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Chen B, Marquez-Nostra B, Belitzky E, Toyonaga T, Tong J, Huang Y, Cai Z. PET Imaging in Animal Models of Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:872509. [PMID: 35685772 PMCID: PMC9171374 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.872509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful development and translation of PET imaging agents targeting β-amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles have allowed for in vivo detection of these hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) antemortem. Amyloid and tau PET have been incorporated into the A/T/N scheme for AD characterization and have become an integral part of ongoing clinical trials to screen patients for enrollment, prove drug action mechanisms, and monitor therapeutic effects. Meanwhile, preclinical PET imaging in animal models of AD can provide supportive information for mechanistic studies. With the recent advancement of gene editing technologies and AD animal model development, preclinical PET imaging in AD models will further facilitate our understanding of AD pathogenesis/progression and the development of novel treatments. In this study, we review the current state-of-the-art in preclinical PET imaging using animal models of AD and suggest future research directions.
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Xu Y, Xu Y, Biby S, Bai P, Liu Y, Zhang C, Wang C, Zhang S. Novel Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracers for Imaging Mitochondrial Complex I. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:4491-4499. [PMID: 34812607 PMCID: PMC10071493 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been indicated in neurodegenerative and other disorders. The mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) of the electron transport chain (ETC) on the inner membrane is the electron entry point of the ETC and is essential for the production of reactive oxygen species. Based on a recently identified β-keto-amide type MC-I modulator from our laboratory, an 18F-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, 18F-2, was prepared. PET/CT imaging studies demonstrated that 18F-2 exhibited rapid brain uptake without significant wash out during the 60 min scanning time. In addition, the binding of 18F-2 was higher in the regions of the brain stem, cerebellum, and midbrain. The uptake of 18F-2 can be significantly blocked by its parent compound. Collectively, the results strongly suggest successful development of MC-I PET tracers from this chemical scaffold that can be used in future mitochondrial dysfunction studies of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Xu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Yiming Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Savannah Biby
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Ping Bai
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Can Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Changning Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Shijun Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
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Ni R. Positron Emission Tomography in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis: Translational Implications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1179. [PMID: 34832961 PMCID: PMC8623863 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis that recapitulate cerebral amyloid-beta pathology have been widely used in preclinical research and have greatly enabled the mechanistic understanding of Alzheimer's disease and the development of therapeutics. Comprehensive deep phenotyping of the pathophysiological and biochemical features in these animal models is essential. Recent advances in positron emission tomography have allowed the non-invasive visualization of the alterations in the brain of animal models and in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These tools have facilitated our understanding of disease mechanisms and provided longitudinal monitoring of treatment effects in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. In this review, we focus on recent positron emission tomography studies of cerebral amyloid-beta accumulation, hypoglucose metabolism, synaptic and neurotransmitter receptor deficits (cholinergic and glutamatergic system), blood-brain barrier impairment, and neuroinflammation (microgliosis and astrocytosis) in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. We further propose the emerging targets and tracers for reflecting the pathophysiological changes and discuss outstanding challenges in disease animal models and future outlook in the on-chip characterization of imaging biomarkers towards clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
In vivo molecular imaging is a powerful tool to analyze the human body. Precision medicine is receiving high attention these days, and molecular imaging plays an important role as companion diagnostics in precision medicine. Nuclear imaging with PET or SPECT and optical imaging technologies are used for in vivo molecular imaging. Nuclear imaging is superior for quantitative imaging, and whole-body analysis is possible even for humans. Optical imaging is superior due to its ease of use, and highly targeted specific imaging is possible with activatable agents. However, with optical imaging using fluorescence, it is difficult to obtain a signal from deep tissue and quantitation is difficult due to the attenuation and scattering of the fluorescent signal. Recently, to overcome these issues, optoacoustic imaging has been used in in vivo imaging. In this article, we review in vivo molecular imaging with nuclear and optical imaging and discuss their utility for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikako Ogawa
- Laboratory for Bioanalysis and Molecular Imaging, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University.,JST, PRESTO
| | - Hideo Takakura
- Laboratory for Bioanalysis and Molecular Imaging, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
