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Ahmed H, Wallimann R, Gisler L, Elghazawy NH, Gruber S, Keller C, Liang SH, Sippl W, Haider A, Ametamey SM. Characterization of ( R)- and ( S)-[ 18F]OF-NB1 in Rodents as Positron Emission Tomography Probes for Imaging GluN2B Subunit-Containing N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4323-4334. [PMID: 38060344 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subtype 2B (GluN1/2B) is implicated in various neuropathologies. Given the lack of a validated radiofluorinated positron emission tomography (PET) probe for the imaging of GluN1/2B receptors, we comprehensively investigated the enantiomers of [18F]OF-NB1 in rodents. Particularly, the (R)- and (S)- enantiomers were evaluated using in silico docking, in vitro autoradiography, in vivo PET imaging, and ex vivo biodistribution studies. A select panel of GluN1/2B antagonists (CP-101,606, CERC-301, and eliprodil) and the off-target sigma-1 receptor ligands (fluspidine and SA4503) were used to determine the specificity and selectivity of the tested enantiomers. Additionally, a nonmetal-mediated radiofluorination strategy was devised that harnesses the potential of diaryliodoniums in the nucleophilic radiofluorination of nonactivated aromatic compounds. Both enantiomers exhibited known GluN1/2B binding patterns; however, the R-enantiomer showed higher GluN1/2B-specific accumulation in rodent autoradiography and higher brain uptake in PET imaging experiments compared to the S-enantiomer. Molecular simulation studies provided further insights with respect to the difference in binding, whereby a reduced ligand-receptor interaction was observed for the S-enantiomer. Nonetheless, both enantiomers showed dose dependency when two different doses (1 and 5 mg/kg) of the GluN1/2B antagonist, CP-101,606, were used in the PET imaging study. Taken together, (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 appears to exhibit the characteristics of a suitable PET probe for imaging of GluN2B-containing NMDARs in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Ahmed
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Wallimann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Livio Gisler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nehal H Elghazawy
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Stefan Gruber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Keller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steven H Liang
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon M Ametamey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Korff M, Chaudhary A, Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao C, Rong J, Chen J, Xiao Z, Elghazawy NH, Sippl W, Davenport AT, Daunais JB, Wang L, Abate C, Ahmed H, Crowe R, Schmidt TJ, Liang SH, Ametamey SM, Wünsch B, Haider A. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Enantiomerically Pure ( R) - and ( S) -[18F]OF-NB1 for Imaging the GluN2B Subunit-Containing NMDA Receptors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16018-16031. [PMID: 37979148 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
GluN2B subunit-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated in various neurological disorders. Nonetheless, a validated fluorine-18 labeled positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for GluN2B imaging in the living human brain is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to develop a novel synthetic approach that allows an enantiomerically pure radiosynthesis of the previously reported PET radioligands (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1 as well as to assess their in vitro and in vivo performance characteristics for imaging the GluN2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor in rodents. A novel synthetic approach was successfully developed, which allows for the enantiomerically pure radiosynthesis of (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1 and the translation of the probe to the clinic. While both enantiomers were selective over sigma2 receptors in vitro and in vivo, (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 showed superior GluN2B subunit specificity by in vitro autoradiography and higher volumes of distribution in the rodent brain by small animal PET studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Korff
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany
| | - Ahmad Chaudhary
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yinlong Li
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jian Rong
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Zhiwei Xiao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Nehal H Elghazawy
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - April T Davenport
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27157, United States
| | - James B Daunais
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27157, United States
| | - Lu Wang
- Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze Del Farmaco, Università Degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Hazem Ahmed
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Ron Crowe
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Thomas J Schmidt
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Phytochemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany
| | - Steven H Liang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Simon M Ametamey
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
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Ritter N, Disse P, Aymanns I, Mücher L, Schreiber JA, Brenker C, Strünker T, Schepmann D, Budde T, Strutz-Seebohm N, Ametamey SM, Wünsch B, Seebohm G. Downstream Allosteric Modulation of NMDA Receptors by 3-Benzazepine Derivatives. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7238-7252. [PMID: 37542648 PMCID: PMC10657792 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03526-1] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) composed of different splice variants display distinct pH sensitivities and are crucial for learning and memory, as well as for inflammatory or injury processes. Dysregulation of the NMDAR has been linked to diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. The development of selective receptor modulators, therefore, constitutes a promising approach for numerous therapeutical applications. Here, we identified (R)-OF-NB1 as a promising splice variant selective NMDAR antagonist. We investigated the interaction of (R)-OF-NB1 and NMDAR from a biochemical, bioinformatical, and electrophysiological perspective to characterize the downstream allosteric modulation of NMDAR by 3-benzazepine derivatives. The allosteric modulatory pathway starts at the ifenprodil binding pocket in the amino terminal domain and immobilizes the connecting α5-helix to the ligand binding domain, resulting in inhibition. In contrast, the exon 5 splice variant GluN1-1b elevates the NMDARs flexibility and promotes the open state of its ligand binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Ritter
