Catherine Hou

2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine (ADAM): an improved serotonin transporter ligand

Serotonin transporters (SERT) are target-sites for commonly used antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and so on. Imaging of these sites in the living human brain may provide an important tool to evaluate the mechanisms of action as well as to monitor the treatment of depressed patients. Synthesis and characterization of an improved SERT imaging agent, ADAM (2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine)(7) was achieved. The new compound, ADAM(7), displayed an extremely potent binding affinity toward SERT ( K(i)=0.013 nM, in membrane preparations of LLC-PK(1)-cloned cell lines expressing the specific monoamine transporter). ADAM(7) also showed more than 1,000-fold selectivity for SERT over norepinephrine transporter (NET) and dopamine transporter (DAT) ( K(i)=699 and 840 nM, for NET and DAT, respectively). The radiolabeled compound [(125)I]ADAM(7) showed an excellent brain uptake in rats (1.41% dose at 2 min post intravenous [IV] injection), and consistently displayed the highest uptake (between 60-240 min post IV injection) in hypothalamus, a region with the highest density of SERT. The specific uptake of [(125)I]ADAM(7) in the hypothalamus exhibited the highest target-to-nontarget ratio ([hypothalamus - cerebellum]/cerebellum was 3.97 at 120 min post IV injection). The preliminary imaging study of [(123)I]ADAM in the brain of a baboon by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at 180-240 min post IV injection indicated a specific uptake in midbrain region rich in SERT. These data suggest that the new ligand [(123)I]ADAM(7) may be useful for SPECT imaging of SERT binding sites in the human brain.

Benzofuran derivatives as Aβ-aggregate-specific imaging agents for Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop potential I-123 labeled diagnostic imaging agents targeting amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Formation and accumulation of aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain are critical factors in the development and progression of AD. Small molecule-based benzofuran derivatives were designed and synthesized. Both 5- and 6-iodobenzofuran derivatives displayed excellent competition for I-125 TZDM binding to Aβ40 aggregates with K i values in the subnanomolar range. The radioiodinated ligands, with a high specific activity, were successfully prepared through an iododestannylation reaction from the corresponding tributyltin derivatives using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant in high yields (60–80%) and with high radiochemical purities (greater than 95%). After an iv injection, all four radioiodinated ligands displayed high brain uptakes ranging from 0.5 to 1.5% initial dose/organ in normal mice. The radioactivity washed out from the mouse brain slowly (less than 50% at 2 h post injection), suggesting high in vivo non-specific binding. In conclusion, the benzofuran ligands displayed excellent binding affinity for Aβ aggregates. The long retention of these ligands in the normal mouse brain suggests that there may be high binding for these probes in the brain not associated with Aβ plaques. Additional modifications are necessary to improve the in vivo imaging properties for plaque detection.

The nuclear receptor Rev-erbα controls circadian thermogenic plasticity

Circadian oscillation of body temperature is a basic, evolutionarily conserved feature of mammalian biology. In addition, homeostatic pathways allow organisms to protect their core temperatures in response to cold exposure. However, the mechanism responsible for coordinating daily body temperature rhythm and adaptability to environmental challenges is unknown. Here we show that the nuclear receptor Rev-erbα (also known as Nr1d1), a powerful transcriptional repressor, links circadian and thermogenic networks through the regulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Mice exposed to cold fare considerably better at 05:00 (Zeitgeber time 22) when Rev-erbα is barely expressed than at 17:00 (Zeitgeber time 10) when Rev-erbα is abundant. Deletion of Rev-erbα markedly improves cold tolerance at 17:00, indicating that overcoming Rev-erbα-dependent repression is a fundamental feature of the thermogenic response to cold. Physiological induction of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) by cold temperatures is preceded by rapid downregulation of Rev-erbα in BAT. Rev-erbα represses Ucp1 in a brown-adipose-cell-autonomous manner and BAT Ucp1 levels are high in Rev-erbα-null mice, even at thermoneutrality. Genetic loss of Rev-erbα also abolishes normal rhythms of body temperature and BAT activity. Thus, Rev-erbα acts as a thermogenic focal point required for establishing and maintaining body temperature rhythm in a manner that is adaptable to environmental demands.

Selective in vitro and in vivo binding of [125I]ADAM to serotonin transporters in rat brain