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Coughlin JM, Du Y, Rosenthal HB, Slania S, Min Koo S, Park A, Solomon G, Vranesic M, Antonsdottir I, Speck CL, Rootes-Murdy K, Lerner A, Rowe SP, Wang Y, Lesniak WG, Minn I, Bakker A, Smith GS, Dannals RF, Kuwabara H, Horti A, Wong DF, Pomper MG. The distribution of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in healthy aging: An in vivo positron emission tomography study with [ 18F]ASEM. Neuroimage 2018; 165:118-124. [PMID: 28993233 PMCID: PMC5738927 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered function of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases. Nevertheless, studies of the human cerebral α7-nAChR even in healthy aging are limited in number and to postmortem tissue. METHODS The distribution of the cerebral α7-nAChR was estimated in nine brain regions in 25 healthy volunteers (ages 21-86 years; median 57 years, interquartile range 52 years) using [18F]ASEM with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Regional total distribution volume (VT) measurements were calculated using the Logan method from each subject's 90 min dynamic PET data and their metabolite-corrected plasma input function. Spearman's rank or Pearson's correlation analysis was used depending on the normality of the data. Correlation between age and regional 1) volume relative to intracranial volume (volume ratio) and 2) [18F]ASEM VT was tested. Correlation between regional volume ratio and [18F]ASEM VT was also evaluated. Finally, the relationship between [18F]ASEM VT and neuropsychological measures was investigated in a subpopulation of 15 elderly healthy participants (those 50 years of age and older). Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied to statistical analyses. RESULTS A negative correlation between tissue volume ratio and age was observed in six of the nine brain regions including striatum and five cortical (temporal, occipital, cingulate, frontal, or parietal) regions. A positive correlation between [18F]ASEM VT and age was observed in all nine brain regions of interest (ROIs). There was no correlation between [18F]ASEM VT and volume ratio in any ROI after controlling for age. Regional [18F]ASEM VT and neuropsychological performance on each of eight representative subtests were not correlated among the well-performing subpopulation of elderly healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest an increase in cerebral α7-nAChR distribution over the course of healthy aging that should be tested in future longitudinal studies. The preservation of the α7-nAChR in the aging human brain supports the development of therapeutic agents that target this receptor for use in the elderly. Further study of the relationship between α7-nAChR availability and cognitive impairment over aging is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Coughlin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yong Du
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hailey B Rosenthal
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Slania
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soo Min Koo
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Park
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ghedem Solomon
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Melin Vranesic
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Inga Antonsdottir
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caroline L Speck
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly Rootes-Murdy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexandria Lerner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Steven P Rowe
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wojciech G Lesniak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Il Minn
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arnold Bakker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gwenn S Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert F Dannals
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hiroto Kuwabara
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Horti
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dean F Wong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin G Pomper
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Potential of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor PET imaging in atherosclerosis. Methods 2017; 130:90-104. [PMID: 28602809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic events are usually acute and often strike otherwise asymptomatic patients. Although multiple clinical risk factors have been associated with atherosclerosis, as of yet no further individual prediction can be made as to who will suffer from its consequences based on biomarker analysis or traditional imaging methods like CT, MRI or angiography. Previously, non-invasive imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET was shown to potentially fill this niche as it offers high sensitive detection of metabolic processes associated with inflammatory changes in atherosclerotic plaques. However, 18F-FDG PET imaging of arterial vessels suffers from non-specificity and has still to be proven to reliably identify vulnerable plaques, carrying a high risk of rupture. Therefore, it may be regarded only as a secondary marker for monitoring treatment effects and it does not offer alternative treatment options or direct insight in treatment mechanisms. In this review, an overview is given of the current status and the potential of PET imaging of inflammation and angiogenesis in atherosclerosis in general and special emphasis is given to imaging of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs). Due to the gaps that still exist in our understanding of atherogenesis and the limitations of the available PET tracers, the search continues for a more specific radioligand, able to differentiate between stable atherosclerosis and plaques prone to rupture. The potential role of the α7 nAChR as imaging marker for plaque vulnerability is explored. Today, strong evidence exists that nAChRs are involved in the atherosclerotic disease process. They are suggested to mediate the deleterious effects of the major tobacco component, nicotine, a nAChR agonist. Mainly based on in vitro data, α7 nAChR stimulation might increase plaque burden via increased neovascularization. However, in animal studies, α7 nAChR manipulation appears to reduce plaque size due to its inhibitory effects on inflammatory cells. Thus, reliable identification of α7 nAChRs by in vivo imaging is crucial to investigate the exact role of α7 nAChR in atherosclerosis before any therapeutic approach in the human setting can be justified. In this review, we discuss the first experience with α7 nAChR PET tracers and developmental considerations regarding the "optimal" PET tracer to image vascular nAChRs.
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