Shunichi Oya

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.

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.

Preparation and Characterization of l-[5-11C]-Glutamine for Metabolic Imaging of Tumors

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the study of tumor metabolism above and beyond the Warburg effect. Studies on cancer cell metabolism have provided evidence that tumor-specific activation of signaling pathways, such as the upregulation of the oncogene myc, can regulate glutamine uptake and its metabolism through glutaminolysis to provide the cancer cell with a replacement of energy source. Methods: We report a convenient procedure to prepare l-[5-11C]-glutamine. The tracer was evaluated in 9L and SF188 tumor cells (glioma and astrocytoma cell lines). The biodistribution of l-[5-11C]-glutamine in rodent tumor models was investigated by dissection and PET. Results: By reacting 11C-cyanide ion with protected 4-iodo-2-amino-butanoic ester, the key intermediate was obtained in good yield. After hydrolysis with trifluoroacetic and sulfonic acids, the desired optically pure l-[5-11C]-glutamine was obtained (radiochemical yield, 5% at the end of synthesis; radiochemical purity, >95%). Tumor cell uptake studies showed maximum uptake of l-[5-11C]-glutamine reached 17.9% and 22.5% per 100 μg of protein, respectively, at 60 min in 9L and SF188 tumor cells. At 30 min after incubation, more than 30% of the activity appeared to be incorporated into cellular protein. Biodistribution in normal mice showed that l-[5-11C]-glutamine had significant pancreas uptake (7.37 percentage injected dose per gram at 15 min), most likely due to the exocrine function and high protein turnover within the pancreas. Heart uptake was rapid, and there was 3.34 percentage injected dose per gram remaining at 60 min after injection. Dynamic small-animal PET studies in rats bearing xenografted 9L tumors and in transgenic mice bearing spontaneous mammary gland tumors showed a prominent tumor uptake and retention. Conclusion: The data demonstrated that this tracer was favorably taken up in the tumor models. The results suggest that l-[5-11C]-glutamine might be useful for probing in vivo tumor metabolism in glutaminolytic tumors.

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.

Small and Neutral TcvO BAT, Bisaminoethanethiol (N2S2) Complexes for Developing New Brain Imaging Agents

Bisaminoethanethiol (BAT) ligands with various gem-dimethyl and amide groups were prepared, and the corresponding neutral Tc-99m complexes were prepared and evaluated for their relative stabilities by ligand-exchange reactions. It was demonstrated that technetium complexes containing gem-dimethyl substituents have higher lipophilicities, whereas those with an amide group possess greater stability, which enhances ligand-exchange reaction. The most interesting observation was that the brain uptake in rats is not determined only by lipophilicity. Apparently, Tc-99m complexes with an amide functional group display lower brain uptakes in rats compared to those without an amide group. The brain uptake was strongly influenced by substituents on the BAT ligand. These factors are critically important and should be taken into consideration when designing Tc-99m-labeled agents for CNS receptor imaging.

In vivo imaging of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in pancreas using an 18F epoxide derivative of tetrabenazine

OBJECTIVES Development of imaging agents for pancreatic beta cell mass may provide tools for studying insulin-secreting beta cells and their relationship with diabetes mellitus. In this paper, a new imaging agent, [(18)F](+)-2-oxiranyl-3-isobutyl-9-(3-fluoropropoxy)-10-methoxy-2,3,4,6,7,11b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinoline [(18)F](+)4, which displays properties targeting vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) binding sites of beta cells in the pancreas, was evaluated as a positron emission tomography (PET) agent for estimating beta cell mass in vivo. The hydrolyzable epoxide group of (+)4 may provide a mechanism for shifting biodistribution from liver to kidney, thus reducing the background signal. METHODS Both (18)F- and (19)F-labeled (+) and (-) isomers of 4 were synthesized and evaluated. Organ distribution was carried out in normal rats. Uptake of [(18)F](+)4 in pancreas of normal rats was measured and correlated with blocking studies using competing drugs, (+)dihydrotetrabenazine [(+)-DTBZ] or 9-fluoropropyl-(+)dihydro tetrabenazine [FP-(+)-DTBZ, (+)2]. RESULTS In vitro binding study of VMAT2 using rat brain striatum showed a K(i) value of 0.08 and 0.15 nM for the (+)4 and (+/-)4, respectively. The in vivo biodistribution of [(18)F](+)4 in rats showed the highest uptake in the pancreas (2.68 %ID/g at 60 min postinjection). In vivo competition experiments with cold FP-(+)-DTBZ, (+)2, (3.5 mg/kg, 5 min iv pretreatment) led to a significant reduction of pancreas uptake (85% blockade at 60 min). The inactive isomer [(18)F](-)4 showed significantly lower pancreas uptake (0.22 %ID/g at 30 min postinjection). Animal PET imaging studies of [(18)F](+)4 in normal rats demonstrated an avid pancreatic uptake in rats. CONCLUSION The preliminary results suggest that the epoxide, [(18)F](+)4, is highly selective in binding to VMAT2 and it has an excellent uptake in the pancreas of rats. The liver uptake was significantly reduced through the use of the epoxide group. Therefore, it may be potentially useful for imaging beta cell mass in the pancreas.

