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Mular A, Hubmann I, Petrik M, Bendova K, Neuzilova B, Aguiar M, Caballero P, Shanzer A, Kozłowski H, Haas H, Decristoforo C, Gumienna-Kontecka E. Biomimetic Analogues of the Desferrioxamine E Siderophore for PET Imaging of Invasive Aspergillosis: Targeting Properties and Species Specificity. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12143-12154. [PMID: 38907990 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus utilizes a cyclic ferrioxamine E (FOXE) siderophore to acquire iron from the host. Biomimetic FOXE analogues were labeled with gallium-68 for molecular imaging with PET. [68Ga]Ga(III)-FOXE analogues were internalized in A. fumigatus cells via Sit1. Uptake of [68Ga]Ga(III)-FOX 2-5, the most structurally alike analogue to FOXE, was high by both A. fumigatus and bacterial Staphylococcus aureus. However, altering the ring size provoked species-specific uptake between these two microbes: ring size shortening by one methylene unit (FOX 2-4) increased uptake by A. fumigatus compared to that by S. aureus, whereas lengthening the ring (FOX 2-6 and 3-5) had the opposite effect. These results were consistent both in vitro and in vivo, including PET imaging in infection models. Overall, this study provided valuable structural insights into the specificity of siderophore uptake and, for the first time, opened up ways for selective targeting and imaging of microbial pathogens by siderophore derivatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Mular
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Isabella Hubmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Bendova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Neuzilova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Mario Aguiar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patricia Caballero
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Abraham Shanzer
- Department of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
- Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Katowicka 68, 45-060 Opole, Poland
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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LeBlanc AR, Wuest WM. Siderophores: A Case Study in Translational Chemical Biology. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 39041827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00276] [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: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Siderophores are metal-binding secondary metabolites that assist in iron homeostasis and have been of interest to the scientific community for the last half century. Foundational siderophore research has enabled several translational applications including siderophore-antibiotic and siderophore-peptide conjugates, identification of new antimicrobial targets, advances in disease imaging, and novel therapeutics. This review aims to connect the basic science research (biosynthesis, cellular uptake, gene regulation, and effects on homeostasis) of well-known siderophores with the successive translational application that results. Intertwined throughout are connections to the career of Christopher T. Walsh, his impact on the field of chemical biology, and the legacy of his trainees who continue to innovate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R LeBlanc
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - William M Wuest
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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3
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Akter A, Firth G, Darwesh AMF, Cooper MS, Chuljerm H, Cilibrizzi A, Blower PJ, Hider RC, Lyons O, Schelenz S, Mehra V, Abbate V. [ 68Ga]Ga-Schizokinen, a Potential Radiotracer for Selective Bacterial Infection Imaging. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 39012184 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00067] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Gallium-68-labeled siderophores as radiotracers have gained interest for the development of in situ infection-specific imaging diagnostics. Here, we report radiolabeling, in vitro screening, and in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) of gallium-68-labeled schizokinen ([68Ga]Ga-SKN) as a new potential radiotracer for imaging bacterial infections. We radiolabeled SKN with ≥95% radiochemical purity. Our in vitro studies demonstrated its hydrophilic characteristics, neutral pH stability, and short-term stability in human serum and toward transchelation. In vitro uptake of [68Ga]Ga-SKN by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis, but no uptake by Candida glabrata, C. albicans, or Aspergillus fumigatus, demonstrated its specificity to bacterial species. Whole-body [68Ga]Ga-SKN positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computerized tomography (CT) in healthy mice showed rapid renal excretion with no or minimal organ uptake. The subsequent ex vivo biodistribution resembled this fast PK with rapid renal excretion with minimal blood retention and no major organ uptake and showed some dissociation of the tracer in the urine after 60 min postinjection. These findings warrant further evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-SKN as a bacteria-specific radiotracer for infection imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Akter
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - George Firth
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Afnan M F Darwesh
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Margaret S Cooper
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Hataichanok Chuljerm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
- School of Health Sciences Research, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Agostino Cilibrizzi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Robert C Hider
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Lyons
- Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
| | - Silke Schelenz
- Department of Microbiology, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Varun Mehra
- Department of Hematology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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Krasulova K, Neuzilova B, Dvorakova Bendova K, Novy Z, Popper M, Hajduch M, Petrik M. Preclinical characterisation of gallium-68 labeled ferrichrome siderophore stereoisomers for PET imaging applications. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:20. [PMID: 38436776 PMCID: PMC10912063 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00249-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Siderophores are small iron-binding molecules produced by microorganisms to facilitate iron acquisition from the environment. Radiolabelled siderophores offer a promising solution for infection imaging, as they can specifically target the pathophysiological mechanisms of pathogens. Gallium-68 can replace the iron in siderophores, enabling molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET). Stereospecific interactions play a crucial role in the recognition of receptors, transporters, and iron utilisation. Furthermore, these interactions have an impact on the host environment, affecting pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. This study examines the influence of siderophore stereoisomerism on imaging properties, with a focus on ferrirubin (FR) and ferrirhodin (FRH), two cis-trans isomeric siderophores of the ferrichrome type. RESULTS Tested siderophores were labelled with gallium-68 with high radiochemical purity. The resulting complexes differed in their in vitro characteristics. [68Ga]Ga-FRH showed less hydrophilic properties and higher protein binding values than [68Ga]Ga-FR. The stability studies confirmed the high radiochemical stability of both [68Ga]Ga-siderophores in all examined media. Both siderophores were found to be taken up by S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa with similar efficacy. The biodistribution tested in normal mice showed rapid renal clearance with low blood pool retention and fast clearance from examined organs for [68Ga]Ga-FR, whereas [68Ga]Ga-FRH showed moderate retention in blood, resulting in slower pharmacokinetics. PET/CT imaging of mice injected with [68Ga]Ga-FR and [68Ga]Ga-FRH confirmed findings from ex vivo biodistribution studies. In a mouse model of S. aureus myositis, both radiolabeled siderophores showed radiotracer accumulation at the site of infection. CONCLUSIONS The 68Ga-complexes of stereoisomers ferrirubin and ferrirhodin revealed different pharmacokinetic profiles. In vitro uptake was not affected by isomerism. Both compounds had uptake with the same bacterial culture with similar efficacy. PET/CT imaging showed that the [68Ga]Ga-complexes accumulate at the site of S. aureus infection, highlighting the potential of [68Ga]Ga-FR as a promising tool for infection imaging. In contrast, retention of the radioactivity in the blood was observed for [68Ga]Ga-FRH. In conclusion, the stereoisomerism of potential radiotracers should be considered, as even minor structural differences can influence their pharmacokinetics and, consequently, the results of PET imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Krasulova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Neuzilova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Dvorakova Bendova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Novy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Popper
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- University Hospital Olomouc, I.P. Pavlova 6, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Happacher I, Aguiar M, Yap A, Decristoforo C, Haas H. Fungal siderophore metabolism with a focus on Aspergillus fumigatus: impact on biotic interactions and potential translational applications. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:829-842. [PMID: 37313590 PMCID: PMC10500206 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an essential trace element that is limiting in most habitats including hosts for fungal pathogens. Siderophores are iron-chelators synthesized by most fungal species for high-affinity uptake and intracellular handling of iron. Moreover, virtually all fungal species including those lacking siderophore biosynthesis appear to be able to utilize siderophores produced by other species. Siderophore biosynthesis has been shown to be crucial for virulence of several fungal pathogens infecting animals and plants revealing induction of this iron acquisition system during virulence, which offers translational potential of this fungal-specific system. The present article summarizes the current knowledge on the fungal siderophore system with a focus on Aspergillus fumigatus and its potential translational application including noninvasive diagnosis of fungal infections via urine samples, imaging of fungal infections via labeling of siderophores with radionuclides such as Gallium-68 for detection with positron emission tomography, conjugation of siderophores with fluorescent probes, and development of novel antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidor Happacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mario Aguiar
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annie Yap
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Kleynhans J, Sathekge MM, Ebenhan T. Preclinical Research Highlighting Contemporary Targeting Mechanisms of Radiolabelled Compounds for PET Based Infection Imaging. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:630-643. [PMID: 37012169 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
It is important to constantly monitor developments in the preclinical imaging arena of infection. Firstly, novel radiopharmaceuticals with the correct characteristics must be identified to funnel into the clinic. Secondly, it must be evaluated if enough innovative research is being done and adequate resources are geared towards the development of radiopharmaceuticals that could feed into the Nuclear Medicine Clinic in the near future. It is proposed that the ideal infection imaging agent will involve PET combined with CT but more ideally MRI. The radiopharmaceuticals currently presented in preclinical literature have a wide selection of vectors and targets. Ionic formulations of PET-radionuclides such 64CuCl2 and 68GaCl2 are evaluated for bacterial infection imaging. Many small molecule based radiopharmaceuticals are being investigated with the most prominent targets being cell wall synthesis, maltodextrin transport (such as [18F]F-maltotriose), siderophores (bacterial and fungal infections), the folate synthesis pathway (such as [18F]F-PABA) and protein synthesis (radiolabelled puromycin). Mycobacterial specific antibiotics, antifungals and antiviral agents are also under investigation as infection imaging agents. Peptide based radiopharmaceuticals are developed for bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The radiopharmaceutical development could even react quickly enough on a pandemic to develop a SARS-CoV-2 imaging agent in a timely fashion ([64Cu]Cu-NOTA-EK1). New immuno-PET agents for the imaging of viruses have recently been published, specifically for HIV persistence but also for SARS-CoV2. A very promising antifungal immuno-PET agent (hJ5F) is also considered. Future technologies could include the application of aptamers and bacteriophages and even going as far as the design of theranostic infection. Another possibility would be the application of nanobodies for immuno-PET applications. Standardization and optimization of the preclinical evaluation of radiopharmaceuticals could enhance clinical translation and reduce time spent in pursuing less than optimal candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janke Kleynhans
