Synthesis, characterization, and pharmacokinetic evaluation of a potential MRI contrast agent containing two paramagnetic centers with albumin binding affinity

Structural Features of Europium(II)-Containing Cryptates That Influence Relaxivity

Eu^II -containing complexes were studied with respect to properties relevant to their use as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. The influences of molecular parameters and field strength on relaxivity were studied for a series of Eu^II -containing cryptates and their adducts with β-cyclodextrins, poly-β-cyclodextrins, and human serum albumin. Solid- and solution-phase characterization of Eu^II -containing complexes is presented that demonstrates the presence of inner-sphere molecules of water. Additionally, relaxivity, water-exchange rate, rotational correlation time, and electronic relaxation times were determined using variable-temperature ¹⁷ O NMR, nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. These results are expected to be instrumental in the design of future Eu^II -based contrast agents.

Magnetofluorescent micelles incorporating Dy(III)-DOTA as potential bimodal agents for optical and high field magnetic resonance imaging

Dysprosium(iii) was coordinated to four 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) bisamide derivatives functionalized with amphiphilic p-dodecylaniline and p-tetradecylaniline in a differing cis- and trans-orientation. The complexes were assembled into mono-disperse micelles having size distribution maxima ranging from 10 to 15 nm and the magnetic and optical properties of the micelles were examined in detail. The micelles show characteristic Dy(iii) emission with quantum yields reaching 0.8%. The transverse relaxivity r2 per Dy(iii) ion at 500 MHz and 310 K reaches maximum values of ca. 20 s(-1) mM(-1) which is a large increase when compared to a value of 0.8 s(-1) mM(-1) observed for Dy(III)-DTPA. The micelles were stable in water when incubated at 37 °C for 1 week and showed no relaxivity decrease when measured in the presence of 4% (w/v) human serum albumin. The efficient T2 relaxation, especially at strong magnetic fields, is sustained by the high magnetic moment of the dysprosium(iii) ion, the coordination of water molecules and long rotational correlation times.

Assembly of near infra-red emitting upconverting nanoparticles and multiple Gd(III)-chelates as a potential bimodal contrast agent for MRI and optical imaging

Linking multiple paramagnetic gadolinium(III)-chelates based on the 2-[4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododec-1-yl]acetate (DOTA) ligand to the surface of NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Tm(3+) upconverting nanoparticles with an average particle size of 20 nm resulted in an assembly that has favorable properties for bimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Optical Imaging (OI). An improved synthetic pathway was used to couple the paramagnetic precursor to the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were rendered water dispersible via citrate capping, leaving one acid group free for amide coupling with the mono-amino precursor of the DOTA ligand. Luminescence spectroscopy measurements have shown that the excitation of the nanoconstruct at 980 nm resulted in intense upconverted emission of thulium(III) at 800 nm. The assembly of several paramagnetic centers on the nanoparticle scaffold reduces the overall tumbling rate, resulting in enhanced longitudinal relaxation times and improved relaxivity. The proton NMRD profiles show a characteristic hump at higher frequencies, which is caused by the slow rotation of the nanoconstruct, resulting in r1 values of 25 mM(-1) s(-1) per gadolinium(III)-ion at 60 MHz and 310 K. This is a significant improvement compared to the Gd-DO3A-ethylamine precursor (4) for which a value of r1 of 3.23 mM(-1) s(-1) was observed under the same conditions. Theoretical fitting by two different approaches showed an increase of τR from 57.3 ps for the Gd-DO3A-ethylamine precursor (4) to 392.0 ps for the nanoconstruct, which is responsible for the overall substantial increase in relaxivity.

Towards polymetallic lanthanide complexes as dual contrast agents for magnetic resonance and optical imaging

In the spotlight: polymetallic complexes permitting efficient sensitization of lanthanide luminescence and exhibiting favorable relaxometric properties.

