Katsushi Kumata

In vivo positron emission tomographic imaging of glial responses to amyloid-beta and tau pathologies in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Core pathologies of Alzheimers disease (AD) are aggregated amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) and tau, and the latter is also characteristic of diverse neurodegenerative tauopathies. These amyloid lesions provoke microglial activation, and recent neuroimaging technologies have enabled visualization of this response in living brains using radioligands for the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor also known as the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO). Here, we elucidated contributions of Aβ and tau deposits to in vivo TSPO signals in pursuit of mechanistic and diagnostic significance of TSPO imaging in AD and other tauopathies. A new antibody to human TSPO revealed induction of TSPO-positive microgliosis by tau fibrils in tauopathy brains. Emergence of TSPO signals before occurrence of brain atrophy and thioflavin-S-positive tau amyloidosis was also demonstrated in living mice transgenic for mutant tau by positron emission tomography (PET) with two classes of TSPO radioligands, [11C]AC-5216 and [18F]fluoroethoxy-DAA1106. Meanwhile, only modest TSPO elevation was observed in aged mice modeling Aβ plaque deposition, despite the notably enhanced in vivo binding of amyloid radiotracer, [11C]Pittsburgh Compound-B, to plaques. In these animals, [11C]AC-5216 yielded better TSPO contrasts than [18F]fluoroethoxy-DAA1106, supporting the possibility of capturing early neurotoxicity with high-performance TSPO probes. Furthermore, an additional line of mice modeling intraneuronal Aβ accumulation displayed elevated TSPO signals following noticeable neuronal loss, unlike TSPO upregulation heralding massive neuronal death in tauopathy model mice. Our data corroborate the utility of TSPO-PET imaging as a biomarker for tau-triggered toxicity, and as a complement to amyloid scans for diagnostic assessment of tauopathies with and without Aβ pathologies.

11C-AC-5216: A Novel PET Ligand for Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptors in the Primate Brain

Developing a PET ligand for imaging of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR; Translocator Protein [18 kDa] TSPO) is of great importance for studying its role in glial cells in the injured brain and in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimers disease. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate N-benzyl-N-ethyl-2-(7-11C-methyl-8-oxo-2-phenyl-7,8-dihydro-9H-purin-9-yl)acetamide (11C-AC-5216) as a PET ligand for imaging PBR in the primate brain. Methods: AC-5216 and its desmethyl precursor (compound 1) were synthesized starting from commercially available compounds. The radiosynthesis of 11C-AC-5216 was performed through the reaction of compound 1 with 11C-CH3I in the presence of NaH. The in vivo brain regional distribution was determined in mice (dissection) and a monkey (PET). Results: 11C-AC-5216 (800–1,230 MBq; n = 25) was obtained with a radiochemical purity of 98% and a specific activity of 85–130 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis. After injection of 11C-AC-5216 into mice, a high accumulation of radioactivity was found in the lungs, heart, adrenal glands, and other PBR-rich organs. In the mouse brain, high radioactivity was observed in the olfactory bulb and cerebellum. Radioactivity in these regions was inhibited by nonradioactive AC-5216 or PK11195 but was not decreased by central benzodiazepine receptor–selective flumazenil and Ro15-4513. A PET study of the monkey brain determined that 11C-AC-5216 had a relatively high uptake in the occipital cortex, a rich PBR-dense area in the primate brain. Pretreatment with nonradioactive AC-5216 and PK11195 reduced the radioactivity of 11C-AC-5216 in the occipital cortex significantly, suggesting its high specific binding with PBR in the brain. Metabolite analysis demonstrated that 11C-AC-5216 was stable in vivo in the mouse brain, although it was metabolized in the plasma of mice and the monkey. Conclusion: 11C-AC-5216 is a promising PET ligand for imaging PBR in rodent and primate brains.

In vivo evaluation of P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein modulation in the brain using [11C]gefitinib

Gefitinib (Iressa) is a selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. Recent studies confirmed that gefitinib interacted with the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) at submicromolar concentrations, whereas other multidrug transporters, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp), showed much lower reactivity toward gefitinib. Recently, many tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) have been prepared to study P-gp function in vivo; however, PET tracers had not been evaluated for both P-gp and BCRP modulation in the brain. Therefore, we evaluated in vivo brain penetration-mediated P-gp and BCRP in mice using [(11)C]gefitinib. Co-injection with gefitinib (over 50 mg/kg), a nonspecific P-gp modulator cyclosporin A (50 mg/kg), and the dual P-gp and BCRP modulator GF120918 (over 5 mg/kg) induced an increase in the brain uptake of [(11)C]gefitinib in mice 30 min after injection. In the PET study of mice, the radioactivity level in the brain with co-injection of GF120918 (5 mg/kg) was three- to fourfold higher than that in control after initial uptake. The radioactivity level in the brain in P-gp and Bcrp knockout mice was approximately eightfold higher than that in wild-type mice 60 min after injection. In conclusion, [(11)C]gefitinib is a promising PET tracer to evaluate the penetration of gefitinib into the brain by combined therapy with P-gp or BCRP modulators, and into brain tumors. Furthermore, PET study with GF120918 is a promising approach for evaluating brain penetration-mediated P-gp and BCRP.