An improved iodinated tracer, ADAM (2‐((2‐((dimethylamino)methyl)‐ phenyl)thio)‐5‐iodophenylamine) for imaging serotonin transporters (SERT) with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), was prepared and characterized. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding of [125I]ADAM to rat frontal cortical membrane homogenates gave a Kd value of 0.15 ± 0.03 nM and a Bmax value of 194 ± 65 fmol/mg protein. Biodistribution of [125I]ADAM in rat brain after an iv injection showed a high specific binding in the regions of hypothalamus, cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, where SERT are concentrated and the specific binding peaked at 120–240 min postinjection [(hypothalamus‐cerebellum)/cerebellum = 4.3 at 120 min post‐iv injection]. Moreover, the specific hypothalamic uptake was blocked by pretreatment with SERT selective competing drugs, such as paroxetine and (+)McN5652, while other noncompeting drugs, such as ketanserin, raclopride, and methylphenidate, showed no effect. The radioactive material recovered from rat brain homogenates at 120 min after [125I]ADAM injection showed primarily the original compound (>90%), a good indication of in vivo stability in the brain tissues. Both male and female rats showed similar and comparable organ distribution pattern and regional brain uptakes. Ex vivo autoradiograms of rat brain sections (120 min after iv injection of [125I]ADAM) showed intense labeling in several regions (olfactory tubercle, lateral septal nucleus, hypothalamic and thalamic nuclei, globus pallidus, central gray, superior colliculus, substantia nigra, interpeduncular nucleus, dorsal and median raphes, and locus coerulus), which parallel known SERT density. These results strongly suggest that the novel tracer ADAM is superior to the congers (i.e., IDAM) reported previously. When labeled with I‐123, ADAM will be an improved and useful SPECT imaging agent for SERT in the brain. Synapse 38:403–412, 2000.

In Vivo Imaging of β-Cell Mass in Rats Using 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ: A Potential PET Ligand for Studying Diabetes Mellitus

Recent studies on gene expression of β-cell mass (BCM) in the pancreas showed that vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is highly expressed in the BCM (mainly in the islets of Langerhans). Imaging pancreatic BCM may provide an important tool for understanding the relationship between loss of insulin-secreting β-cells and onset of diabetes mellitus. In this article, 9-fluoropropyl-(+)-dihydrotetrabenazine (FP-(+)-DTBZ), which is a VMAT2 imaging agent, was evaluated as a PET agent for estimating BCM in vivo. Methods: Organ biodistribution after an intravenous injection of 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ (active isomer) and 18F-FP-(−)-DTBZ (inactive isomer) was evaluated in normal rats. The specificity of uptake of 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ was assessed by a pretreatment (3.8 mg of (+)-DTBZ per kilogram and 3.5 mg of FP-(+)-DTBZ per kilogram, intravenously, 5 min prior) or coadministration (2 mg of (+)-DTBZ per kilogram). PET studies were performed in normal rats. Results: The in vivo biodistribution of 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ in rats showed the highest uptake in the pancreas (5% dose/g at 30 min after injection), whereas 18F-FP-(−)-DTBZ showed a very low pancreas uptake. Rats pretreated with FP-(+)-DTBZ displayed a 78% blockade of pancreas uptake. PET studies in normal rats demonstrated an avid pancreas uptake of 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ. Conclusion: The preliminary data obtained with 18F-FP-(+)-DTBZ suggest that this fluorinated derivative of DTBZ shows good pancreas specificity and has the potential to be useful for quantitative measurement of VMAT2 binding sites reflecting BCM in the pancreas.

Characterization of IMPY as a potential imaging agent for β-amyloid plaques in double transgenic PSAPP mice

Deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brain is likely linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Developing specific Aβ aggregate-binding ligands as in vivo imaging agents may be useful for diagnosis and monitoring the progression of AD. We have prepared a thioflavin derivative, 6-iodo-2-(4’-dimethylamino-)phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, IMPY, which is readily radiolabeled with 125I/123I for binding or single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging studies. Characterization of [125I]IMPY binding to plaque-like structures was evaluated in double transgenic PSAPP mice. [125I]IMPY labeled Aβ plaques in transgenic mouse brain sections, and the labeling was consistent with fluorescent staining and Aβ-specific antibody labeling. Significant amounts of Aβ plaques present in the cortical, hippocampal, and entorhinal regions of the transgenic mouse brain were clearly detected with [125I]IMPY via ex vivo autoradiography. In contrast, [125I]IMPY showed little labeling in the age-matched control mouse brain. Tissue homogenate binding further corroborated the Aβ plaque-specific distribution in various brain regions of transgenic mouse, and correlated well with the known density of Aβ deposition. Using a tissue dissection technique, [125I]IMPY showed a moderate increase in the cortical region of transgenic mice as compared to the age-matched controls. In vitro blocking of [125I]IMPY by “carrier” observed via autoradiography in mouse brain sections was not replicated by an in vivo blocking experiment in living TT mouse brain. The failure was most likely due to a significant carrier effect, which slows down the tracer in vivo metabolism, leading to an increased brain uptake. Taken together, these data indicate that [123I]IMPY is a potentially useful SPECT imaging agent for in vivo labeling of Aβ plaques in the living brain.