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences, Radiopharmaceutical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mike Machaba Sathekge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa; Preclinical Imaging Facility, Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thomas Ebenhan
- Preclinical Imaging Facility, Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Lamoth F. Novel Approaches in the Management of Mucormycosis. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2023; 17:1-10. [PMID: 37360854 PMCID: PMC10165581 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-023-00463-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Invasive mucormycosis (IM), caused by fungi of the order Mucorales, is one of the deadliest fungal infection among hematologic cancer patients. Its incidence is also increasingly reported in immunocompetent individuals, notably with the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of IM. This review discusses the current advances in this field. Recent Findings Early diagnosis of IM is crucial and can be improved by Mucorales-specific PCR and development of lateral-flow immunoassays for specific antigen detection. The spore coat proteins (CotH) are essential for virulence of the Mucorales and may represent a target for novel antifungal therapies. Adjuvant therapies boosting the immune response, such as interferon-γ, anti-PDR1 or fungal-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, are also considered. Summary The most promising perspectives for improved management of IM consist of a multilayered approach targeting both the pathogen and the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Lamoth
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Benfante V, Stefano A, Ali M, Laudicella R, Arancio W, Cucchiara A, Caruso F, Cammarata FP, Coronnello C, Russo G, Miele M, Vieni A, Tuttolomondo A, Yezzi A, Comelli A. An Overview of In Vitro Assays of 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-Labelled Radiopharmaceuticals Using Radiometric Counters in the Era of Radiotheranostics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13071210. [PMID: 37046428 PMCID: PMC10093267 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Radionuclides are unstable isotopes that mainly emit alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ) radiation through radiation decay. Therefore, they are used in the biomedical field to label biomolecules or drugs for diagnostic imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and/or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A growing field of research is the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for use in cancer treatments. Preclinical studies are the gold standard for translational research. Specifically, in vitro radiopharmaceutical studies are based on the use of radiopharmaceuticals directly on cells. To date, radiometric β- and γ-counters are the only tools able to assess a preclinical in vitro assay with the aim of estimating uptake, retention, and release parameters, including time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and kinetic parameters. This review has been designed for researchers, such as biologists and biotechnologists, who would like to approach the radiobiology field and conduct in vitro assays for cellular radioactivity evaluations using radiometric counters. To demonstrate the importance of in vitro radiopharmaceutical assays using radiometric counters with a view to radiogenomics, many studies based on 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals have been revised and summarized in this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Benfante
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Alessandro Stefano
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Walter Arancio
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Cucchiara
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Caruso
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Cammarata
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Claudia Coronnello
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Monica Miele
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vieni
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS-ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies), Via Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Tuttolomondo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anthony Yezzi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Albert Comelli
- Ri.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Current and Future Pathways in Aspergillus Diagnosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020385. [PMID: 36830296 PMCID: PMC9952630 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus has been designated by the World Health Organization as a critical priority fungal pathogen. Some commercially available diagnostics for many forms of aspergillosis rely on fungal metabolites. These encompass intracellular molecules, cell wall components, and extracellular secretomes. This review summarizes the shortcomings of antibody tests compared to tests of fungal products in body fluids and highlights the application of β-d-glucan, galactomannan, and pentraxin 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. We also discuss the detection of nucleic acids and next-generation sequencing, along with newer studies on Aspergillus metallophores.
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10
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Akter A, Lyons O, Mehra V, Isenman H, Abbate V. Radiometal chelators for infection diagnostics. FRONTIERS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:1058388. [PMID: 37388440 PMCID: PMC7614707 DOI: 10.3389/fnume.2022.1058388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Infection of native tissues or implanted devices is common, but clinical diagnosis is frequently difficult and currently available noninvasive tests perform poorly. Immunocompromised individuals (for example transplant recipients, or those with cancer) are at increased risk. No imaging test in clinical use can specifically identify infection, or accurately differentiate bacterial from fungal infections. Commonly used [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT) is sensitive for infection, but limited by poor specificity because increased glucose uptake may also indicate inflammation or malignancy. Furthermore, this tracer provides no indication of the type of infective agent (bacterial, fungal, or parasitic). Imaging tools that directly and specifically target microbial pathogens are highly desirable to improve noninvasive infection diagnosis and localization. A growing field of research is exploring the utility of radiometals and their chelators (siderophores), which are small molecules that bind radiometals and form a stable complex allowing sequestration by microbes. This radiometal-chelator complex can be directed to a specific microbial target in vivo, facilitating anatomical localization by PET or single photon emission computed tomography. Additionally, bifunctional chelators can further conjugate therapeutic molecules (e.g., peptides, antibiotics, antibodies) while still bound to desired radiometals, combining specific imaging with highly targeted antimicrobial therapy. These novel therapeutics may prove a useful complement to the armamentarium in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. This review will highlight current state of infection imaging diagnostics and their limitations, strategies to develop infection-specific diagnostics, recent advances in radiometal-based chelators for microbial infection imaging, challenges, and future directions to improve targeted diagnostics and/or therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Akter
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Lyons
- Vascular Endovascular and Transplant Surgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Varun Mehra
- Department of Hematology, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Isenman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ankrah AO, Lawal IO, Dierckx RAJO, Sathekge MM, Glaudemans AWJM. Imaging of Invasive Fungal Infections- The Role of PET/CT. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:57-69. [PMID: 35933165 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, the population at risk for invasive fungal disease (IFD) has increased because of medical therapy advances and diseases compromising patients' immune systems. The high morbidity and mortality associated with invasive fungal disease in the immunocompromised present the challenge of early diagnosis of the IFD and the need to closely monitor the infection during treatment. The definitive diagnosis of invasive fungal disease based on culture or histopathological methods often has reduced diagnostic accuracy in the immunocompromised and may be very invasive. Less invasive and indirect evidence of the fungal infection by serology and imaging has been used for the early diagnosis of fungal infection before definitive results are available or when the definitive methods of diagnosis are suboptimal. Imaging in invasive fungal disease is a non-invasive biomarker that helps in the early diagnosis of invasive fungal disease but helps follow-up the infection during treatment. Different imaging modalities are used in the workup to evaluate fungal disease. The different imaging modalities have advantages and disadvantages at different sites in the body and may complement each other in the management of IFD. Positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography with [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG PET/CT) has helped manage IFD. The combined functional data from PET and anatomical data from the CT from almost the whole body allows noninvasive evaluation of IFD and provides a semiquantitative means of assessing therapy. FDG PET/CT adds value to anatomic-based only imaging modalities. The nonspecificity of FDG uptake has led to the evaluation of other tracers in the assessment of IFD. However, these are mainly still at the preclinical level and are yet to be translated to humans. FDG PET/CT remains the most widely evaluated radionuclide-based imaging modality in IFD management. The limitations of FDG PET/CT must be well understood, and more extensive prospective studies in uniform populations are needed to validate its role in the management of IFD that can be international guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred O Ankrah
- National Centre for Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra GA, Ghana; Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa; Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Ismaheel O Lawal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Rudi A J O Dierckx
- Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike M Sathekge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andor W J M Glaudemans
- Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) such as invasive aspergillosis continue to be associated with high morbidity and mortality while presenting significant diagnostic challenges. Siderophores are high-affinity Fe 3+ chelators produced by Aspergillus spp. and other fungi capable of causing IFD. Previously evaluated as a treatment target in mucormycosis, siderophores have recently emerged as new diagnostic targets for invasive aspergillosis and scedosporiosis. Here, we review the diagnostic potential of siderophores for diagnosing IFD, with a particular focus on invasive aspergillosis. RECENT FINDINGS The major secreted siderophore of A. fumigatus , triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC), has been successfully detected by mass spectrometry in serum, BALF and urine of patients with invasive aspergillosis, with promising sensitivities and specificities in single-centre studies. Intracellular uptake of siderophores has also been utilized for imaging, wherein fungal siderophores have been conjugated with the easy-to-produce radioactive isotope gallium-68 ( 68 Ga) to visualize infected body sites in PET. For the Scedosporium apiospermum complex, another siderophore N(α)-methyl coprogen B has been shown promising as a marker for airway colonization in early studies. SUMMARY Siderophores and particular TAFC have the potential to revolutionize diagnostic pathways for invasive aspergillosis and other mould infections. However, larger multicentre studies are needed to confirm these promising performances. Methods that allow rapid and cost-effective measurements in routine clinical practice need to be developed, particularly when TAFC is used as a biomarker in patient specimens.
