Turk V, Psakhye SG, Turk B, Vasiljeva O

Abstract
The tumour microenvironment regulates tumour progression and the spread of cancer in the body. Targeting the stromal cells that surround cancer cells could, therefore, improve the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments. Here, we show that magnetic nanoparticle clusters encapsulated inside a liposome can, under the influence of an external magnet, target both the tumour and its microenvironment. We use the outstanding T2 contrast properties (r2=573-1,286 s(-1) mM(-1)) of these ferri-liposomes, which are ∼95 nm in diameter, to non-invasively monitor drug delivery in vivo. We also visualize the targeting of the tumour microenvironment by the drug-loaded ferri-liposomes and the uptake of a model probe by cells. Furthermore, we used the ferri-liposomes to deliver a cathepsin protease inhibitor to a mammary tumour and its microenvironment in a mouse, which substantially reduced the size of the tumour compared with systemic delivery of the same drug.

PMID: 21822252 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]