Characterization of [123I]IDAM as a novel single-photon emission tomography tracer for serotonin transporters

Abstract. Development of selective serotonin transporter (SERT) tracers for single-photon emission tomography (SPET) is important for studying the underlying pharmacology and interaction of specific serotonin reuptake site inhibitors, commonly used antidepressants, at the SERT sites in the human brain. In search of a new tracer for imaging SERT, IDAM (5-iodo-2-[[2-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl]thio]benzyl alcohol) was developed. In vitro characterization of IDAM was carried out with binding studies in cell lines and rat tissue homogenates. In vivo binding of [125I]IDAM was evaluated in rats by comparing the uptakes in different brain regions through tissue dissections and ex vivo autoradiography. In vitro binding studyshowed that IDAM displayed an excellent affinity to SERT sites (Ki=0.097 nM, using membrane preparations of LLC-PK1 cells expressing the specific transporter) and showed more than 1000-fold of selectivity for SERT over norepinehrine and dopamine (expressed in the same LLC-PK1 cells). Scatchard analysis of [125I]IDAM binding to frontal cortical membrane homogenates prepared from control or p-chloroamphetamine (PCA)-treated rats was evaluated. As expected, the control membranes showed a Kd value of 0.25 nM±0.05 nM and a Bmax value of 272±30 fmol/ mg protein, while the PCA-lesioned membranes displayed a similar Kd, but with a reduced Bmax (20±7 fmol/ mg protein). Biodistribution of[125I]IDAM (partition coefficient =473; 1-octanol/buffer) in the rat brainshowed a high initial uptake (2.44%dose at 2 min after i.v. injection) with the specific binding peaked at 60 min postinjection (hypothalamus-cerebellum/cerebellum =1.75). Ex vivo autoradiographs of rat brain sections (60 min after i.v. injection of [125I]IDAM) showed intense labeling in several regions (olfactory tubercle, lateral septal nucleus, hypothalamic and thalamic nuclei, globus pallidus, central gray, superior colliculus, substantia nigra, interpeduncular nucleus, dorsal and median raphes and locus coeruleus), which parallel known SERT density. This novel tracer has excellent characteristics for in vivo SPET imaging of SERT in the brain.

Dimethylamino-fluorenes: ligands for detecting β-amyloid plaques in the brain

Abstract Formation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brain is a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD). Detection of Aβ plaques in the brain will be potentially useful in early diagnosis and monitoring the progression of the disease. A series of novel Aβ aggregate-specific ligands based on fluorenes, which are simple and rigid tricyclic molecules, are synthesized and characterized. Starting with 2- or 3-aminofluorenes, 1a-1f, the amino group was converted to the N,N-dimethylamino group (2a-2f) in excellent yield. It was found that 7-iodo-2-N,N-dimethylaminofluorene (2f) showed an extremely high binding affinity to preformed Aβ40 aggregates (K i = 0.9 nM). In vitro autoradiography study using brain sections obtained from transgenic mice (Tg2576) with [ 125 I]2f showed exquisitely high specific binding to Aβ plaques. The same section also displayed an equivalent labeling when stained by Thioflavin-S, a commonly used fluorescent dye for Aβ plaques. When [ 125 I]2f was injected intravenously into normal mice, it exhibited an excellent brain uptake. Taken together the data suggest that [ 125 I]2f may be useful as an in vivo imaging agent to detect Aβ plaques in the brain.

Novel Styrylpyridines as Probes for SPECT Imaging of Amyloid Plaques

We report a series of radioiodinated styrylpyridines as single photon emission computed tomography probes for imaging Abeta plaques in the brain of patients with Alzheimers disease (AD). In vitro binding showed that all of the styrylpyridines displayed very good binding affinities in postmortem AD brain homogenates (Ki = 3.6 to 15.5 nM). No-carrier-added samples of 13a, 13b, 16a, 16b, and 16e (radioiodinated with 125I) were successfully prepared. The in vivo biodistribution in normal mice, at 2 min after injection, showed excellent initial brain penetrations (4.03, 6.22, 5.43, and 8.04% dose/g for [125I]13a, 13b, 16a, and 16b, respectively). Furthermore, in vitro autoradiography of AD brain sections showed that the high binding signal was specifically due to the presence of Abeta plaques. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that these styrylpyridines are useful for imaging Abeta plaques in the living human brain.

Detection of amyloid plaques by radioligands for Aβ40 and Aβ42

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is linked to increased brain deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in senile plaques (SPs), and recent therapeutic efforts have focused on inhibiting the production or enhancing the clearance of Aβ in brain. However, it has not been possible to measure the burden of SPs or assess the effect of potential therapies on brain Aβ levels in patients. Toward that end, we have developed a novel radioligand, [125I]TZDM, which binds Aβ fibrils with high affinity, crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and labels amyloid plaques in vivo. Compared to a styrylbenzene probe, [125I]IMSB, [125I]TZDM showed a 10-fold greater brain penetration and labeled plaques with higher sensitivity for in vivo imaging. However, this ligand also labels white matter, which contributes to undesirable high background regions of the brain. Interestingly, parallel to their differential binding characteristics onto fibrils composed of 40 (Aβ40)- or 42 (Aβ42)-amino-acid-long forms of Aβ peptides, these radioligands displayed differential labeling of SPs in AD brain sections under our experimental conditions. It was observed that [125I]IMSB labeled SPs containing Aβ40, amyloid angiopathy (AA), and neurofibrillary tangles, whereas [125I]TZDM detected only SPs and Aβ42-positive AA. Since increased production and deposition of Aβ42 relative to Aβ40 may be crucial for the generation of SPs, [125I]TZDM and related derivatives may be more attractive probes for in vivo plaque labeling. Further structural modifications of TZDM to lower the background labeling will be needed to optimize the plaque-labeling property.