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13
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Genetic Engineering of Talaromyces marneffei to Enhance Siderophore Production and Preliminary Testing for Medical Application Potential. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111183. [DOI: 10.3390/jof8111183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Siderophores are compounds with low molecular weight with a high affinity and specificity for ferric iron, which is produced by bacteria and fungi. Fungal siderophores have been characterized and their feasibility for clinical applications has been investigated. Fungi may be limited in slow growth and low siderophore production; however, they have advantages of high diversity and affinity. Hence, the purpose of this study was to generate a genetically modified strain in Talaromyces marneffei that enhanced siderophore production and to identify the characteristics of siderophore to guide its medical application. SreA is a transcription factor that negatively controls iron acquisition mechanisms. Therefore, we deleted the sreA gene to enhance the siderophore production and found that the null mutant of sreA (ΔsreA) produced a high amount of extracellular siderophores. The produced siderophore was characterized using HPLC-MS, HPLC-DAD, FTIR, and 1H- and 13C-NMR techniques and identified as a coprogen B. The compound showed a powerful iron-binding activity and could reduce labile iron pool levels in iron-loaded hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh7) cells. In addition, the coprogen B showed no toxicity to the Huh7 cells, demonstrating its potential to serve as an ideal iron chelator. Moreover, it inhibits the growth of Candida albicans and Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, we have generated the siderophore-enhancing strain of T. marneffei, and the coprogen B isolated from this strain could be useful in the development of a new iron-chelating agent or other medical applications.
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Co CM, Mulgaonkar A, Zhou N, Harris S, Öz OK, Tang L, Sun X. PET Imaging of Active Invasive Fungal Infections with d-[5- 11C]-Glutamine. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1663-1673. [PMID: 35869564 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence and severity of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), especially in immunocompromised populations, has amplified the need for rapid diagnosis of fungal pathogens. Radiotracers derived from d-amino acids (DAAs) show promise as bacterial-specific positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents due to their preferential consumption by bacteria and largely nonutilization by hosts. Unlike mammals, fungi can utilize external DAAs including d-glutamine for their growth by rapidly upregulating DAA oxidases. Additionally, glutamine is essential for fungal nitrogen assimilation, survival, and virulence. We previously validated d-[5-11C]-glutamine (d-[5-11C]-Gln) as an efficient radiotracer targeting live bacterial soft-tissue infections. Here, we further expanded this investigation to evaluate its translational potential for PET imaging of IFIs in immunocompetent mouse models subcutaneously (SubQ) and intramuscularly (IM) infected with Candida albicans (C. albicans), using its l-isomer counterpart (l-[5-11C]-Gln) as a control. Comparative studies between pathogens showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher uptake in fungi (C. albicans and C. tropicalis) versus tested bacterial species for d-[5-11C]-Gln, suggesting that it could potentially serve as a more sensitive radiotracer for detection of fungal infections. Additionally, comparative PET imaging studies in immunocompetent infected mice demonstrated significantly higher infection-to-background ratios for d- versus l-[5-11C]-Gln in both SubQ (ratio = 1.97, p = 0.043) and IM (ratio = 1.97, p = 0.028) infections. Fungal infection imaging specificity was confirmed with no significant difference observed between localized inflammation sites versus untreated muscle background (heat-killed injection site/untreated muscle: ∼1.1). Taken together, this work demonstrates the translational potential of d-[5-11C]-Gln for noninvasive PET imaging of IFIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M Co
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Aditi Mulgaonkar
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Ning Zhou
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Shelby Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Orhan K Öz
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Liping Tang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
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15
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Ye J, Wang Y, Li X, Wan Q, Zhang Y, Lu L. Synergistic Antifungal Effect of a Combination of Iron Deficiency and Calcium Supplementation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0112122. [PMID: 35674440 PMCID: PMC9241635 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01121-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases have become a major public health issue worldwide. Increasing drug resistance and the limited number of available antifungals result in high morbidity and mortality. Metal-based drugs have been reported to be therapeutic agents against major protozoan diseases, but knowledge of their ability to function as antifungals is limited. In this study, we found that calcium supplementation combined with iron deficiency causes dramatic growth inhibition of the human fungal pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Calcium induces the downregulation of iron uptake-related genes and, in particular, causes a decrease in the expression of the transcription factor HapX, which tends to transcriptionally activate siderophore-mediated iron acquisition under iron-deficient conditions. Iron deficiency causes calcium overload and the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and perturbed ion homeostasis suppresses fungal growth. These phenomena are consistently identified in azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. The findings here imply that low iron availability lets cells mistakenly absorb calcium as a substitute, causing calcium abnormalities. Thus, there is a mutual effect between iron and calcium in fungal pathogens, and the combination of calcium with an iron chelator could serve to improve antifungal therapy. IMPORTANCE Millions of immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing different types of severe fungal diseases. The limited number of antifungals and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance highlight an urgent need for new strategies against invasive fungal infections. Here, we report that calcium can interfere with iron absorption of fungal pathogens, especially in iron-limited environments. Thus, a combination of calcium supplementation with an iron chelator inhibits the growth of human fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Moreover, we demonstrate that iron deficiency induces a nonspecific calcium uptake response, which results in toxic levels of metal. Findings in this study suggest that a microenvironment with excess calcium and limited iron is an efficient strategy to curb the growth of fungal pathogens, especially for drug-resistant isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yamei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinyi Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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16
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Firth G, Blower JE, Bartnicka JJ, Mishra A, Michaels AM, Rigby A, Darwesh A, Al-Salemee F, Blower PJ. Non-invasive radionuclide imaging of trace metal trafficking in health and disease: "PET metallomics". RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:495-518. [PMID: 35656481 PMCID: PMC9092424 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00033d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Several specific metallic elements must be present in the human body to maintain health and function. Maintaining the correct quantity (from trace to bulk) and location at the cell and tissue level is essential. The study of the biological role of metals has become known as metallomics. While quantities of metals in cells and tissues can be readily measured in biopsy and autopsy samples by destructive analytical techniques, their trafficking and its role in health and disease are poorly understood. Molecular imaging with radionuclides - positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) - is emerging as a means to non-invasively study the acute trafficking of essential metals between organs, non-invasively and in real time, in health and disease. PET scanners are increasingly widely available in hospitals, and methods for producing radionuclides of some of the key essential metals are developing fast. This review summarises recent developments in radionuclide imaging technology that permit such investigations, describes the radiological and physicochemical properties of key radioisotopes of essential trace metals and useful analogues, and introduces current and potential future applications in preclinical and clinical investigations to study the biology of essential trace metals in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Firth
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Julia E Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Joanna J Bartnicka
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Aishwarya Mishra
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Aidan M Michaels
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Alex Rigby
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Afnan Darwesh
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Fahad Al-Salemee
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Philip J Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital London UK
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17
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Pandey A, Cao M, Boros E. Tracking Uptake and Metabolism of Xenometallomycins Using a Multi-Isotope Tagging Strategy. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:878-888. [PMID: 35319188 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00005] [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]
Abstract
Synthetic and naturally occurring siderophores and their conjugates provide access to the bacterial cytoplasm via active membrane transport. Previously, we displaced iron with the radioactive isotope 67Ga to quantify and track in vitro and in vivo uptake and distribution of siderophore Trojan Horse antibiotic conjugates. Here, we introduce a multi-isotope tagging strategy to individually elucidate the fate of metal cargo and the ligand construct with radioisotopes 67Ga and 124I. We synthesized gallium(III) model complexes of a ciprofloxacin-functionalized linear desferrichrome (Ga-D6) and deferoxamine (Ga-D7) incorporating an iodo-tyrosine linker to enable radiolabeling using the metal-binding (67Ga) and the cargo-conjugation site (124I). Radiochemical experiments with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa wt strains show that 67Ga-D6/D7 and Ga-D6-124I/D7-124I have comparable uptake, indicating intact complex import and siderophore-mediated uptake. In naive mice, 67Ga-D6/D7 and Ga-D6-124I/D7-124I demonstrate predominantly renal clearance; urine metabolite analysis indicates in vivo dissociation of Ga(III) is a likely mechanism of degradation for 67Ga-D6/D7 when compared to ligand radiolabeled compounds, Ga-D6-124I/D7-124I, which remain >60% intact in urine. Cumulatively, this work demonstrates that a multi-isotope tagging strategy effectively elucidates the in vitro uptake, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo stability of xenometallomycins with modular chemical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Minhua Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Eszter Boros
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
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18
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In vivo imaging of invasive aspergillosis with 18F-fluorodeoxysorbitol positron emission tomography. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1926. [PMID: 35395822 PMCID: PMC8993802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29553-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is a critical complication in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies or with viral pneumonia caused by influenza virus or SARS‑CoV‑2. Although early and accurate diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis can maximize clinical outcomes, current diagnostic methods are time-consuming and poorly sensitive. Here, we assess the ability of 2-deoxy-2-18F-fluorosorbitol (18F-FDS) positron emission tomography (PET) to specifically and noninvasively detect Aspergillus infections. We show that 18F-FDS PET can be used to visualize Aspergillus fumigatus infection of the lungs, brain, and muscles in mouse models. In particular, 18F-FDS can distinguish pulmonary aspergillosis from Staphylococcus aureus infection, both of which induce pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients. Thus, our results indicate that the combination of 18F-FDS PET and appropriate clinical information may be useful in the differential diagnosis and localization of invasive aspergillosis.
