Patrick McCormick

In vivo quantification of regional dopamine-D3 receptor binding potential of (+)-PHNO: Studies in non-human primates and transgenic mice.

Examination of dopamine‐D3 (D3) receptors with positron emission tomography (PET) have been hampered in the past by the lack of a PET ligand with sufficient selectivity for D3 over dopamine‐D2 (D2) receptors. The two types co‐localize in the brain, with D2 density significantly higher than D3, hence nonselective PET ligands inform on D2, rather than D3 status. [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO is a novel PET ligand with a preferential affinity for D3 over D2. We used the selective D3 antagonist, SB‐277011 to dissect regional fractions of the [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO signal attributable to D3 and D2 in primate brain. The results were compared with quantitative autoradiography with 3H‐(+)‐PHNO in wild‐type, D2‐knock‐out, and D3‐knock‐out mice examined at baseline and following administration of SB‐277011. Both sets of results converged to indicate a predominant D3‐related component to (+)‐PHNO binding in extra‐striatal regions, with binding in the midbrain being entirely attributable to D3. The midbrain is thus an excellent target region to examine D3 receptor occupancy with [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO PET in vivo. Synapse 63:782–793, 2009.

Radiosynthesis and initial evaluation of [18F]-FEPPA for PET imaging of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors

INTRODUCTION A novel [18F]-radiolabelled phenoxyanilide, [18F]-FEPPA, has been synthesized and evaluated, in vitro and ex vivo, as a potential positron emission tomography imaging agent for the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). METHODS [18F]-FEPPA and two other radiotracers for imaging PBR, namely [11C]-PBR28 and [11C]-PBR28-d3, were synthesised and evaluated in vitro and ex vivo as potential PBR imaging agents. RESULTS [18F]-FEPPA is efficiently prepared in one step from its tosylate precursor and [18F]-fluoride in high radiochemical yields and at high specific activity. FEPPA displayed a Ki of 0.07 nM for PBR in rat mitochondrial membrane preparations and a suitable lipophilicity for brain penetration (log P of 2.99 at pH 7.4). Upon intravenous injection into rats, [18F]-FEPPA showed moderate brain uptake [standard uptake value (SUV) of 0.6 at 5 min] and a slow washout (SUV of 0.35 after 60 min). Highest uptake of radioactivity was seen in the hypothalamus and olfactory bulb, regions previously reported to be enriched in PBR in rat brain. Analysis of plasma and brain extracts demonstrated that [18F]-FEPPA was rapidly metabolized, but no lipophilic metabolites were observed in either preparation and only 5% radioactive metabolites were present in brain tissue extracts. Blocking studies to determine the extent of specific binding of [18F]-FEPPA in rat brain were problematic due to large perturbations in circulating radiotracer and the lack of a reference region. CONCLUSIONS Further evaluation of the potential of [18F]-FEPPA will require the employment of rigorous kinetic models and/or appropriate animal models.

The Antipsychotics Olanzapine, Risperidone, Clozapine, and Haloperidol Are D2-Selective Ex Vivo but Not In Vitro

In a recent human [11C]-(+)-PHNO positron emission tomography study, olanzapine, clozapine, and risperidone occupied D2 receptors in striatum (STR), but, despite their similar in vitro D2 and D3 affinities, failed to occupy D3 receptors in globus pallidus. This study had two aims: (1) to characterize the regional D2/D3 pharmacology of in vitro and ex vivo [3H]-(+)-PHNO binding sites in rat brain and (2) to compare, using [3H]-(+)-PHNO autoradiography, the ex vivo and in vitro pharmacology of olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol. Using the D3-selective drug SB277011, we found that ex vivo and in vitro [3H]-(+)-PHNO binding in STR is exclusively due to D2, whereas that in cerebellar lobes 9 and 10 is exclusively due to D3. Surprisingly, the D3 contribution to [3H]-(+)-PHNO binding in the islands of Calleja, ventral pallidum, substantia nigra, and nucleus accumbens was greater ex vivo than in vitro. Ex vivo, systemically administered olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol, at doses occupying ∼80% D2, did not occupy D3 receptors. Clozapine, which also occupied ∼80% of D2 receptors ex vivo, occupied a smaller percentage of D3 receptors than predicted by its in vitro pharmacology. Across brain regions, ex vivo occupancy by antipsychotics was inversely related to the D3 contribution to [3H]-(+)-PHNO binding. In contrast, in vitro occupancy was similar across brain regions, independent of the regional D3 contribution. These data indicate that at clinically relevant doses, olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol are D2-selective ex vivo. This unforeseen finding suggests that their clinical effects cannot be attributed to D3 receptor blockade.