A new ditopic Gd(III) complex functionalized with an adamantyl moiety as a versatile building block for the preparation of supramolecular assemblies

A dimeric GdAAZTA-like complex (AAZTA is 6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepinetetraacetic acid) bearing an adamantyl group (Gd2L1) able to form strong supramolecular adducts with specific hosts such as β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), poly-β-CD, and human serum albumin (HSA) is reported. The relaxometric properties of Gd2L1 were investigated in aqueous solution by measuring the (1)H relaxivity as a function of pH, temperature, and magnetic field strength. The relaxivity of Gd2L1 (per Gd atom) at 40 MHz and 298 K is 17.6 mM(-1) s(-1), a value that remains almost constant at higher fields owing to the great compactness and rigidity of the bimetallic chelate, resulting in an ideal value for the rotational correlation time for high-field MRI applications (1.5-3.0 T). The noncovalent interaction of Gd2L1 with β-CD, poly-β-CD, and HSA and the relaxometric properties of the resulting host-guest adducts were investigated using (1)H relaxometric methods. Relaxivity enhancements of 29 and 108 % were found for Gd2L1-β-CD and Gd2L1-poly-β-CD, respectively. Binding of Gd2L1 to HSA (KA = 1.2 × 10(4) M(-1)) results in a remarkable relaxivity of 41.4 mM(-1) s(-1) for the bound form (+248 %). The relaxivity is only limited by the local rotation of the complex within the binding site, which decreases on passing from Gd2L1-β-CD to Gd2L1-HSA. Finally, the applicability of Gd2L1 as tumor-targeting agent through passive accumulation of the HSA-bound adduct was evaluated via acquisition of magnetic resonance images at 1 T of B16-tumor-bearing mice. These experiments indicate a considerable signal enhancement (+160 %) in tumor after 60 min from the injection and a very low hepatic accumulation.

Interaction of Biphenyl-Functionalized Eu(2+)-Containing Cryptate with Albumin: Implications to Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The influence of albumin on the efficacy of a Eu(2+)-containing complex capable of interacting with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated at different field strengths (1.4, 3, 7, 9.4, and 11.7 T). Relaxometric measurements indicated that the presence of albumin at higher field strengths (>3 T) did not result in an increase in the relaxivity of the Eu(2+) complex, but a relaxation enhancement of 171 ± 11% was observed at 1.4 T. Titration experiments using different percentages (2, 4.5, 6, 10, 15, and 25% w/v) of HSA and variable-temperature (17)O NMR measurements were performed to understand the effect of albumin on the molecular properties of the biphenyl-functionalized Eu(2+) complex that are relevant to magnetic resonance imaging.

Strategies for the preparation of bifunctional gadolinium(III) chelators

The development of gadolinium chelators that can be easily and readily linked to various substrates is of primary importance for the development high relaxation efficiency and/or targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Over the last 25 years a large number of bifunctional chelators have been prepared. For the most part, these compounds are based on ligands that are already used in clinically approved contrast agents. More recently, new bifunctional chelators have been reported based on complexes that show a more potent relaxation effect, faster complexation kinetics and in some cases simpler synthetic procedures. This review provides an overview of the synthetic strategies used for the preparation of bifunctional chelators for MRI applications.

Synthesis and characterization of new low-molecular-weight lysine-conjugated Gd-DTPA contrast agents

Various blood pool contrast agents (CAs), characterized by intravascular distribution, have been developed to assist contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Among these CAs, the DTPA derivatives conjugated to synthetic polypeptides, such as polylysine, represent attractive candidates for blood pool imaging. However, due to the presence of charged residues located on their backbone, these agents are retained in the kidneys and this compromises their long blood half-life. In order to overcome this major drawback of the polylysine compounds, two new low-molecular-weight CAs were synthesized in the present work by conjugating four or six 1-p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-DTPA moieties to tri- or penta-Lys peptides [(Gd-DTPA)(4) Lys(3) and (Gd-DTPA)(6) Lys(5)], respectively. All the -NH(2) groups of Lys were thus blocked by covalent conjugation to DTPA. The stability and relaxometric properties of these compounds, as well as their pharmacokinetic and biodistribution characteristics, were then evaluated. The half-life in blood of these new polylysine derivatives, as determined in rats, is twofold longer than that of Gd-DTPA. The compounds could thus be optimal blood pool markers for MRA, which typically uses fast acquisition times. The absence of positive molecular charge did not limit their retention in kidneys 2 h after administration. On the other hand, (Gd-DTPA)(4) Lys(3) is retained in kidneys to a lesser extent than (Gd-DTPA)(6) Lys(5) . Their moderate retention in blood and their higher stability and relaxivity in comparison with Gd-DTPA highlight these polylysine derivatives as optimal compared with previously developed polylysine compounds.