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19
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Signore A, Conserva M, Varani M, Galli F, Lauri C, Velikyan I, Roivainen A. PET imaging of bacteria. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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20
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Evaluation of 2-[ 18F]-Fluorodeoxysorbitol PET Imaging in Preclinical Models of Aspergillus Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:jof8010025. [PMID: 35049965 PMCID: PMC8780649 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing associated mortality and morbidity, the diagnosis of fungal infections, especially with Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), remains challenging. Based on known ability of Aspergillus species to utilize sorbitol, we evaluated 2-[18F]-fluorodeoxysorbitol (FDS), a recently described Enterobacterales imaging ligand, in animal models of A. fumigatus infection, in comparison with 2-[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). In vitro assays showed slightly higher 3H-sorbitol uptake by live compared with heat-killed A. fumigatus. However, this was 10.6-fold lower than E. coli uptake. FDS positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of A. fumigatus pneumonia showed low uptake in infected lungs compared with FDG (0.290 ± 0.030 vs. 8.416 ± 0.964 %ID/mL). This uptake was higher than controls (0.098 ± 0.008 %ID/mL) and minimally higher than lung inflammation (0.167 ± 0.007 %ID/mL). In the myositis models, FDS uptake was highest in live E. coli infections. Uptake was low in A. fumigatus myositis model and only slightly higher in live compared with the heat-killed side. In conclusion, we found low uptake of 3H-sorbitol and FDS by A. fumigatus cultures and infection models compared with E. coli, likely due to the need for induction of sorbitol dehydrogenase by sorbitol. Our findings do not support FDS as an Aspergillus imaging agent. At this point, FDS remains more selective for imaging Gram-negative Enterobacterales.
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21
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Pecoraro L, Wang X, Shah D, Song X, Kumar V, Shakoor A, Tripathi K, Ramteke PW, Rani R. Biosynthesis Pathways, Transport Mechanisms and Biotechnological Applications of Fungal Siderophores. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:21. [PMID: 35049961 PMCID: PMC8781417 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element on earth and represents an essential nutrient for life. As a fundamental mineral element for cell growth and development, iron is available for uptake as ferric ions, which are usually oxidized into complex oxyhydroxide polymers, insoluble under aerobic conditions. In these conditions, the bioavailability of iron is dramatically reduced. As a result, microorganisms face problems of iron acquisition, especially under low concentrations of this element. However, some microbes have evolved mechanisms for obtaining ferric irons from the extracellular medium or environment by forming small molecules often regarded as siderophores. Siderophores are high affinity iron-binding molecules produced by a repertoire of proteins found in the cytoplasm of cyanobacteria, bacteria, fungi, and plants. Common groups of siderophores include hydroxamates, catecholates, carboxylates, and hydroximates. The hydroxamate siderophores are commonly synthesized by fungi. L-ornithine is a biosynthetic precursor of siderophores, which is synthesized from multimodular large enzyme complexes through non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), while siderophore-Fe chelators cell wall mannoproteins (FIT1, FIT2, and FIT3) help the retention of siderophores. S. cerevisiae, for example, can express these proteins in two genetically separate systems (reductive and nonreductive) in the plasma membrane. These proteins can convert Fe (III) into Fe (II) by a ferrous-specific metalloreductase enzyme complex and flavin reductases (FREs). However, regulation of the siderophore through Fur Box protein on the DNA promoter region and its activation or repression depend primarily on the Fe availability in the external medium. Siderophores are essential due to their wide range of applications in biotechnology, medicine, bioremediation of heavy metal polluted environments, biocontrol of plant pathogens, and plant growth enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Pecoraro
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Xiao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Dawood Shah
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
- Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Xiaoxuan Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Vishal Kumar
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyongsan 38541, Korea;
| | - Abdul Shakoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Keshawanand Tripathi
- Center for Conservation and Utilization of Blue-Green Algae, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India;
| | - Pramod W. Ramteke
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Mandsaur University, Mandsaur 458001, India;
| | - Rupa Rani
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.W.); (D.S.); (X.S.); (A.S.); (R.R.)
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, India
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22
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Radionuclide Imaging of Invasive Fungal Disease in Immunocompromised Hosts. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11112057. [PMID: 34829403 PMCID: PMC8620393 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) leads to increased mortality, morbidity, and costs of treatment in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. The definitive diagnosis of IFD relies on the isolation of the causative fungal agents through microscopy, culture, or nucleic acid testing in tissue samples obtained from the sites of the disease. Biopsy is not always feasible or safe to be undertaken in immunocompromised hosts at risk of IFD. Noninvasive diagnostic techniques are, therefore, needed for the diagnosis and treatment response assessment of IFD. The available techniques that identify fungal-specific antigens in biological samples for diagnosing IFD have variable sensitivity and specificity. They also have limited utility in response assessment. Imaging has, therefore, been applied for the noninvasive detection of IFD. Morphologic imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most applied technique. These techniques are neither sufficiently sensitive nor specific for the early diagnosis of IFD. Morphologic changes evaluated by CT and MRI occur later in the disease course and during recovery after successful treatment. These modalities may, therefore, not be ideal for early diagnosis and early response to therapy determination. Radionuclide imaging allows for targeting the host response to pathogenic fungi or specific structures of the pathogen itself. This makes radionuclide imaging techniques suitable for the early diagnosis and treatment response assessment of IFD. In this review, we aimed to discuss the interplay of host immunity, immunosuppression, and the occurrence of IFD. We also discuss the currently available radionuclide probes that have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies for their ability to detect IFD.
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23
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Moloney NM, Larkin A, Xu L, Fitzpatrick DA, Crean HL, Walshe K, Haas H, Decristoforo C, Doyle S. Generation and characterisation of a semi-synthetic siderophore-immunogen conjugate and a derivative recombinant triacetylfusarinine C-specific monoclonal antibody with fungal diagnostic application. Anal Biochem 2021; 632:114384. [PMID: 34543643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe life-threatening condition. Diagnosis of fungal disease in general, and especially that caused by Aspergillus fumigatus is problematic. A. fumigatus secretes siderophores to acquire iron during infection, which are also essential for virulence. We describe the chemoacetylation of ferrated fusarinine C to diacetylated fusarinine C (DAFC), followed by protein conjugation, which facilitated triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC)-specific monoclonal antibody production with specific recognition of the ferrated form of TAFC. A single monoclonal antibody sequence was ultimately elucidated by a combinatorial strategy involving protein LC-MS/MS, cDNA sequencing and RNAseq. The resultant murine IgG2a monoclonal antibody was secreted in, and purified from, mammalian cell culture (5 mg) and demonstrated to be highly specific for TAFC detection by competitive ELISA (detection limit: 15 nM) and in a lateral flow test system (detection limit: 3 ng), using gold nanoparticle conjugated- DAFC-bovine serum albumin for competition. Overall, this work reveals for the first time a recombinant TAFC-specific monoclonal antibody with diagnostic potential for IPA diagnosis in traditional and emerging patient groups (e.g., COVID-19) and presents a useful strategy for murine Ig sequence determination, and expression in HEK293 cells, to overcome unexpected limitations associated with aberrant or deficient murine monoclonal antibody production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Moloney
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Annemarie Larkin
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linan Xu
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - David A Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Holly L Crean
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Kieran Walshe
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 5, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F2H6, Ireland.