Ex vivo [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding is unchanged in animal models displaying increased high-affinity states of the D2 receptor in vitro.

Dopamine (DA) D2 receptor supersensitivity has been linked to an increase in the density of the D2 high‐affinity state as measured in vitro. The two‐ affinity‐state model of the D2 receptor predicts that the ex vivo specific binding of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO, an agonist radiotracer thought to bind selectively to the high‐affinity state in vivo, should be increased in animal models that display in vitro increases in the proportion of receptors in the D2 high‐affinity state. Here, we test this hypotheses by comparing the ex vivo SBR of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO with that of the antagonist radiotracer [3H]‐raclopride in three dopaminergically supersensitive rat models—AMPH‐sensitized rats, rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol, and unilaterally 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats—using ex vivo dual‐radiotracer biodistribution studies. We find that in AMPH‐sensitized rats and rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol treatment, models that exhibited ∼4‐fold increases in the D2 high‐affinity state in vitro, the SBRs of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and [3H]‐raclopride are unchanged relative to control rats. In unilaterally 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats, we find that the increase in [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO SBR is no different than that observed for the antagonist radiotracer [3H]‐raclopride (54% ± 16% and 52% ± 14%, respectively). In addition, the effect of acute AMPH pretreatment (4 mg/kg, i.v.) on the SBRs of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and [3H]‐raclopride is equivalent in AMPH‐sensitized (−38% ± 12% and −36% ± 8%, respectively) and in control rats (−40% ± 11% and −38% ± 7%). These data emphasize a significant discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo measures of D2 agonist binding, indicating that the two‐affinity‐state model of the D2 receptor may not apply veridically to living systems. The potential implications of this discrepancy are discussed. Synapse 63:998–1009, 2009.

Acutely administered antipsychotic drugs are highly selective for dopamine D2 over D3 receptors

We showed previously, using [(3)H]-(+)-4-propyl-9-hydroxynaphthoxazine ([(3)H]-(+)-PHNO) autoradiography, that several antipsychotic drugs do not occupy dopamine D3 receptors at clinically-relevant doses in rat. This is an unexpected finding considering the near-equivalent in vitro affinity of these drugs for D2 and D3 receptors. The purpose of the current study was to address two possible methodological limitations of our previous report, namely that (1) [(3)H]-(+)-PHNO may have been administered at non-tracer dose, potentially causing underestimate of D3 receptor occupancy, and (2) antipsychotic drugs were administered chronically, potentially causing increased D3 receptor expression not accounted for in the vehicle-treated control group. We found that decreasing [(3)H]-(+)-PHNO dose from 5.6nmol/kg (our previous dose) to 0.6nmol/kg caused a >60% increase in [(3)H]-(+)-PHNO binding to D3 receptors in cerebellar lobes 9 and 10, indicating that our previous study was indeed conducted under non-tracer dose conditions. However, neither reducing [(3)H]-(+)-PHNO dose further to 0.3nmol/kg (a tracer dose), nor administering antipsychotics acutely affected antipsychotic receptor occupancy. At clinically-relevant levels of D2 occupancy (57-82% inhibition of striatal binding), neither olanzapine nor haloperidol occupied D3 receptors, while clozapine occupied D3 receptors at levels similar to our previous report (33%). Risperidone moderately occupied D3 receptors (40%), but at a dose occupying >90% of D2 receptors and therefore of questionable clinical relevance. These findings demonstrate that the lack of antipsychotic occupancy of D3 receptors is not attributable to limitations of our previous study. These results suggest that D3 receptor blockade is not necessary for the therapeutic effects of the antipsychotic drugs examined.