Distinct binding of PET ligands PBB3 and AV-1451 to tau fibril strains in neurodegenerative tauopathies

Diverse neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by deposition of tau fibrils composed of conformers (i.e. strains) unique to each illness. The development of tau imaging agents has enabled visualization of tau lesions in tauopathy patients, but the modes of their binding to different tau strains remain elusive. Here we compared binding of tau positron emission tomography ligands, PBB3 and AV-1451, by fluorescence, autoradiography and homogenate binding assays with homologous and heterologous blockades using tauopathy brain samples. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated intense labelling of non-ghost and ghost tangles with PBB3 and AV-1451, while dystrophic neurites were more clearly detected by PBB3 in brains of Alzheimers disease and diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification, characterized by accumulation of all six tau isoforms. Correspondingly, partially distinct distributions of autoradiographic labelling of Alzheimers disease slices with 11C-PBB3 and 18F-AV-1451 were noted. Neuronal and glial tau lesions comprised of 4-repeat isoforms in brains of progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and familial tauopathy due to N279K tau mutation and 3-repeat isoforms in brains of Picks disease and familial tauopathy due to G272V tau mutation were sensitively detected by PBB3 fluorescence in contrast to very weak AV-1451 signals. This was in line with moderate 11C-PBB3 versus faint 18F-AV-1451 autoradiographic labelling of these tissues. Radioligand binding to brain homogenates revealed multiple binding components with differential affinities for 11C-PBB3 and 18F-AV-1451, and higher availability of binding sites on progressive supranuclear palsy tau deposits for 11C-PBB3 than 18F-AV-1451. Our data indicate distinct selectivity of PBB3 compared to AV-1451 for diverse tau fibril strains. This highlights the more robust ability of PBB3 to capture wide-range tau pathologies.

[11C]sorafenib: radiosynthesis and preliminary PET study of brain uptake in P-gp/Bcrp knockout mice.

Sorafenib (Nexavar, BAY43-9006, 1) is a second-generation, orally active multikinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of some cancers in patients. In this Letter, we developed [(11)C]1 as a novel positron emission tomography (PET) probe, and evaluated the influence of ABC transporters-mediated efflux on brain uptake using PET with [(11)C]1 in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) knockout mice versus wild-type mice. [(11)C]1 was synthesized by the reaction of hydrochloride of aniline 2 with [(11)C]phosgene ([(11)C]COCl(2)) to give isocyanate [(11)C]6, followed by reaction with another aniline 3. Small-animal PET study with [(11)C]1 indicated that the radioactivity level (AUC(0-60 min), SUV×min) in the brains of P-gp/Bcrp knockout mice was about three times higher than in wild-type mice.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-[1-(2-[18F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline for positron emission tomography imaging of the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 in brain

The purpose of this study was to synthesize 6-[1-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline ([(18)F]FPTQ, [(18)F]7a) and to evaluate its potential as a positron emission tomography ligand for imaging metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in the rat brain. Compound [(18)F]7a was synthesized by [(18)F]fluorination of 6-[1-(2-bromo-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline (7b) with potassium [(18)F]fluoride. At the end of synthesis, 1280-1830MBq (n=8) of [(18)F]7a was obtained with >98% radiochemical purity and 118-237GBq/μmol specific activity using 3300-4000MBq of [(18)F]F(-). In vitro autoradiography showed that [(18)F]7a had high specific binding with mGluR1 in the rat brain. Biodistribution study using a dissection method and small-animal PET showed that [(18)F]7a had high uptake in the rat brain. The uptake of radioactivity in the cerebellum was reduced by unlabeled 7a and mGluR1-selective ligand JNJ-16259685 (2), indicating that [(18)F]7a had in vivo specific binding with mGluR1. Because of a low amount of radiolabeled metabolite present in the brain, [(18)F]7a may have a limiting potential for the in vivo imaging of mGluR1 by PET.

18F-FEAC and 18F-FEDAC: PET of the Monkey Brain and Imaging of Translocator Protein (18 kDa) in the Infarcted Rat Brain