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Kuzma BA, Pence IJ, Greenfield DA, Ho A, Evans CL. Visualizing and quantifying antimicrobial drug distribution in tissue. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113942. [PMID: 34437983 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of drugs are vital to the mechanistic understanding of their efficacy. Measuring antimicrobial drug efficacy has been challenging as plasma drug concentration is used as a surrogate for tissue drug concentration, yet typically does not reflect that at the intended site(s) of action. Utilizing an image-guided approach, it is feasible to accurately quantify the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics within the desired site(s) of action. We outline imaging modalities used in visualizing drug distribution with examples ranging from in vitro cellular drug uptake to clinical treatment of microbial infections. The imaging modalities of interest are: radio-labeling, magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry imaging, computed tomography, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopy. We outline the progress, limitations, and future outlook for each methodology. Further advances in these optical approaches would benefit patients and researchers alike, as non-invasive imaging could yield more profound insights with a lower clinical burden than invasive measurement approaches used today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Kuzma
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Isaac J Pence
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Daniel A Greenfield
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Alexander Ho
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Conor L Evans
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
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25
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Pfister J, Petrik M, Bendova K, Matuszczak B, Binder U, Misslinger M, Kühbacher A, Gsaller F, Haas H, Decristoforo C. Antifungal Siderophore Conjugates for Theranostic Applications in Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Using Low-Molecular TAFC Scaffolds. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:558. [PMID: 34356941 PMCID: PMC8304796 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening form of fungal infection, primarily in immunocompromised patients and associated with significant mortality. Diagnostic procedures are often invasive and/or time consuming and existing antifungals can be constrained by dose-limiting toxicity and drug interaction. In this study, we modified triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC), the main siderophore produced by the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), with antifungal molecules to perform antifungal susceptibility tests and molecular imaging. A variation of small organic molecules (eflornithine, fludioxonil, thiomersal, fluoroorotic acid (FOA), cyanine 5 (Cy5) with antifungal activity were coupled to diacetylfusarinine C (DAFC), resulting in a "Trojan horse" to deliver antifungal compounds specifically into A. fumigatus hyphae by the major facilitator transporter MirB. Radioactive labeling with gallium-68 allowed us to perform in vitro characterization (distribution coefficient, stability, uptake assay) as well as biodistribution experiments and PET/CT imaging in an IPA rat infection model. Compounds chelated with stable gallium were used for antifungal susceptibility tests. [Ga]DAFC-fludioxonil, -FOA, and -Cy5 revealed a MirB-dependent active uptake with fungal growth inhibition at 16 µg/mL after 24 h. Visualization of an A. fumigatus infection in lungs of a rat was possible with gallium-68-labeled compounds using PET/CT. Heterogeneous biodistribution patterns revealed the immense influence of the antifungal moiety conjugated to DAFC. Overall, novel antifungal siderophore conjugates with promising fungal growth inhibition and the possibility to perform PET imaging combine both therapeutic and diagnostic potential in a theranostic compound for IPA caused by A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 77200 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (K.B.)
| | - Katerina Bendova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 77200 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (K.B.)
| | - Barbara Matuszczak
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Matthias Misslinger
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (A.K.); (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (A.K.); (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (A.K.); (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (A.K.); (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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Siddiqui NA, Houson HA, Kamble NS, Blanco JR, O'Donnell RE, Hassett DJ, Lapi SE, Kotagiri N. Leveraging copper import by yersiniabactin siderophore system for targeted PET imaging of bacteria. JCI Insight 2021; 6:144880. [PMID: 34027898 PMCID: PMC8262292 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.144880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an emerging need for accurate and rapid identification of bacteria in the human body to achieve diverse biomedical objectives. Copper homeostasis is vital for the survival of bacterial species owing to the roles of the metal as a nutrient, respiratory enzyme cofactor, and a toxin. Here, we report the development of a copper-64–labeled bacterial metal chelator, yersiniabactin, to exploit a highly conserved metal acquisition pathway for noninvasive and selective imaging of bacteria. Compared with traditional techniques used to manufacture probes, our strategy simplifies the process considerably by combining the function of metal attachment and cell recognition to the same molecule. We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, how a copper-64 PET probe can be used to identify specific bacterial populations, monitor antibiotic treatment outcomes, and track bacteria in diverse niches in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil A Siddiqui
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Hailey A Houson
- Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, Department of Radiology and Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nitin S Kamble
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jose R Blanco
- Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, Department of Radiology and Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert E O'Donnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, and
| | - Daniel J Hassett
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Suzanne E Lapi
- Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, Department of Radiology and Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nalinikanth Kotagiri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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27
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Henneberg S, Hasenberg A, Maurer A, Neumann F, Bornemann L, Gonzalez-Menendez I, Kraus A, Hasenberg M, Thornton CR, Pichler BJ, Gunzer M, Beziere N. Antibody-guided in vivo imaging of Aspergillus fumigatus lung infections during antifungal azole treatment. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1707. [PMID: 33731708 PMCID: PMC7969596 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21965-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening lung disease of immunocompromised humans, caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Inadequacies in current diagnostic procedures mean that early diagnosis of the disease, critical to patient survival, remains a major clinical challenge, and is leading to the empiric use of antifungal drugs and emergence of azole resistance. A non-invasive procedure that allows both unambiguous detection of IPA and its response to azole treatment is therefore needed. Here, we show that a humanised Aspergillus-specific monoclonal antibody, dual labelled with a radionuclide and fluorophore, can be used in immunoPET/MRI in vivo in a neutropenic mouse model and 3D light sheet fluorescence microscopy ex vivo in the infected mouse lungs to quantify early A. fumigatus lung infections and to monitor the efficacy of azole therapy. Our antibody-guided approach reveals that early drug intervention is critical to prevent complete invasion of the lungs by the fungus, and demonstrates the power of molecular imaging as a non-invasive procedure for tracking IPA in vivo. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a life-threatening fungal lung disease devoid of specific rapid diagnosis and with limited therapeutic options. Here, the authors show how state-of-the-art imaging approaches can enable specific diagnosis and therapy monitoring of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Henneberg
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Hasenberg
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Maurer
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Franziska Neumann
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lea Bornemann
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Kraus
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christopher R Thornton
- ISCA Diagnostics Ltd. and Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Bernd J Pichler
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gunzer
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. .,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften ISAS -e.V, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Nicolas Beziere
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
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28
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Freeman Weiss Z, Leon A, Koo S. The Evolving Landscape of Fungal Diagnostics, Current and Emerging Microbiological Approaches. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020127. [PMID: 33572400 PMCID: PMC7916227 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are increasingly recognized in immunocompromised hosts. Current diagnostic techniques are limited by low sensitivity and prolonged turnaround times. We review emerging diagnostic technologies and platforms for diagnosing the clinically invasive disease caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Mucorales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Freeman Weiss
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.L.); (S.K.)
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Armando Leon
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Sophia Koo
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (A.L.); (S.K.)
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29
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Fan D, Fang Q. Siderophores for medical applications: Imaging, sensors, and therapeutics. Int J Pharm 2021; 597:120306. [PMID: 33540031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Siderophores are low-molecular-weight chelators produced by microorganisms to scavenge iron from the environment and deliver it to cells via specific receptors. Tremendous researches on the molecular basis of siderophore regulation, synthesis, secretion, and uptake have inspired their diverse applications in the medical field. Replacing iron with radionuclides in siderophores, such as the most prominent Ga-68 for positron emission tomography (PET), carves out ways for targeted imaging of infectious diseases and cancers. Additionally, the high affinity of siderophores for metal ions or microorganisms makes them a potent detecting moiety in sensors that can be used for diagnosis. As for therapeutics, the notable Trojan horse-inspired siderophore-antibiotic conjugates demonstrate enhanced toxicity against multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Besides, siderophores can tackle iron overload diseases and, when combined with moieties such as hydrogels and nanoparticles, a wide spectrum of iron-induced diseases and even cancers. In this review, we briefly outline the related mechanisms, before summarizing the siderophore-based applications in imaging, sensors, and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Fan
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Materials and Devices, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ambient Particles Health Effects and Prevention Techniques, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Qiaojun Fang
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Materials and Devices, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ambient Particles Health Effects and Prevention Techniques, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China; Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing 101408, PR China.
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30
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Contrasting Role of Fungal Siderophore in Metal Ion Complex Formation. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53077-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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31
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Chemistry and Biomedical Applications of Fungal Siderophores. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53077-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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32
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Pfister J, Bata R, Hubmann I, Hörmann AA, Gsaller F, Haas H, Decristoforo C. Siderophore Scaffold as Carrier for Antifungal Peptides in Therapy of Aspergillus fumigatus Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E367. [PMID: 33334084 PMCID: PMC7765500 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal resistance of human fungal pathogens represents an increasing challenge in modern medicine. Short antimicrobial peptides (AMP) display a promising class of antifungals with a different mode of action, but lack target specificity and metabolic stability. In this study the hexapeptide PAF26 (Ac-dArg-dLys-dLys-dTrp-dPhe-dTrp-NH2) and the three amino acid long peptide NLF (H2N-Asn-Leu-dPhe-COOH) were coupled to diacetylfusarinine C (DAFC), a derivative of the siderophore triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) of Aspergillus fumigatus, to achieve targeted delivery for treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Conjugated compounds in various modifications were labelled with radioactive gallium-68 to perform in vitro and in vivo characterizations. LogD, serum stability, uptake- growth promotion- and minimal inhibitory concentration assays were performed, as well as in vivo stability tests and biodistribution in BALB/c mice. Uptake and growth assays revealed specific internalization of the siderophore conjugates by A. fumigatus. They showed a high stability in human serum and also in the blood of BALB/c mice but metabolites in urine, probably due to degradation in the kidneys. Only PAF26 showed growth inhibition at 8 µg/ml which was lost after conjugation to DAFC. Despite their lacking antifungal activity conjugates based on a siderophore scaffold have a potential to provide the basis for a new class of antifungals, which allow the combination of imaging by using PET/CT with targeted treatment, thereby opening a theranostic approach for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (R.B.); (I.H.); (A.A.H.)
| | - Roland Bata
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (R.B.); (I.H.); (A.A.H.)
| | - Isabella Hubmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (R.B.); (I.H.); (A.A.H.)
| | - Anton Amadeus Hörmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (R.B.); (I.H.); (A.A.H.)