Modeling chronic olanzapine exposure using osmotic minipumps: pharmacological limitations

Animal models can face unique challenges in mirroring what occurs in humans. This is the case for antipsychotics in rodents, where these drugs are metabolized much more rapidly. One strategy to address this issue has been the use of osmotic minipumps to ensure continuous antipsychotic exposure over prolonged intervals, which is routinely the case when these same drugs are administered to humans. More recently, it has been identified that with olanzapine this approach may be compromised by oxidative degradation, a process that can be observed within days. Further, in vivo evidence has reported progressive decreases in plasma levels over a 1-month interval. To address this issue in vitro, osmotic minipumps (n=4), with olanzapine at a concentration resulting in a dose of 7.5mg/kg/day in vivo, were placed in saline-filled Falcon tubes and immersed in a water bath. Olanzapine concentrations were assessed in the minipumps as well as the surrounding water bath at baseline, 1h, and days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Minipump results indicated a monophasic exponential decay and a half-life of 14.8 days (95% CI=13.1-17.1 days). Results from the water bath demonstrated a linear increase in olanzapine up to and including day 21, followed thereafter by a decrease to day 28. It is concluded that administration of olanzapine via osmotic minipump is viable in animal models to mirror what occurs in humans, although the interval should be confined to 2 weeks. As well, strategies in dissolving olanzapine to diminish oxidation are discussed.

Systemic catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibition enables the D1 agonist radiotracer R-[11C]SKF 82957

INTRODUCTION R-[(11)C]-SKF 82957 is a high-affinity and potent dopamine D(1) receptor agonist radioligand, which gives rise to a brain-penetrant lipophilic metabolite. In this study, we demonstrate that systemic administration of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors blocks this metabolic pathway, facilitating the use of R-[(11)C]-SKF 82957 to image the high-affinity state of the dopamine D(1) receptor with PET. METHODS R-[(11)C]SKF 82957 was administered to untreated and COMT inhibitor-treated conscious rats, and the radioactive metabolites present in the brain and plasma were quantified by HPLC. Under optimal conditions, cerebral uptake and dopamine D(1) binding of R-[(11)C]SKF 82957 were measured ex vivo. In addition, pharmacological challenges with the receptor antagonist SCH 23390, amphetamine, the dopamine reuptake inhibitor RTI-32 and the dopamine hydroxylase inhibitor α-methyl-p-tyrosine were performed to study the specificity and sensitivity of R-[(11)C]-SKF 82957 dopamine D(1) binding in COMT-inhibited animals. RESULTS Treatment with the COMT inhibitor tolcapone was associated with a dose-dependent (EC(90) 5.3 ± 4.3 mg/kg) reduction in the lipophilic metabolite. Tolcapone treatment (20 mg/kg) also resulted in a significant increase in the striatum/cerebellum ratio of R-[(11)C]SKF 82957, from 15 (controls) to 24. Treatment with the dopamine D(1) antagonist SCH 23390 reduced the striatal binding to the levels of the cerebellum, demonstrating a high specificity and selectivity of R-[(11)C]SKF 82957 binding. CONCLUSIONS Pre-treatment with the COMT inhibitor tolcapone inhibits formation of an interfering metabolite of R-[(11)C]SKF 82957. Under such conditions, R-[(11)C]SKF 82957 demonstrates high potential as the first agonist radiotracer for imaging the dopamine D(1) receptor by PET.

Positron-Emission Tomography Imaging of the TSPO with [18F]FEPPA in a Preclinical Breast Cancer Model†

The present study aims to image the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO; formerly known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in a preclinical human breast cancer (BC) xenograft mouse model with positron-emission tomography (PET). An automated radiosynthesis of [(18)F]-N-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl)-N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl)acetamide ([(18)F]FEPPA) was validated for human use using a commercial synthesis module and resulted in a high radiochemical yield (30%±8%, uncorrected; n=54) and specific activity (6±4 Ci/μmol). Tumor uptake of [(18)F]FEPPA in mice bearing subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 BC xenografts was evaluated by PET-computed tomography imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies. Although the tumor was successfully visualized, ex vivo biodistribution studies revealed low tumor uptake (0.7%ID/g), with the majority of radioactivity distributed in the spleen, muscle, and heart despite high TSPO expression in this cell line. Our laboratory routinely prepares [(18)F]FEPPA for human-imaging studies in the central nervous system, and we envision that radiopharmaceuticals that target the TSPO have the potential for imaging macrophages in the tumor microenvironment.