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
- Chembion, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Paul Disse
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Chembion, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Isabel Aymanns
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Mücher
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Julian A Schreiber
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Christoph Brenker
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Domagkstr. 11, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Timo Strünker
- Chembion, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Domagkstr. 11, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Dirk Schepmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Budde
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Nathalie Strutz-Seebohm
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Simon M Ametamey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Chembion, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Guiscard Seebohm
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Chembion, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
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4
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Korff M, Lüken J, Schmidt J, Schepmann D, Goerges G, Ritter N, Disse P, Schreiber JA, Seebohm G, Wünsch B. Negative allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors with GluN2B subunit: synthesis of β-aminoalcohols by epoxide opening and subsequent rearrangement. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:7616-7638. [PMID: 37682049 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01208e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
In order to obtain novel antagonists of GluN2B subunit containing NMDA receptors, aryloxiranes were opened with benzylpiperidines. Phenyloxiranes 6 and (indazolyl)oxirane 15 were opened regioselectively at the position bearing the aryl moiety. Reaction of the resulting β-aminoalcohols 7 and 16 with carboxylic acids under Mitsunobu conditions (DIAD, PPh3) led to rearrangement and after ester hydrolysis to the regioisomeric β-aminoalcohols 9 and 18. This strategy allows the synthesis of amino-ifenprodil 12 as well using phthalimide in the Mitsunobu reaction. Unexpectedly, the isomeric (indazolyl)oxirane 21 reacted with benzylpiperidines to afford both regioisomeric β-aminoalcohols 22 and 23. In radioligand receptor binding studies, the indazolyl derivative 18a, which can be regarded as indazole bioisostere of ifenprodil, showed high GluN2B affinity (Ki = 31 nM). Replacement of the benzylic OH moiety of ifenprodil by the NH2 moiety in amino-ifenprodil 12 also resulted in low nanomolar GluN2B affinity (Ki = 72 nM). In TEVC experiments, 18a inhibited the ion flux to the same extent as ifenprodil proving that the phenol of ifenprodil can be replaced bioisosterically by an indazole ring maintaining affinity and inhibitory activity. Whereas 10-fold selectivity was found for the ifenprodil binding site over σ1 receptors, only low preference for the GluN2B receptor over σ2 receptors was detected. The log D7.4 value of 18a (log D7.4 = 2.08) indicates promising bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Korff
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
- Universität Münster, GRK 2515, Chemical biology of ion channels (Chembion), Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Judith Lüken
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Judith Schmidt
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Dirk Schepmann
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Gunnar Goerges
- University Hospital Münster, Cellular Electrophysiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Robert-Koch-Str. 45, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nadine Ritter
- University Hospital Münster, Cellular Electrophysiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Robert-Koch-Str. 45, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Universität Münster, GRK 2515, Chemical biology of ion channels (Chembion), Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Paul Disse
- University Hospital Münster, Cellular Electrophysiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Robert-Koch-Str. 45, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Universität Münster, GRK 2515, Chemical biology of ion channels (Chembion), Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Julian A Schreiber
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
- University Hospital Münster, Cellular Electrophysiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Robert-Koch-Str. 45, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Guiscard Seebohm
- University Hospital Münster, Cellular Electrophysiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Robert-Koch-Str. 45, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Universität Münster, GRK 2515, Chemical biology of ion channels (Chembion), Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
- Universität Münster, GRK 2515, Chemical biology of ion channels (Chembion), Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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Ritter N, Disse P, Wünsch B, Seebohm G, Strutz-Seebohm N. Pharmacological Potential of 3-Benzazepines in NMDAR-Linked Pathophysiological Processes. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051367. [PMID: 37239037 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051367] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) linked neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia is constantly increasing. This is partly due to demographic change and presents new challenges to societies. To date, there are no effective treatment options. Current medications are nonselective and can lead to unwanted side effects in patients. A promising therapeutic approach is the targeted inhibition of NMDARs in the brain. NMDARs containing different subunits and splice variants display different physiological properties and play a crucial role in learning and memory, as well as in inflammatory or injury processes. They become overactivated during the course of the disease, leading to nerve cell death. Until now, there has been a lack of understanding of the general functions of the receptor and the mechanism of inhibition, which need to be understood in order to develop inhibitors. Ideal compounds should be highly targeted and even splice-variant-selective. However, a potent and splice-variant-selective NMDAR-targeting drug has yet to be developed. Recently developed 3-benzazepines are promising inhibitors for further drug development. The NMDAR splice variants GluN1-1b-4b carry a 21-amino-acid-long, flexible exon 5. Exon 5 lowers the NMDAR's sensitivity to allosteric modulators by probably acting as an NMDAR modulator itself. The role of exon 5 in NMDAR modulation is still poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the structure and pharmacological relevance of tetrahydro-3-benzazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Ritter