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (F.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (R.B.); (I.H.); (A.A.H.)
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33
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Gunzer M, Thornton CR, Beziere N. Advances in the In Vivo Molecular Imaging of Invasive Aspergillosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040338. [PMID: 33291706 PMCID: PMC7761943 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection of immunocompromised patients with Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous environmental mould. While there are numerous functioning antifungal therapies, their high cost, substantial side effects and fear of overt resistance development preclude permanent prophylactic medication of risk-patients. Hence, a fast and definitive diagnosis of IPA is desirable, to quickly identify those patients that really require aggressive antimycotic treatment and to follow the course of the therapeutic intervention. However, despite decades of research into this issue, such a diagnostic procedure is still not available. Here, we discuss the array of currently available methods for IPA detection and their limits. We then show that molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) combined with morphological computed tomography or magnetic imaging is highly promising to become a future non-invasive approach for IPA diagnosis and therapy monitoring, albeit still requiring thorough validation and relying on further acceptance and dissemination of the approach. Thereby, our approach using the A. fumigatus-specific humanized monoclonal antibody hJF5 labelled with 64Cu as PET-tracer has proven highly effective in pre-clinical models and hence bears high potential for human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Gunzer
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (N.B.); Tel.: +49-201-183-6640 (M.G.); +49-7071-29-87511 (N.B.)
| | - Christopher R. Thornton
- ISCA Diagnostics Ltd. and Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK;
| | - Nicolas Beziere
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (N.B.); Tel.: +49-201-183-6640 (M.G.); +49-7071-29-87511 (N.B.)
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34
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Characterization of two siderophores produced by Bacillus megaterium: A preliminary investigation into their potential as therapeutic agents. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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35
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Yoshida M, Tashiro M, Nishi K, Mishima M, Kawano K, Takazono T, Saijo T, Yamamoto K, Imamura Y, Miyazaki T, Kudo T, Yanagihara K, Mukae H, Izumikawa K. Detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in mice using lung perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography with [99mTc]MAA. Med Mycol 2020; 58:965-972. [PMID: 31943043 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for development of better diagnostic strategies to improve outcomes in patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). We hypothesized that lung perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may be more sensitive and specific than computed tomography (CT) of the chest for detection of IPA because it is an angioinvasive pulmonary infection with characteristics that are different from those of bacterial pneumonia. We used SPECT with injection of technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin ([99mTc]MAA) to measure pulmonary perfusion in noninfected mice, mice with IPA, and mice with bacterial pneumonia. Histopathologic analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the perfusion defect and mould invasion. We also attempted to quantitatively evaluate the SPECT images to identify differences in decreased perfusion levels in affected areas in the mouse lung. Histopathologic analysis in the IPA mouse model showed a clear match between areas with a perfusion defect and the presence of mold, indicating that the location of the perfusion defect on a SPECT image reflects angioinvasion of the mould in the lungs. Some of these perfusion defects could be seen before appearance of the infiltrate of CT images. Quantitative analysis confirmed that perfusion in the affected areas was significantly decreased in the IPA model but not in the bacterial pneumonia model (P < .0001). This imaging method may be preferable to the alternative methods presently used to identify the presence of mold in a patient's lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Yoshida
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masato Tashiro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kodai Nishi
- Department of Radioisotope Medicine, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Maki Mishima
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kei Kawano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takazono
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tomomi Saijo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuko Yamamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Imamura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Taiga Miyazaki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Department of Radioisotope Medicine, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
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Sanderson TJ, Black CM, Southwell JW, Wilde EJ, Pandey A, Herman R, Thomas GH, Boros E, Duhme-Klair AK, Routledge A. A Salmochelin S4-Inspired Ciprofloxacin Trojan Horse Conjugate. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2532-2541. [PMID: 32786274 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A novel ciprofloxacin-siderophore Trojan Horse antimicrobial was prepared by incorporating key design features of salmochelin, a stealth siderophore that evades mammalian siderocalin capture via its glycosylated catechol units. Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of the conjugate revealed that attachment of the salmochelin mimic resulted in decreased potency, compared to ciprofloxacin, against two Escherichia coli strains, K12 and Nissle 1917, in both iron replete and deplete conditions. This observation could be attributed to a combination of reduced DNA gyrase inhibition, as confirmed by in vitro DNA gyrase assays, and reduced bacterial uptake. Uptake was monitored using radiolabeling with iron-mimetic 67Ga3+, which revealed limited cellular uptake in E. coli K12. In contrast, previously reported staphyloferrin-based conjugates displayed a measurable uptake in analogous 67Ga3+ labeling studies. These results suggest that, in the design of Trojan Horse antimicrobials, the choice of siderophore and the nature and length of the linker remain a significant challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Sanderson
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Conor M. Black
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - James W. Southwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Ellis J. Wilde
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Apurva Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11790, United States
| | - Reyme Herman
- Department of Biology (Area 10), University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD,United Kingdom
| | - Gavin H. Thomas
- Department of Biology (Area 10), University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD,United Kingdom
| | - Eszter Boros
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11790, United States
| | | | - Anne Routledge
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
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Petrik M, Pfister J, Misslinger M, Decristoforo C, Haas H. Siderophore-Based Molecular Imaging of Fungal and Bacterial Infections-Current Status and Future Perspectives. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E73. [PMID: 32485852 PMCID: PMC7345832 DOI: 10.3390/jof6020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis are life-threatening diseases mainly affecting immuno-compromised patients. The diagnosis of fungal infections is difficult, lacking specificity and sensitivity. This review covers findings on the preclinical use of siderophores for the molecular imaging of infections. Siderophores are low molecular mass chelators produced by bacteria and fungi to scavenge the essential metal iron. Replacing iron in siderophores by radionuclides such as gallium-68 allowed the targeted imaging of infection by positron emission tomography (PET). The proof of principle was the imaging of pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection using [68Ga]Ga-triacetylfusarinine C. Recently, this approach was expanded to imaging of bacterial infections, i.e., with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the conjugation of siderophores and fluorescent dyes enabled the generation of hybrid imaging compounds, allowing the combination of PET and optical imaging. Nevertheless, the high potential of these imaging probes still awaits translation into clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Matthias Misslinger
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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Kaeopookum P, Summer D, Pfister J, Orasch T, Lechner BE, Petrik M, Novy Z, Matuszczak B, Rangger C, Haas H, Decristoforo C. Modifying the Siderophore Triacetylfusarinine C for Molecular Imaging of Fungal Infection. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 21:1097-1106. [PMID: 30838551 PMCID: PMC6877352 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01325-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Aspergillus fumigatus produces the siderophore triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) for iron acquisition which is essential for its virulence. Therefore, TAFC is a specific marker for invasive aspergillosis. We have shown previously that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [68Ga]TAFC exhibited excellent targeting properties in an A. fumigatus rat infection model. In this study, we aimed to prepare TAFC analogs modifying fusarinine C (FSC) by acylation with different carbon chain lengths as well as with charged substituents and investigated the influence of introduced substituents on preservation of TAFC characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Procedures Fifteen TAFC derivatives were prepared and labeled with gallium-68. In vitro uptake assays were carried out in A. fumigatus under iron-replete as well as iron-depleted conditions and distribution coefficient was determined. Based on these assays, three compounds, [68Ga]tripropanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]TPFC), [68Ga]diacetylbutanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]DABuFC), and [68Ga]trisuccinyl(FSC) ([68Ga]FSC(suc)3), with high, medium, and low in vitro uptake in fungal cultures, were selected for further evaluation. Stability and protein binding were evaluated and in vivo imaging performed in the A. fumigatus rat infection model. Results In vitro uptake studies using A. fumigatus revealed specific uptake of mono- and trisubstituted TAFC derivatives at RT. Lipophilicities as expressed by logD were 0.34 to − 3.80. The selected compounds displayed low protein binding and were stable in PBS and serum. Biodistribution and image contrast in PET/X-ray computed tomography of [68Ga]TPFC and [68Ga]DABuFC were comparable to [68Ga]TAFC, whereas no uptake in the infected region was observed with [68Ga]FSC(suc)3. Conclusions Our studies show the possibility to modify TAFC without losing its properties and specific recognition by A. fumigatus. This opens also new ways for multimodality imaging or theranostics of fungal infection by introducing functionalities such as fluorescent dyes or antifungal moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piriya Kaeopookum
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Research and Development Division, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
| | - Dominik Summer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatrix E Lechner
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Novy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara Matuszczak
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christine Rangger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Foss CA, Kulik L, Ordonez AA, Jain SK, Michael Holers V, Thurman JM, Pomper MG. SPECT/CT Imaging of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection with [ 125I]anti-C3d mAb. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 21:473-481. [PMID: 29998399 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1228-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of chronic bacterial infection requires methods to detect and localize sites of infection accurately. Complement C3 activation fragments are generated and covalently bound to selective bacterial pathogens during the immune response and can serve as biomarkers of ongoing bacterial infection. We have developed several probes for detecting tissue-bound C3 deposits, including a monoclonal antibody (mAb 3d29) that recognizes the tissue-bound terminal processing fragments iC3b and C3d but does not recognize native circulating C3 or tissue-bound C3b. PROCEDURES To determine whether mAb 3d29 could be used to detect chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection non-invasively, aerosol-infected female C3HeB/FeJ mice were injected with [125I]3d29 mAb and either imaged using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 and 48 h after radiotracer injection or being subjected to biodistribution analysis. RESULTS Discrete lesions were detected by SPECT/CT imaging in the lungs and spleens of infected mice, consistent with the location of granulomas in the infected animals as detected by CT. Low-level signal was seen in the spleens of uninfected mice and no signal was seen in the lungs of healthy mice. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that 3d29 in the lungs of infected mice co-localized with aggregates of macrophages (detected with anti-CD68 antibodies). 3d29 was detected in the cytoplasm of macrophages, consistent with the location of internalized M. tuberculosis. 3d29 was also present within alveolar epithelial cells, indicating that it detected M. tuberculosis phagocytosed by other CD68-positive cells. Healthy controls showed very little retention of fluorescent or radiolabeled antibody across tissues. Radiolabeled 3d29 compared with radiolabeled isotype control showed a 3.5:1 ratio of increased uptake in infected lungs, indicating specific uptake by 3d29. CONCLUSION 3d29 can be used to detect and localize areas of infection with M. tuberculosis non-invasively by 24 h after radiotracer injection and with high contrast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Foss
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, 1550 Orleans St. CRB2 493, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA. .,Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA.
