Sanjay Telu

The "specific" P-glycoprotein inhibitor Tariquidar is also a substrate and an inhibitor for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2).

Tariquidar was developed as a specific inhibitor of the efflux transporter ABCB1. Recent positron emission tomographic brain imaging studies using [(11)C]tariquidar to measure ABCB1 (P-gp, P-glycoprotein) density in mice indicate that the inhibitor may not be as specific as previously thought. We examined its selectivity as an inhibitor and a substrate for the human transporters P-gp, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2), and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1). Our results show that at low concentrations, tariquidar acts selectively as an inhibitor of P-gp and also as a substrate of BCRP. At much higher concentrations (≥100 nM), tariquidar acts as an inhibitor of both P-gp and BCRP. Thus, the in vivo specificity of tariquidar depends on concentration and the relative density and capacity of P-gp vs BCRP.

CuI-Catalyzed 11C Carboxylation of Boronic Acid Esters: A Rapid and Convenient Entry to 11C-Labeled Carboxylic Acids, Esters, and Amides†

Rapid and direct: the carboxylation of boronic acid esters with (11)CO(2) provides [(11)C]carboxylic acids as a convenient entry into [(11)C]esters and [(11)C]amides. This conversion of boronates is tolerant to diverse functional groups (e.g., halo, nitro, or carbonyl).

Lysosomal trapping of a radiolabeled substrate of P-glycoprotein as a mechanism for signal amplification in PET

The radiotracer [11C]N-desmethyl-loperamide (dLop) images the in vivo function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a transporter that blocks the entry of drugs that are substrates into brain. When P-gp is inhibited, [11C]dLop, a potent opiate agonist, enters and becomes trapped in the brain. This trapping is beneficial from an imaging perspective, because it amplifies the PET signal, essentially by accumulating radioactivity over time. As we previously demonstrated that this trapping was not caused by binding to opiate receptors, we examined whether [11C]dLop, a weak base, is ionically trapped in acidic lysosomes. To test this hypothesis, we measured [3H]dLop accumulation in human cells by using lysosomotropics. Because the in vivo trapping of dLop was seen after P-gp inhibition, we also measured [3H]dLop uptake in P-gp–expressing cells treated with the P-gp inhibitor tariquidar. All lysosomotropics decreased [3H]dLop accumulation by at least 50%. In P-gp–expressing cells, tariquidar (and another P-gp inhibitor) surprisingly decreased [3H]dLop uptake. Consequently, we measured [11C]dLop uptake before and after tariquidar preadministration in lysosome-rich organs of P-gp KO mice and humans. After tariquidar pretreatment in both species, radioactivity uptake in these organs decreased by 35% to 40%. Our results indicate that dLop is trapped in lysosomes and that tariquidar competes with dLop for lysosomal accumulation in vitro and in vivo. Although tariquidar and dLop compete for lysosomal trapping in the periphery, such competition does not occur in brain because tariquidar has negligible entry into brain. In summary, tariquidar and [11C]dLop can be used in combination to selectively measure the function of P-gp at the blood–brain barrier.

11C-ER176, a radioligand for 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), has adequate sensitivity to robustly image all three affinity genotypes in human brain

For PET imaging of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a biomarker of neuroinflammation, most second-generation radioligands are sensitive to the single nucleotide polymorphism rs6971; however, this is probably not the case for the prototypical agent 11C-PK11195 (11C-labeled N-butan-2-yl-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methylisoquinoline-3-carboxamide), which has a relatively lower signal-to-noise ratio. We recently found that 11C-ER176 (11C-(R)-N-sec-butyl-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methylquinazoline-2-carboxamide), a new analog of 11C-(R)-PK11195, showed little sensitivity to rs6971 when tested in vitro and had high specific binding in monkey brain. This study sought, first, to determine whether the sensitivity of 11C-ER176 in humans is similar to the low sensitivity measured in vitro and, second, to measure the nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND, or the ratio of specific-to-nondisplaceable uptake) of 11C-ER176 in human brain. Methods: Nine healthy volunteers—3 high-affinity binders (HABs), 3 mixed-affinity binders (MABs), and 3 low-affinity binders (LABs)—were studied with whole-body 11C-ER176 PET imaging. SUVs from 60 to 120 min after injection derived from each organ were compared between genotypes. Eight separate healthy volunteers—3 HABs, 3 MABs, and 2 LABs—underwent brain PET imaging. The 3 HABs underwent a repeated brain scan after TSPO blockade with XBD173 (N-benzyl-N-ethyl-2-(7-methyl-8-oxo-2-phenylpurin-9-yl)acetamide) to determine nondisplaceable distribution volume (VND) via Lassen occupancy plotting and thereby estimate BPND in brain. Results: Regional SUV averaged from 60 to 120 min after injection in brain and peripheral organs with high TSPO densities such as lung and spleen were greater in HABs than in LABs. On the basis of VND determined via the occupancy plot, the whole-brain BPND for LABs was estimated to be 1.4 ± 0.8, which was much lower than that for HABs (4.2 ± 1.3) but about the same as that for HABs with 11C-PBR28 ([methyl-11C]N-acetyl-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-phenoxy-5-pyridinamine)) (∼1.2). Conclusion: Obvious in vivo sensitivity to rs6971 was observed in 11C-ER176 that had not been expected from in vitro studies, suggesting that the future development of any improved radioligand for TSPO should consider the possibility that in vitro properties will not be reflected in vivo. We also found that 11C-ER176 has adequately high BPND for all rs6971 genotypes. Thus, the new radioligand would likely have greater sensitivity in detecting abnormalities in patients.