Radiosynthesis and ex vivo evaluation of (R)-(−)-2-chloro-N-[1-11C-propyl]n-propylnorapomorphine

INTRODUCTION Several dopamine D(2) agonist radioligands have been used with positron emission tomography (PET), including [(11)C-]-(-)-MNPA, [(11)C-]-(-)-NPA and [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO. These radioligands are considered particularly powerful for detection of endogenous dopamine release, but they either provide PET brain images with limited contrast or have affinity for both D(2) and D(3) receptors. We here present the carbon-11 radiolabeling and ex vivo evaluation of 2-Cl-(-)-NPA, a novel PET-tracer candidate with high in vitro D(2)/D(3) selectivity. METHODS 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA and [(11)C]-(-)-NPA were synthesized by a two step N-acylation-reduction process using [(11)C]-propionyl chloride. Awake rats were injected with either tracer, via the tail vein. The rats were decapitated at various times, the brains were removed and quickly dissected, and plasma metabolites were measured. Radioligand specificity, and P-glycoprotein involvement in brain uptake, was also assessed. RESULTS 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA and [(11)C]-(-)-NPA were produced in high specific activity and purity. 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA accumulated slower in the striatum than [(11)C]-(-)-NPA, reaching maximum concentrations after 30 min. The maximal striatal uptake of 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA (standard uptake value 0.72+/-0.24) was approximately half that of [(11)C]-(-)-NPA (standard uptake value 1.37+/-0.18). Nonspecific uptake was similar for the two compounds. 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA was metabolized quickly, leaving only 17% of the parent compound in the plasma after 30 min. The specific binding of 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA was completely blocked and inhibition of P-glycoprotein did not alter the brain uptake. CONCLUSION Ex vivo experiments showed, despite a favorable D(2)/D(3) selectivity, that 2-Cl-[(11)C]-(-)-NPA is inferior to [(11)C]-(-)-NPA as a PET tracer in rat, because of slower brain uptake and lower specific to nonspecific binding ratio.

The adrenergic α2 antagonist atipamezole alters the behavioural effects of pramipexole and increases pramipexole concentration in blood plasma

Pramipexole is a dopaminergic agonist used in Parkinsons disease treatment. It is thought to exert its therapeutic and side effects through actions on dopamine D3 receptors. In a recent study, we found that at doses occupying D3 but not D2 receptors pramipexole reduced locomotion and operant responding for primary and conditioned reinforcement. These effects, however, were not blocked by a D3 receptor antagonist and were present in D3 knockout mice, suggesting non-D3 receptor mechanisms. Among the next highest affinity binding sites of pramipexole are adrenergic α2 receptors. Here we explored α2 receptor involvement in the behavioural effects of pramipexole. We found that the α2 antagonist atipamezole, which was itself behaviourally silent, counteracted pramipexoles reduction of locomotion, but not operant responding for water or a conditioned reinforcer. The resulting behavioural profile was similar to that of a higher dose of pramipexole, leading to the hypothesize that atipamezole mediates its behavioural effects by increasing pramipexole effective dose. In support of this hypothesis, we found that atipamezole increased pramipexole concentration in blood plasma. This is not likely due to an effect on drug metabolism since pramipexole is not known to undergo metabolic transformation. Future work should examine two alternative hypotheses; that pramipexole plasma concentration is elevated as the result of 1) competition with atipamezole for renal excretion, or 2) atipamezole blockade of peripheral α2 binding sites, thereby preventing pramipexole distribution to α2-rich tissues. The suggestion of adrenergic effects of pramipexole is important in light of recent interest in adrenergic pathophysiology in Parkinsons disease.