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Chembion, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Paul Disse
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Chembion, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Chembion, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Guiscard Seebohm
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
- Chembion, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nathalie Strutz-Seebohm
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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Wang X, Wang T, Fan X, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Li Z. A Molecular Toolbox of Positron Emission Tomography Tracers for General Anesthesia Mechanism Research. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6463-6497. [PMID: 37145921 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With appropriate radiotracers, positron emission tomography (PET) allows direct or indirect monitoring of the spatial and temporal distribution of anesthetics, neurotransmitters, and biomarkers, making it an indispensable tool for studying the general anesthesia mechanism. In this Perspective, PET tracers that have been recruited in general anesthesia research are introduced in the following order: 1) 11C/18F-labeled anesthetics, i.e., PET tracers made from inhaled and intravenous anesthetics; 2) PET tracers targeting anesthesia-related receptors, e.g., neurotransmitters and voltage-gated ion channels; and 3) PET tracers for studying anesthesia-related neurophysiological effects and neurotoxicity. The radiosynthesis, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of the above PET tracers are mainly discussed to provide a practical molecular toolbox for radiochemists, anesthesiologists, and those who are interested in general anesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiaowei Fan
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zijing Li
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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Yue X. Special Issue "In Vivo Nuclear Molecular Imaging in Drug Development and Pharmacological Research". Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030459. [PMID: 36986558 PMCID: PMC10054510 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear molecular imaging is increasingly important in aiding diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and assessing response to treatment [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyi Yue
- Diagnostic & Research PET/MR Center, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Radiology, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
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Haider A, Elghazawy NH, Dawood A, Gebhard C, Wichmann T, Sippl W, Hoener M, Arenas E, Liang SH. Translational molecular imaging and drug development in Parkinson's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:11. [PMID: 36759912 PMCID: PMC9912681 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00600-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects elderly people and constitutes a major source of disability worldwide. Notably, the neuropathological hallmarks of PD include nigrostriatal loss and the formation of intracellular inclusion bodies containing misfolded α-synuclein protein aggregates. Cardinal motor symptoms, which include tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia, can effectively be managed with dopaminergic therapy for years following symptom onset. Nonetheless, patients ultimately develop symptoms that no longer fully respond to dopaminergic treatment. Attempts to discover disease-modifying agents have increasingly been supported by translational molecular imaging concepts, targeting the most prominent pathological hallmark of PD, α-synuclein accumulation, as well as other molecular pathways that contribute to the pathophysiology of PD. Indeed, molecular imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be leveraged to study parkinsonism not only in animal models but also in living patients. For instance, mitochondrial dysfunction can be assessed with probes that target the mitochondrial complex I (MC-I), while nigrostriatal degeneration is typically evaluated with probes designed to non-invasively quantify dopaminergic nerve loss. In addition to dopaminergic imaging, serotonin transporter and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor probes are increasingly used as research tools to better understand the complexity of neurotransmitter dysregulation in PD. Non-invasive quantification of neuroinflammatory processes is mainly conducted by targeting the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) on activated microglia using established imaging agents. Despite the overwhelming involvement of the brain and brainstem, the pathophysiology of PD is not restricted to the central nervous system (CNS). In fact, PD also affects various peripheral organs such as the heart and gastrointestinal tract - primarily via autonomic dysfunction. As such, research into peripheral biomarkers has taken advantage of cardiac autonomic denervation in PD, allowing the differential diagnosis between PD and multiple system atrophy with probes that visualize sympathetic nerve terminals in the myocardium. Further, α-synuclein has recently gained attention as a potential peripheral biomarker in PD. This review discusses breakthrough discoveries that have led to the contemporary molecular concepts of PD pathophysiology and how they can be harnessed to develop effective imaging probes and therapeutic agents. Further, we will shed light on potential future trends, thereby focusing on potential novel diagnostic tracers and disease-modifying therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Haider
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Nehal H. Elghazawy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Main Entrance of Al-Tagamoa Al-Khames, Cairo, 11835 Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Main Entrance of Al-Tagamoa Al-Khames, Cairo, 11835 Egypt
| | - Alyaa Dawood
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Main Entrance of Al-Tagamoa Al-Khames, Cairo, 11835 Egypt
- Molecular Genetics Research Team (MGRT), Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Main Entrance of Al-Tagamoa Al-Khames, Cairo, 11835 Egypt