cAMP signaling in brain is decreased in unmedicated depressed patients and increased by treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Basic studies exploring the importance of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) cascade in major depressive disorder (MDD) have noted that the cAMP cascade is downregulated in MDD and upregulated by antidepressant treatment. We investigated cAMP cascade activity by using 11C-(R)-rolipram to image phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) in unmedicated MDD patients and after ~8 weeks of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). 11C-(R)-rolipram positron emission tomographic (PET) scans were performed in 44 unmedicated patients during a major depressive episode and 35 healthy controls. Twenty-three of the 44 patients had a follow-up 11C-(R)-rolipram PET scan ~8 weeks after treatment with an SSRI. Patients were moderately depressed (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale=30±6) and about half were treatment naïve. 11C-(R)-rolipram binding was measured using arterial sampling to correct for individual differences in radioligand metabolism. We found in unmedicated MDD patients widespread, ~20% reductions in 11C-(R)-rolipram binding compared with controls (P=0.001). SSRI treatment significantly increased rolipram binding (12%, P<0.001), with significantly greater increases observed in older patients (P<0.001). Rolipram binding did not correlate with severity of baseline symptoms, and increased rolipram binding during treatment did not correlate with symptom improvement. In brief, consistent with the results of basic studies, PDE4 was decreased in unmedicated MDD patients and increased after SSRI treatment. The lack of correlation between PDE4 binding and depressive symptoms could reflect the heterogeneity of the disease and/or the heterogeneity of the target, given that PDE4 has four subtypes. These results suggest that PDE4 inhibitors, which increase cAMP cascade activity, may have antidepressant effects.

An Investigation of (Diacetoxyiodo)arenes as Precursors for Preparing No-Carrier-Added [18F]Fluoroarenes from Cyclotron-Produced [18F]Fluoride Ion

Treatment of (diacetoxyiodo)arenes (1a-1u) with cyclotron-produced [(18)F]fluoride ion rapidly affords no-carrier-added [(18)F]fluoroarenes (2a-2u) in useful yields and constitutes a new method for converting substituted iodoarenes into substituted [(18)F]fluoroarenes in just two steps.

(11)C-DPA-713 has much greater specific binding to translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in human brain than (11)C-( R)-PK11195

Positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands for translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) are widely used to measure neuroinflammation, but controversy exists whether second-generation radioligands are superior to the prototypical agent 11C-(R)-PK11195 in human imaging. This study sought to quantitatively measure the “signal to background” ratio (assessed as binding potential (BPND)) of 11C-(R)-PK11195 compared to one of the most promising second-generation radioligands, 11C-DPA-713. Healthy subjects had dynamic PET scans and arterial blood measurements of radioligand after injection of either 11C-(R)-PK11195 (16 subjects) or 11C-DPA-713 (22 subjects). To measure the amount of specific binding, a subset of these subjects was scanned after administration of the TSPO blocking drug XBD173 (30–90 mg PO). 11C-DPA-713 showed a significant sensitivity to genotype in brain, whereas 11C-(R)-PK11195 did not. Lassen occupancy plot analysis revealed that the specific binding of 11C-DPA-713 was much greater than that of 11C-(R)-PK11195. The BPND in high-affinity binders was about 10-fold higher for 11C-DPA-713 (7.3) than for 11C-(R)-PK11195 (0.75). Although the high specific binding of 11C-DPA-713 suggests it is an ideal ligand to measure TSPO, we also found that its distribution volume increased over time, consistent with the accumulation of radiometabolites in brain.

Comparison of four 11 C-labeled PET ligands to quantify translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in human brain: ( R )-PK11195, PBR28, DPA-713, and ER176—based on recent publications that measured specific-to-non-displaceable ratios

Translocator protein (TSPO) is a biomarker for detecting neuroinflammation by PET. 11C-(R)-PK11195 has been used to image TSPO since the 1980s. Here, we compared the utility of four 11C-labeled ligands—(R)-PK11195, PBR28, DPA-713, and ER176—to quantify TSPO in healthy humans. For all of these ligands, BPND (specific-to-non-displaceable ratio of distribution volumes) was measured by partially blocking specific binding with XNBD173 administration. In high-affinity binders, DPA-713 showed the highest BPND of 7.3 followed by ER176 (4.2), PBR28 (1.2), and PK11195 (0.8). Only ER176 allows the inclusion of low-affinity binders because of little influence of radiometabolites and high BPND. If inclusion of all three genotypes is important for study logistics, ER176 is the best of these four radioligands for studying neuroinflammation.

Pd(0)-Mediated 11C-Carbonylation of Aryl(mesityl)iodonium Salts as a Route to [11C]Arylcarboxylic Acids and Derivatives

Pd(0)-mediated 11C-carbonylation of aryl(mesityl)iodonium salts followed by suitable quench provides a rapid room-temperature two-pot procedure for labeling arylcarboxylic acids and amide derivatives with the short-lived positron emitter carbon-11 (t1/2 = 20.4 min) in generally good to high yields (up to 71%). High product ring selectivity (≥13) was achieved when using mesityl as a spectator group in the diaryliodonium salt precursors. This process has potential for preparing new radiotracers for molecular imaging with positron emission tomography.

[11C]N-desmethyl-loperamide, a substrate that selectively images P-glycoprotein function, is trapped in lysosomes

Introduction: Three efflux transporters of the ATP-binding cassette family block the passage of drugs, or substrates, across the blood–brain barrier: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multi-drug resistance protein 1 (Mrp1), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). The substrate radiotracer [C]N-desmethyl-loperamide ([C]dLop) has been developed to measure the in vivo activity of these transporters [1–3]. However, two properties of dLop are unknown: 1) its selectivity as a substrate for these three transporters, and 2) its mechanism of unexpected trapping once it enters the brain following P-gp inhibition [1].