Design of (Gd-DO3A)n-polydiamidopropanoyl-peptide nucleic acid-D(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) magnetic resonance contrast agents

We hypothesized that chelating Gd(III) to 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethylaza)cyclododecane-10-azaacetylamide (DO3A) on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) hybridization probes would provide a magnetic resonance genetic imaging agent capable of hybridization to a specific mRNA. Because of the low sensitivity of Gd(III) as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, a single Gd-DO3A complex per PNA hybridization agent could not provide enough contrast for detection of cancer gene mRNAs, even at thousands of mRNA copies per cell. To increase the Gd(III) shift intensity of MRI genetic imaging agents, we extended a novel DO3An-polydiamidopropanoyl (PDAPm) dendrimer, up to n = 16, from the N-terminus of KRAS PNA hybridization agents by solid phase synthesis. A C-terminal D(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) cyclized peptide analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) was included to enable receptor-mediated cellular uptake. Molecular dynamic simulation of the (Gd-DO3A-AEEA)16-PDAP4-AEEA2-KRAS PNA-AEEA-D(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) genetic imaging nanoparticles in explicit water yielded a pair correlation function similar to that of PAMAM dendrimers, and a predicted structure in which the PDAP dendron did not sequester the PNA. Thermal melting measurements indicated that the size of the PDAP dendron included in the (DO3A-AEEA)n-PDAPm-AEEA2-KRAS PNA-AEEA-D(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) probes (up to 16 Gd(III) cations per PNA) did not depress the melting temperatures (Tm) of the complementary PNA/RNA hybrid duplexes. The Gd(III) dendrimer PNA genetic imaging agents in phantom solutions displayed significantly greater T1 relaxivity per probe (r1 = 30.64 +/- 2.68 mM(-1) s(-1) for n = 2, r1 = 153.84 +/- 11.28 mM(-1) s(-1) for n = 8) than Gd-DTPA (r1 = 10.35 +/- 0.37 mM(-1) s(-1)), but less than that of (Gd-DO3A)32-PAMAM dendrimer (r1 = 771.84 +/- 20.48 mM(-1) s(-1)) (P < 0.05). Higher generations of PDAP dendrimers with 32 or more Gd-DO3A residues attached to PNA-D(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) genetic imaging agents might provide greater contrast for more sensitive detection.

Plasma clearance of bacteriophage Qbeta particles as a function of surface charge

Self-assembled protein capsids have gained attention as a promising class of nanoparticles for biomedical applications due to their monodisperse nature and versatile genetic and chemical tailorability. To determine the plasma clearance and tissue distribution in mice of the versatile capsid of bacteriophage Qbeta, the particles were decorated with gadolinium complexes using the CuI-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. Interior surface labeling was engineered by the introduction of an azide-containing unnatural amino acid into the coat protein for the first time. Clearance rates were conveniently monitored by quantitative detection of Gd using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and were found to be inversely proportional to the number of complexes attached to the exterior surface of the particle. This phenomenon was correlated to changes in exterior surface charge brought about by acylation of surface-exposed amine groups in the initial step of the bioconjugation protocol. When primary amine groups were reintroduced by azide-alkyne coupling, the circulation time increased accordingly. These results show that nanoparticle trafficking may be tailored in predictable ways by chemical and genetic modifications that modulate surface charge.