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wichmann
- Department of Neurology/School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Marius Hoener
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ernest Arenas
- Karolinska Institutet, MBB, Molecular Neurobiology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Steven H. Liang
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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9
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Korff M, Chaudhary A, Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao C, Rong J, Chen J, Xiao Z, Elghazawy NH, Sippl W, Davenport AT, Daunais JB, Wang L, Abate C, Ahmed H, Crowe R, Liang SH, Ametamey SM, Wünsch B, Haider A. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Enantiomerically Pure ( R)- and ( S)-[ 18F]OF-NB1 for Imaging the GluN2B Subunit-Containing NMDA receptors. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2516002. [PMID: 36747738 PMCID: PMC9901044 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2516002/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
GluN2B subunit-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated in various neurological disorders. Nonetheless, a validated fluorine-18 labeled positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for GluN2B imaging in the living human brain is currently lacking. As part of our PET ligand development program, we have recently reported on the preclinical evaluation of [18F]OF-NB1 - a GluN2B PET ligand with promising attributes for potential clinical translation. However, the further development of [18F]OF-NB1 is currently precluded by major limitations in the radiolabeling procedure. These limitations include the use of highly corrosive reactants and racemization during the radiosynthesis. As such, the aim of this study was to develop a synthetic approach that allows an enantiomerically pure radiosynthesis of (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1, as well as to assess their in vitro and in vivo performance characteristics for imaging the GluN2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor in rodents. A two-step radiosynthesis involving radiofluorination of the boronic acid pinacol ester, followed by coupling to the 3-benzazepine core structure via reductive amination was employed. The new synthetic approach yielded enantiomerically pure (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1, while concurrently circumventing the use of corrosive reactants. In vitro autoradiograms with mouse and rat brain sections revealed a higher selectivity of (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 over (S)-[18F]OFNB1 for GluN2B-rich brain regions. In concert with these observations, blockade studies with commercially available GluN2B antagonist, CP101606, showed a significant signal reduction, which was more pronounced for (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 than for (S)-[18F]OF-NB1. Conversely, blockade experiments with sigma2 ligand, FA10, did not result in a significant reduction of tracer binding for both enantiomers. PET imaging experiments with CD1 mice revealed a higher brain uptake and retention for (R)-[18F]OF-NB1, as assessed by visual inspection and volumes of distribution from Logan graphical analyses. In vivo blocking experiments with sigma2 ligand, FA10, did not result in a significant reduction of the brain signal for both enantiomers, thus corroborating the selectivity over sigma2 receptors. In conclusion, we have developed a novel synthetic approach that is suitable for upscale to human use and allows the enantiomerically pure radiosynthesis of (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1. While both enantiomers were selective over sigma2 receptors in vitro and in vivo, (R)-[18F]OF-NB1 showed superior GluN2B subunit specificity by in vitro autoradiography and higher volumes of distribution in small animal PET studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Korff
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ahmad Chaudhary
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yinlong Li
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jian Rong
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhiwei Xiao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nehal H Elghazawy
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, W.-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - April T Davenport
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - James B Daunais
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze Del Farmaco, Università Degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Hazem Ahmed
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ron Crowe
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Steven H Liang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Simon M Ametamey
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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10
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Development and Validation of [3H]OF-NB1 for Preclinical Assessment of GluN1/2B Candidate Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080960. [PMID: 36015108 PMCID: PMC9416150 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
GluN2B-enriched N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are implicated in several neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. No clinically valid GluN1/2B therapeutic exists due to a lack of selective GluN2B imaging tools, and the state-of-the-art [3H]ifenprodil shows poor selectivity in drug screening. To this end, we developed a tritium-labeled form of OF-NB1, a recently reported selective GluN1/2B positron emission tomography imaging (PET) agent, with a molar activity of 1.79 GBq/µmol. The performance of [3H]OF-NB1 and [3H]ifenprodil was compared through head-to-head competitive binding experiments, using the GluN1/2B ligand CP-101,606 and the sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) ligand SA-4503. Contrary to [3H]ifenprodil, the usage of [3H]OF-NB1 differentiated between GluN1/2B and σ1R binding components. These results were corroborated by observations from PET imaging experiments in Wistar rats using the σ1R radioligand [18F]fluspidine. To unravel the binding modes of OF-NB1 and ifenprodil in GluN1/2B and σ1Rs, we performed a retrospective in silico study using a molecular operating environment. OF-NB1 maintained similar interactions to GluN1/2B as ifenprodil, but only ifenprodil successfully fitted in the σ1R pocket, thereby explaining the high GluN1/2B selectivity of OF-NB1 compared to ifenprodil. We successfully showed in a proof-of-concept study the superiority of [3H]OF-NB1 over the gold standard [3H]ifenprodil in the screening of potential GluN1/2B drug candidates.
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