The interactions of gallium with various buffers and chelating agents in aqueous solution: gallium-71 and hydrogen-1 NMR studies

Metal-binding cyclodextrins: Synthesis and complexation with Zn2+ and Ga3+ cations towards antimicrobial applications

Highly resistant bacteria producing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) to evade β-lactam antibiotics, constitute a major cause of life-threatening infections world-wide. MBLs exert their hydrolytic action via Zn2+ cations in their active center. Presently, there are no approved drugs to target MBLs and combat the associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Towards this issue, we have prepared a family of cyclodextrins substituted with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) on their narrow side, while the wider side is either unmodified or per-2,3-O-methylated. The molecules form strong coordination complexes with Zn2+ or Ga3+ cations in aqueous solution. Free and metal-complexed compounds have been thoroughly characterized regarding structures, pH-dependent ionization states, distribution of species in solution, pKa values and metal-binding constants. At neutral pH the multi-anionic hosts bind up to four Zn2+ or Ga3+ cations. In vitro, 50 μΜ of the compounds achieve complete re-sensitization of MBL-producing Gram-negative clinical bacterial strains resistant to the carbapenems imipenem and meropenem. Moreover, the radioactive complex [67Ga]Ga-β-IDACYD prepared, displays high radiochemical purity, sufficient stability both overtime and in the presence of human plasma apo-transferrin, thus providing an invaluable tool for future biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies of β-IDACYDin vivo, prerequisites for the development of therapeutic protocols.

Triethylenetetramine-N,N,N',N",N"',N"'-hexaacetic Acid (TTHA) and TTHA-Bis(butanamide) as Chelating Agents Relevant to Radiopharmaceutical Applications

The N,N'-bis(butanamide) derivative of TTHA (TTHA = triethylenetetramine-N,N,N',N",N"',N"'-hexaacetic acid), and its Ga(3+) and In(3+) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The crystal X-ray diffraction structure of [Ga(2)(OH)(2)(TTHA)][Na(2)(H(2)O)(6)].2H(2)O was determined. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 7.179(2) Å, b = 20.334(3) Å, c = 10.902(5) Å, beta = 101.90(2) degrees, and Z = 2. Each gallium atom is bonded to six donor atoms (N(2)O(4)) in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The values of the protonation constants and the protonation sequence were determined by potentiometry and NMR. The stability constants of the Al(3+), Ga(3+), Fe(3+), and In(3+) complexes of TTHA-(BuA)(2) and of the Ga(3+) complex of TTHA were determined by potentiometry. The structures, in solution, of the Al(3+), Ga(3+), and In(3+) complexes of TTHA-(BuA)(2) and TTHA were analyzed by (1)H, (13)C, (27)Al, (71)Ga, and (115)In NMR techniques. Derivatization of two terminal carboxylates by butanamide substituents leads to a significant decrease of the total ligand basicity (5.77 log units) and to a change of the solubility of the resulting complexes. The stability constant of the ML complexes of TTHA-(BuA)(2) with Fe(3+) exhibits the highest value of the series (10(23.92)). The In(3+) complex is more stable than that of Ga(3+) and almost as stable as that of the Fe(3+). However, the decrease in indium and iron complex stability is less drastic going from TTHA to TTHA-(BuA)(2) (about 3 log units) than for Al(3+) or Ga(3+) (about 6 log units). pM values calculated under physiological conditions for DTPA, TTHA, and the bis(butanamide) derivatives have shown that while DTPA remains a ligand of choice to chelate Fe(3+) and In(3+) ions in vivo compared to transferrin as competitor ligand, TTHA, surprisingly, appears to be the best of these four ligands (pM = 22.71) to chelate Ga(3+).

Influence of various factors on binding of 67Ga to polymorphonuclear leukocytes

We have studied in vitro, factors that influence the uptake of 67Ga-citrate by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Citrate at 20 mM concentration decreased the uptake to 1% of control values. Uptake increased as a function of increased microCi of 67Ga/10(7) cells added and incubation time from 0 to 120 min. Uptake decreased somewhat as the incubation pH was lowered from 7.4 to 6.0. Our results suggest that, in vivo, these cells would accumulate 67Ga as the inflammatory lesion progresses while the acidic milieu would modestly reduce uptake.

The mechanism of adsorption of Ga-67 citrate to cultured cells

Gallium adsorption was investigated at various pH values, with and without chelating agents or buffers. Evidence was obtained that Ga-67 citrate was adsorbed to cells in a polymeric form at a certain pH. Adsorption of Ga-67 to cells and to a glass surface reached a maximum at pH 4.5. When Ga-67 solutions were centrifuged to separate the precipitate, the highest precipitated radioactivity was found at the stated pH. With the addition of chelating agents which interact strongly with gallium, the adsorption to either cells or a glass surface was stoichiometrically inhibited. No such inhibition occurred, however, when counter ions unbound to gallium were added. The amount of Ga-67 released from the cell depended on the pH, suggesting that most of the gallium is deposited on the cell surface. Our results support Glickson's conclusion that gallium citrate forms a polymer at a certain acidic pH, which results in an increased cellular uptake by unknown mechanisms, presumably by pynocytosis.