Contrast agents: magnetic resonance

Even though the intrinsic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast is much more flexible than in other clinical imaging techniques, the diagnosis of several pathologies requires the involvement of contrast agents (CAs) that can enhance the difference between normal and diseased tissues by modifying their intrinsic parameters. MR CAs are indirect agents because they do not become visible by themselves as opposed to other imaging modalities. The signal enhancement produced by MRI CAs (i.e., the efficiency of the CAs) depends on their longitudinal (r1) and transverse (r2) relaxivity (expressed in s(-1) mmol(-1) 1), which is defined as the increase of the nuclear relaxation rate (the reciprocal of the relaxation time) of water protons produced by 1 mmol per liter of CA. Paramagnetic CAs (most of them complexes of gadolinium) are frequently used in clinics as extracellular, hepatobiliary or blood pool agents. Low molecular weight paramagnetic CAs have similar effects on R1 and R2, but the predominant effect at low doses is that of T1 shortening (and R1 enhancement). Thus, organs taking up such agents will become bright in a T1-weighted MRI sequence; these CAs are thus called positive contrast media. The CAs known as negative agents influence signal intensity mainly by shortening T2* and T2, which produces the darkening of the contrast-enhanced tissue. These CAs are generally composed of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, consisting of iron oxides (magnetite, Fe3O4, maghemite, gammaFe2O3, or other ferrites). Iron oxide nanoparticles are taken up by the monocyte-macrophage system, which explains their potential application as MRI markers of inflammatory and degenerative disorders. Most of the contemporary MRI CAs approved for clinical applications are non-specific for a particular pathology and report exclusively on the anatomy and the physiological status of various organs. A new generation of MRI CAs is progressively emerging in the current context of molecular imaging, agents that are designed to detect with a high specificity the cellular and molecular hallmarks of various pathologies.

Synthetic approaches to heterocyclic ligands for Gd-based MRI contrast agents

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods are currently used in the clinic for the non invasive detection and characterization of a wide variety of pathologies. Increases in the diagnostic efficiency of MRI have been helped by both the design of dedicated MR sequences revealing specific aspects of the pathology and by the development of more sensitive and selective Contrast Agents (CAs), capable of more precisely delineating the borderline regions. In the present review we focus on the synthetic strategies used to obtain MRI CAs containing heterocyclic rings.

Comprehensive investigation of the non-covalent binding of MRI contrast agents with human serum albumin

Three techniques, electrospray mass spectrometry, ultrafiltration, and proton relaxometry, are compared in the context of the quantitative analysis of non-covalent binding between human serum albumin (HSA) and MRI contrast agents. The study of the affinity by proton relaxometry reveals the association constant and the number of interaction sites assuming that all sites are identical and independent. Ultrafiltration was adapted for the study of paramagnetic complexes. This technique confirmed the results obtained by relaxometry. Electrospray mass spectrometry, an original method able to study non-covalent binding because of its soft ionization process that allows for the survival of weak binding, provides qualitative and quantitative results. Electrospray mass spectrometry confirmed the affinity measured by proton relaxometry and ultrafiltration. This technique requires very small amounts of products and directly gives the stoichiometry of the association, information not easily obtained by classic techniques. Nevertheless, proton relaxometry remains a useful and mandatory technique for determining the enhancement of the relaxation subsequent to the binding although it demands large amounts of compounds. It is to be pointed out that even if the three techniques lead to a similar ranking of the affinity of the contrast agents for HSA, the absolute values of the association constants disagree as a result of the difference in the experimental conditions (presence of salt, native protein or desalted one, approximations in the fitting of the data, liquid or gas phases).