We evaluated two 18F-labeled PET ligands, N-benzyl-N-ethyl-2-[7,8-dihydro-7-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl]acetamide (18F-FEAC) and N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-[7,8-dihydro-7-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl]acetamide (18F-FEDAC), by investigating their kinetics in the monkey brain and by performing in vitro and in vivo imaging of translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) in the infarcted rat brain. Methods: Dissection was used to determine the distribution of 18F-FEAC and 18F-FEDAC in mice, whereas PET was used for a monkey. With each 18F-ligand, in vitro autoradiography and small-animal PET were performed on infarcted rat brains. Results: 18F-FEAC and 18F-FEDAC had a high uptake of radioactivity in the heart, lung, and other TSPO-rich organs of mice. In vitro autoradiography showed that the binding of each 18F-ligand significantly increased on the ipsilateral side of rat brains, compared with the contralateral side. In a small-animal PET study, PET summation images showed the contrast of radioactivity between ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Pretreatment with TSPO ligands N-benzyl-N-ethyl-2-(7-methyl-8-oxo-2-phenyl-7,8-dihydro-9H-purin-9-yl)acetamide (AC-5216) or (R)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxamide (PK11195) diminished the difference in uptake between the 2 sides. The PET study showed that each 18F-ligand had uptake and distribution patterns in the monkey brain similar to those of 11C-AC-5216. After injection into the monkey during PET, the uptake of each 18F-ligand in the brain decreased over time whereas 11C-AC-5216 did not. In the brain homogenate of mice, the percentage of the fraction corresponding to intact 18F-FEAC and 18F-FEDAC was 68% and 75% at 30 min after injection. In monkey plasma, each 18F-ligand was scarcely metabolized until the end of the PET scan. Conclusion: 18F-FEAC and 18F-FEDAC produced in vitro and in vivo signals allowing visualization of the increase in TSPO expression in the infarcted rat brain. The kinetics of both 18F-ligands in the monkey brain and tolerance for in vivo metabolism suggested their usefulness for imaging studies of TSPO in primates.

Visualization of early infarction in rat brain after ischemia using a translocator protein (18 kDa) PET ligand [11C]DAC with ultra-high specific activity.

The aim of this study was to visualize early infarction in the rat brain after ischemia using a translocator protein (TSPO) (18 kDa) PET ligand [(11)C]DAC with ultra-high specific activity (SA) of 3670-4450 GBq/μmol. An infarction model of rat brain was prepared by ischemic surgery and evaluated 2 days after ischemia using small-animal PET and in vitro autoradiography. Early infarction with a small increase of TSPO expression in the brain was visualized using PET with high SA [(11)C]DAC (average 4060 GBq/μmol), but was not distinguished clearly with usually reported SA [(11)C]DAC (37 GBq/μmol). Infarction in the rat brain 4 days after ischemia was visualized using high and usually reported SAs [(11)C]DAC. Displacement experiments with unlabeled TSPO-selective AC-5216 or PK11195 diminished the difference in radioactivity between ipsilateral and contralateral sides, confirming that the increased uptake on the infracted brain was specific to TSPO. In vitro autoradiography with high SA [(11)C]DAC showed that the TSPO expression increased on early infarction in the rat brain. High SA [(11)C]DAC is a useful and sensitive biomarker for the visualization of early infarction and the characterization of TSPO expression which was slightly elevated in the infarcted brain using PET.

PET Imaging of Lung Inflammation with [18F]FEDAC, a Radioligand for Translocator Protein (18 kDa)

Purpose The translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) is highly expressed on the bronchial and bronchiole epithelium, submucosal glands in intrapulmonary bronchi, pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages in human lung. This study aimed to perform positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of lung inflammation with [18F]FEDAC, a specific TSPO radioligand, and to determine cellular sources enriching TSPO expression in the lung. Methods An acute lung injury model was prepared by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rat. Uptake of radioactivity in the rat lungs was measured with small-animal PET after injection of [18F]FEDAC. Presence of TSPO was examined in the lung tissue using Western blot and immunohistochemical assays. Results The uptake of [18F]FEDAC increased in the lung with the progress of inflammation by treatment with LPS. Pretreatment with a TSPO-selective ligand PK11195 showed a significant decrease in the lung uptake of [18F]FEDAC due to competitive binding to TSPO. TSPO expression was elevated in the inflamed lung section and its level responded to the [18F]FEDAC uptake and severity of inflammation. Increase of TSPO expression was mainly found in the neutrophils and macrophages of inflamed lungs. Conclusion From this study we conclude that PET with [18F]FEDAC may be a useful tool for imaging TSPO expression and evaluating progress of lung inflammation. Study on human lung using [18F]FEDAC-PET is promising.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel radioligands for positron emission tomography imaging of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGluR1) in rodent brain.

We designed three novel positron emission tomography ligands, N-(4-(6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-4-[(11)C]methoxy-N-methylbenzamide ([(11)C]6), 4-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy-N-[4-[6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-methylbenzamide ([(18)F]7), and 4-[(18)F]fluoropropoxy-N-[4-[6-(isopropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-methylbenzamide ([(18)F]8), for imaging metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in rodent brain. Unlabeled compound 6 was synthesized by benzoylation of 4-pyrimidinyl-2-methylaminothiazole 10, followed by reaction with isopropylamine. Removal of the methyl group in 6 gave phenol precursor 12 for radiosynthesis. Two fluoroalkoxy analogues 7 and 8 were prepared by reacting 12 with tosylates 13 and 14. Radioligands [(11)C]6, [(18)F]7, and [(18)F]8 were synthesized by O-[(11)C]methylation or [(18)F]fluoroalkylation of 12. Compound 6 showed high in vitro binding affinity for mGluR1, whereas 7 and 8 had weak affinity. Autoradiography using rat brain sections showed that [(11)C]6 binding is aligned with the reported distribution of mGluR1 with high specific binding in the cerebellum and thalamus. PET study with [(11)C]6 in rats showed high brain uptake and a similar distribution pattern to that in autoradiography, indicating the usefulness of [(11)C]6 for imaging brain mGluR1.