| | - Liudmila Kulik
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alvaro A Ordonez
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA
| | - Sanjay K Jain
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA
| | - V Michael Holers
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joshua M Thurman
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Martin G Pomper
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, 1550 Orleans St. CRB2 493, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA.,Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA
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Pfister J, Summer D, Petrik M, Khoylou M, Lichius A, Kaeopookum P, Kochinke L, Orasch T, Haas H, Decristoforo C. Hybrid Imaging of Aspergillus fumigatus Pulmonary Infection with Fluorescent, 68Ga-Labelled Siderophores. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E168. [PMID: 31979017 PMCID: PMC7072563 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a human pathogen causing severe invasive fungal infections, lacking sensitive and selective diagnostic tools. A. fumigatus secretes the siderophore desferri-triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) to acquire iron from the human host. TAFC can be labelled with gallium-68 to perform positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scans. Here, we aimed to chemically modify TAFC with fluorescent dyes to combine PET/CT with optical imaging for hybrid imaging applications. Starting from ferric diacetylfusarinine C ([Fe]DAFC), different fluorescent dyes were conjugated (Cy5, SulfoCy5, SulfoCy7, IRDye 800CW, ATTO700) and labelled with gallium-68 for in vitro and in vivo characterisation. Uptake assays, growth assays and live-cell imaging as well as biodistribution, PET/CT and ex vivo optical imaging in an infection model was performed. Novel fluorophore conjugates were recognized by the fungal TAFC transporter MirB and could be utilized as iron source. Fluorescence microscopy showed partial accumulation into hyphae. µPET/CT scans of an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) rat model revealed diverse biodistribution patterns for each fluorophore. [68Ga]Ga-DAFC-Cy5/SufloCy7 and -IRDye 800CW lead to a visualization of the infected region of the lung. Optical imaging of ex vivo lungs corresponded to PET images with high contrast of infection versus non-infected areas. Although fluorophores had a decisive influence on targeting and pharmacokinetics, these siderophores have potential as a hybrid imaging compounds combining PET/CT with optical imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (D.S.); (P.K.); (L.K.)
| | - Dominik Summer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (D.S.); (P.K.); (L.K.)
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 772-00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Marta Khoylou
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 772-00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Alexander Lichius
- Department of Microbiology, University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Piriya Kaeopookum
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (D.S.); (P.K.); (L.K.)
| | - Laurin Kochinke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (D.S.); (P.K.); (L.K.)
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (T.O.); (H.H.)
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (T.O.); (H.H.)
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.P.); (D.S.); (P.K.); (L.K.)
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Thornton CR. Detection of the 'Big Five' mold killers of humans: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Lomentospora, Scedosporium and Mucormycetes. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2019; 110:1-61. [PMID: 32386603 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are an important but frequently overlooked cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Life-threatening fungal infections mainly occur in immunocompromised patients, and are typically caused by environmental opportunists that take advantage of a weakened immune system. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important and well-documented mold pathogen of humans, causing a number of complex respiratory diseases, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, an often fatal disease in patients with acute leukemia or in immunosuppressed bone marrow or solid organ transplant recipients. However, non-Aspergillus molds are increasingly reported as agents of disseminated diseases, with Fusarium, Scedosporium, Lomentospora and mucormycete species now firmly established as pathogens of immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals. Despite well-documented risk factors for invasive fungal diseases, and increased awareness of the risk factors for life-threatening infections, the number of deaths attributable to molds is likely to be severely underestimated driven, to a large extent, by the lack of readily accessible, cheap, and accurate tests that allow detection and differentiation of infecting species. Early diagnosis is critical to patient survival but, unlike Aspergillus diseases, where a number of CE-marked or FDA-approved biomarker tests are now available for clinical diagnosis, similar tests for fusariosis, scedosporiosis and mucormycosis remain experimental, with detection reliant on insensitive and slow culture of pathogens from invasive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, tissue biopsy, or from blood. This review examines the ecology, epidemiology, and contemporary methods of detection of these mold pathogens, and the obstacles to diagnostic test development and translation of novel biomarkers to the clinical setting.
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Pandey A, Savino C, Ahn SH, Yang Z, Van Lanen SG, Boros E. Theranostic Gallium Siderophore Ciprofloxacin Conjugate with Broad Spectrum Antibiotic Potency. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9947-9960. [PMID: 31580658 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria scavenge ferric iron from the host for survival and proliferation using small-molecular chelators, siderophores. Here, we introduce and assess the gallium(III) complex of ciprofloxacin-functionalized desferrichrome (D2) as a potential therapeutic for bacterial infection using an in vitro assay and radiochemical, tracer-based approach. Ga-D2 exhibits a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.23 μM in Escherichia coli, in line with the parent fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Competitive and mutant strain assays show that Ga-D2 relies on FhuA-mediated transport for internalization. Ga-D2 is potent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.8 μM), Staphylococcus aureus (0.94 μM), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5 μM), while Fe-D2 is inactive in these strains. Radiochemical experiments with E. coli reveal that 67Ga-D2 is taken up more efficiently than 67Ga-citrate. In naive mice, 67Ga-D2 clears renally and is excreted 13% intact in the urine. These pharmacokinetic and bacterial growth inhibitory properties qualify Ga-D2 for future investigations as a diagnosis and treatment tool for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Pandey
- Department of Chemistry , Stony Brook University , 100 Nicolls Road , Stony Brook 11790 , New York , United States
| | - Chloé Savino
- Department of Chemistry , Stony Brook University , 100 Nicolls Road , Stony Brook 11790 , New York , United States
| | - Shin Hye Ahn
- Department of Chemistry , Stony Brook University , 100 Nicolls Road , Stony Brook 11790 , New York , United States
| | - Zhaoyong Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , People's Republic of China
| | - Steven G Van Lanen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Kentucky , Lexington 40536 , Kentucky , United States
| | - Eszter Boros
- Department of Chemistry , Stony Brook University , 100 Nicolls Road , Stony Brook 11790 , New York , United States
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MacPherson DS, Fung K, Cook BE, Francesconi LC, Zeglis BM. A brief overview of metal complexes as nuclear imaging agents. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:14547-14565. [PMID: 31556418 PMCID: PMC6829947 DOI: 10.1039/c9dt03039e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metallic radionuclides have been instrumental in the field of nuclear imaging for over half a century. While recent years have played witness to a dramatic rise in the use of radiometals as labels for chelator-bearing biomolecules, imaging agents based solely on coordination compounds of radiometals have long played a critical role in the discipline as well. In this work, we seek to provide a brief overview of metal complex-based radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). More specifically, we have focused on imaging agents in which the metal complex itself rather than a pendant biomolecule or targeting moiety is responsible for the in vivo behavior of the tracer. This family of compounds contains metal complexes based on an array of different nuclides as well as probes that have been used for the imaging of a variety of pathologies, including infection, inflammation, cancer, and heart disease. Indeed, two of the defining traits of transition metal complexes-modularity and redox chemistry-have both been creatively leveraged in the development of imaging agents. In light of our audience, particular attention is paid to structure and mechanism, though clinical data is addressed as well. Ultimately, it is our hope that this review will not only educate readers about some of the seminal work performed in this space over the last 30 years but also spur renewed interest in the creation of radiopharmaceuticals based on small metal complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S MacPherson
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10028, USA.