Synthesis, Relaxivity, and T1 Relaxation Enhancement of Binuclear Gadolinium(III) Complexes Based on DTPA or EDTA and Long-Chain Alkyl Esters of L-Lysine

Eight novel diamino-ester ligands were synthesized by amidation reaction of long-chain alkyl esters of l-lysine with diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid monoanhydride or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid monoanhydride. The corresponding dimeric Gd(iii) complexes were obtained by treating these ligands with GdCl3·6H2O. All ligands and complexes were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1) was measured, and all relaxivity values (R1) of these dimeric Gd(iii) complexes are higher than that of Magnivest (Gd-DTPA). One of these complexes, possessing the highest relaxivity in the DTPA series, was chosen to test the acute toxicity and T1-weighted imaging. It was found that this dimeric Gd(iii) complex exhibits no acute toxicity, and offers highly enhanced MRI signal and increases intention time in the rat liver tissue compared to Magnivest.

Pharmacokinetic andin vivo evaluation of a self-assembled gadolinium(III)-iron(II) contrast agent with high relaxivity

A high-molecular weight tetrametallic supramolecular complex [(Ln-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- (Ln = Gd, Eu, La) has been obtained upon self-assembly around one iron(II) ion of three 1,10-phenantroline-based molecules substituted in 5'-position with the polyaminocarboxylate diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N',N'-pentaacetate, DTPA-phen(4-). The ICP-MS measurements indicated that the lanthanide:iron ratio is 3:1. Photoluminescence spectra of [Eu-DTPA-phen](-) and of [(Eu-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- are nearly identical, implying that the first coordination sphere of the lanthanide(III) ion has not been changed upon coordination of phenantroline unit to iron(II) ion. NMRD measurements revealed that at 20 MHz and 310 K the relaxivity of the [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- is equal to 9.5 +/- 0.3 s(-1) mM(-1) of Gd (28.5 s(-1) per millimole per liter of complex) which is significantly higher than that for Gd-DTPA (3.9 s(-1) mM(-1)). The pharmacokinetic parameters of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- in rats indicate that the elimination of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- is significantly slower than that of Gd-DTPA and is correlated with a reduced volume of distribution. The low volume of distribution and the longer elimination time (T(e1/2)) suggest that the agent is confined to the blood compartment, so it could have an important potential as a blood pool contrast agent. The biodistribution profile of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- 2 h after injection indicates significantly higher concentrations of [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- as compared with Gd-DTPA in kidney, liver, lungs, heart and spleen. The images obtained on rats by MR angiography show the enhancement of the abdominal blood vessels. The signal intensity reaches a maximum of 55% at 7 min post-contrast and remains around 25% after 90 min. MRI-histomorphological correlation studies of [Gd-DTPA-phen]- and [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- showed that both agents displayed potent contrast enhancement in organs including the liver. The necrosis avidity tests indicated that, in contrast to the [Gd-DTPA-phen](-) precursor complex, the supramolecular complex [(Gd-DTPA-phen)3Fe]- exhibits necrosis avidity.

Necrosis Avid Contrast Agents

Two categories of necrosis-avid contrast agents (NACAs), namely porphyrin- and nonporphyrin-based complexes, have thus far been discovered as necrosis-targeting markers for noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identification of acute myocardial infarction, assessment of tissue or organ viability, and therapeutic evaluation after interventional therapies. In addition to necrosis labeling, other less-specific functions, such as first-pass perfusion, blood pool contrast effect, hepatobiliary contrast enhancement (CE), adrenal and spleen CE, and renal functional imaging, also are demonstrated with NACAs. Despite various investigations with a collection of clues in favor of certain hypotheses, the mechanisms of such a unique targetability for NACAs still remain to be elucidated. However, a few things have become clear that porphyrin-like structures are not necessary for necrosis avidity and the albumin binding is not the supposed driving force but only a parallel nonspecific feature shared by both NACAs and non-NACA substances. Although the research and development of NACAs still remain in preclinical stage at a relatively small scale, their significance rests upon striking enhancement effects, which may warrant their eventual versatile clinical applications. The present review article is intended to summarize the cumulated facts about the evolving research on this topic, to demonstrate experimental observations for better understanding of the mechanisms, to trigger broader public interests and more intensive research activities, and to advocate, toward both academics and industries, further promotion of preclinical and clinical development of this unique and promising class of contrast agents.