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Luo X, Guo R, Xu X, Li X, Yao L, Wang X, Lu H. Mass spectrometry and associated technologies delineate the advantageously biomedical capacity of siderophores in different pathogenic contexts. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2019; 38:239-252. [PMID: 30035815 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Siderophores are chemically diverse small molecules produced by microorganisms for chelation of irons to maintain their survival and govern some important biological functions, especially those cause that infections in hosts. Still, siderophores can offer new insight into a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatments of infectious diseases from the siderophore biosynthesis and regulation perspective. Thus, this review aims to summarize the biomedical value and applicability of siderophores in pathogenic contexts by briefly reviewing mass spectrometry (MS)-based chemical biology and translational applications that involve diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapeutic discovery for a variety of infectious conditions caused by different pathogens. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of siderophore discovery and applications in pathogenic contexts. Finally, we propose a panel of new and promising strategy as precision-modification metabolomics method, to rapidly advance the discovery of and translational innovations pertaining to these value compounds in broad biomedical niches. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev XX:XX-XX, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Center of Excellence for Chinmedomics, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xian Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xijun Wang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Center of Excellence for Chinmedomics, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Haitao Lu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection with Ga-68 labelled pyoverdine for positron emission tomography. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15698. [PMID: 30356077 PMCID: PMC6200719 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33895-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an increasingly prevalent opportunistic pathogen that causes a variety of life-threatening nosocomial infections. Novel strategies for the development of new antibacterial treatments as well as diagnostic tools are needed. One of the novel diagnostic strategies for the detection of infection could be the utilization of siderophores. Siderophores are low-molecular-weight chelators produced by microbes to scavenge essential iron. Replacing iron in siderophores by suitable radiometals, such as Ga-68 for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, opens approaches for targeted imaging of infection. Here we report on pyoverdine PAO1 (PVD-PAO1), a siderophore produced by P. aeruginosa, labelled with Ga-68 for specific imaging of Pseudomonas infections. PVD-PAO1 was labelled with Ga-68 with high radiochemical purity. The resulting complex showed hydrophilic properties, low protein binding and high stability in human serum. In vitro uptake of 68Ga-PVD-PAO1 was highly dependent on the type of microbial culture. In normal mice 68Ga-PVD-PAO1 showed rapid pharmacokinetics with urinary excretion. PET imaging in infected animals displayed specific accumulation of 68Ga-PVD-PAO1 in infected tissues and better distribution than clinically used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 68Ga-citrate. Ga-68 labelled pyoverdine PAO1 seems to be a promising agent for imaging of P. aeruginosa infections by means of PET.
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Skriba A, Pluhacek T, Palyzova A, Novy Z, Lemr K, Hajduch M, Petrik M, Havlicek V. Early and Non-invasive Diagnosis of Aspergillosis Revealed by Infection Kinetics Monitored in a Rat Model. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2356. [PMID: 30349512 PMCID: PMC6186828 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprophytic airborne fungus responsible for more than one million deaths every year. The siderophores of A. fumigatus represent important virulence factors that contribute to the microbiome-metabolome dialog in a host. From a diagnostic point of view, the monitoring of Aspergillus secondary metabolites in urine of a host is promising due to the non-invasiveness, rapidity, sensitivity, and potential for standardization. Methods: Using a model of experimental aspergillosis in immunocompromised Lewis rats, the fungal siderophores ferricrocin (FC) and triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) were monitored in rat urine before and after lung inoculation with A. fumigatus conidia. Molecular biomarkers in high-dose (HD) and low-dose (LD) infection models were separated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and were detected by mass spectrometry (MS). In the current work, we corroborated the in vivo MS infection kinetics data with micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (μPET/CT) kinetics utilizing 68Ga-labeled TAFC. Results: In the HD model, the initial FC signal reflecting aspergillosis appeared as early as 4 h post-infection. The results from seven biological replicates showed exponentially increasing metabolite profiles over time. In A. fumigatus, TAFC was found to be a less produced biomarker that exhibited a kinetic profile identical to that of FC. The amount of siderophores contributed by the inoculating conidia was negligible and undetectable in the HD and LD models, respectively. In the μPET/CT scans, the first detectable signal in HD model was recorded 48 h post-infection. Regarding the MS assay, among nine biological replicates in the LD model, three animals did not develop any infection, while one animal experienced an exponential increase of metabolites and died on day 6 post-infection. All remaining animals had constant or random FC levels and exhibited few or no symptoms to the experiment termination. In the LD model, the TAFC concentration was not statistically significant, while the μPET/CT scan was positive as early as 6 days post-infection. Conclusion: Siderophore detection in rat urine by MS represents an early and non-invasive tool for diagnosing aspergillosis caused by A. fumigatus. μPET/CT imaging further determines the infection location in vivo and allows the visualization of the infection progression over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Skriba
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomas Pluhacek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Andrea Palyzova
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Zbynek Novy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Karel Lemr
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Vladimir Havlicek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
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Xiao W, Gong DY, Mao B, Du XM, Cai LL, Wang MY, Fu JJ. Sputum signatures for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with underlying respiratory diseases (SPARED): study protocol for a prospective diagnostic trial. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:271. [PMID: 29890956 PMCID: PMC5996557 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3180-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has been increasingly reported in patients with underlying respiratory diseases (URD). Early diagnosis of IPA is crucial for mortality reduction and improved prognosis, yet remains difficult. Existing diagnostic tools for IPA largely rely on the detection of biomarkers based on serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), both of which have their limitations. The use of sputum sample is non-invasive, and Aspergillus detection is feasible; however, the usefulness of sputum biomarkers for the diagnosis of IPA, especially in patients with URD, has not been systematically studied. METHODS This is a prospective diagnostic trial. At least 118 participants will be recruited from respiratory wards and intensive care units. IPA is defined according to the EORTC/MSG criteria modified for patients with URD. Induced sputum and blood will be collected, and BALF will be obtained by bronchoscopy. Sputum biomarkers, including galactomannan, Aspergillus DNA, triacetylfusarinine and bis(methylthio)gliotoxin will be determined, and the presence of a JF5 antigen will be examined with a lateral fluid device. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and diagnostic odds ratio will be computed for different biomarkers and compared using the McNemar χ2 test. Receiver operating characteristic analyses will be performed, and the cut-off values will be established. Participants will receive follow-up evaluations at 3 months and 6 months after recruitment. The difference in hospital stay and survival will be analysed, and the relationships between the levels of biomarkers and hospital stay and survival will be analysed via regression models. DISCUSSION We have developed and verified the feasibility of Aspergillus-related biomarker assays for sputum. The study findings will contribute to a novel look at the diagnostic performance of sputum biomarkers in IPA and provide important insight into the improvement of the early diagnosis of IPA, particularly in patients with URD. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( ChiCTR-DPD-16009070 ) on 24th of August 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiao
- Respiratory Group, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - De-ying Gong
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Mao
- Respiratory Group, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin-miao Du
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin-Li Cai
- Respiratory Group, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min-yu Wang
- Respiratory Group, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan-juan Fu
- Respiratory Group, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Thornton CR. Molecular Imaging of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Using ImmunoPET/MRI: The Future Looks Bright. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:691. [PMID: 29686661 PMCID: PMC5900000 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening lung disease of immuno-compromised humans caused by the ubiquitous environmental mold Aspergillus. Biomarker tests for the disease lack sensitivity and specificity, and culture of the fungus from invasive lung biopsy is slow, insensitive, and undesirable in critically ill patients. A computed tomogram (CT) of the chest offers a simple non-intrusive diagnostic procedure for rapid decision making, and so is used in many hematology units to drive antifungal treatment. However, radiological indicators that raise the suspicion of IPA are either transient signs in the early stages of the disease or not specific for Aspergillus infection, with other angio-invasive molds or bacterial pathogens producing comparable radiological manifestations in a chest CT. Improvements to the specificity of radiographic imaging of IPA have been attempted by coupling CT and positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG), a marker of metabolic activity well suited to cancer imaging, but with limited use in invasive fungal disease diagnostics due to its inability to differentiate between infectious etiologies, cancer, and inflammation. Bioluminescence imaging using single genetically modified strains of Aspergillus fumigatus has enabled in vivo monitoring of IPA in animal models of disease. For in vivo detection of Aspergillus lung infections in humans, radiolabeled Aspergillus-specific monoclonal antibodies, and iron siderophores, hold enormous potential for clinical diagnosis. This review examines the different experimental technologies used to image IPA, and recent advances in state-of-the-art molecular imaging of IPA using antibody-guided PET/magnetic resonance imaging (immunoPET/MRI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Thornton
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.,ISCA Diagnostics Ltd., Exeter, United Kingdom
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Ordonez AA, Jain SK. Pathogen-Specific Bacterial Imaging in Nuclear Medicine. Semin Nucl Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2017.11.003
expr 890398765 + 809902709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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