Single-photon emission tomography imaging of serotonin transporters in the non-human primate brain with the selective radioligand [(123)I]IDAM.

Abstract.A new radioligand, 5-iodo-2-[[2–2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl]thio]benzyl alcohol ([123I]IDAM), has been developed for selective single-photon emission tomography (SPET) imaging of SERT. In vitro binding studies suggest a high selectivity of IDAM for SERT (Ki=0.097 nM), with considerably lower affinities for norepinephrine and dopamine transporters (NET Ki= 234 nM and DAT Ki>10 µM, respectively). In this study the biodistribution of SERT in the baboon brain was investigated in vivo using [123I]IDAM and SPET imaging. Dynamic sequences of SPET scans were performed on three female baboons (Papio anubis) after injection of 555 MBq of [123I]IDAM. Displacing doses (1 mg/kg) of the selective SERT ligand (+)McN5652 were administered 90–120 min after injection of [123I]IDAM. Similar studies were performed using a NET inhibitor, nisoxetine, and a DAT blocker, methylphenidate. After 60–120 min, the regional distribution of tracer within the brain reflected the characteristic distribution of SERT, with the highest uptake in the midbrain area (hypothalamus, raphe nucleus, substantia nigra), and the lowest uptake in the cerebellum (an area presumed free of SERT). Peak specific binding in the midbrain occurred at 120 min, with a ratio to the cerebellum of 1.80±0.13. At 30 min, 85% of the radioactivity in the blood was metabolite. Following injection of a competing SERT ligand, (+)McN5652, the tracer exhibited rapid washout from areas with high concentrations of SERT (dissociation rate constant in the midbrain, averaged over three baboons, koff=0.025±0.002 min–1), while the cerebellar activity distribution was undisturbed (washout rate 0.0059± 0.0003 min–1). Calculation of tracer washout rate pixel-by-pixel enabled the generation of parametric images of the dissociation rate constant. Similar studies using nisoxetine and methylphenidate had no effect on the distribution of [123I]IDAM in the brain. These results suggest that [123I]IDAM is suitable for selective SPET imaging of SERT in the primate brain, with high contrast, favorable kinetics, and negligible binding to either NET or DAT.

Single-photon emission tomography imaging of serotonin transporters in the nonhuman primate brain with [123I]ODAM

Abstract. We have described previously a selective serotonin transporter (SERT) radioligand, [123I]IDAM. We now report a similarly potent, but more stable IDAM derivative, 5-iodo-2-[2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenoxy]benzyl alcohol ([123I]ODAM). The imaging characteristics of this radioligand were studied and compared against [123I]IDAM. Dynamic sequences of single-photon emission tomography (SPET) scans were obtained on three female baboons after injection of 375 MBq of [123I]ODAM. Displacing doses (1 mg/kg) of the selective SERT ligand (+)McN5652 were administered 120 min after injection of [123I]ODAM. Total integrated brain uptake of [123I]ODAM was about 30% higher than [123I]IDAM. After 60–120 min, the regional distribution of tracer within the brain reflected the characteristic distribution of SERT. Peak specific binding in the midbrain occurred 120 min after injection, with an equilibrium midbrain to cerebellar ratio of 1.50±0.08, which was slightly lower than the value for [123I]IDAM (1.80± 0.13). Both the binding kinetics and the metabolism of [123I]ODAM were slower than those of [123I]IDAM. Following injection of a competing SERT ligand, (+)McN5652, the tracer exhibited washout from areas with high concentrations of SERT, with a dissociation kinetic rate constant koff=0.0085±0.0028 min–1 in the midbrain. Similar studies using nisoxetine and methylphenidate showed no displacement, consistent with its low binding affinity to norepinephrine and dopamine transporters, respectively. These results suggest that [123I]ODAM is suitable for selective SPET imaging of SERT in the primate brain, with higher uptake and slower kinetics and metabolism than [123I]IDAM, but also a slightly lower selectivity for SERT.

In Vivo Characterization of a Series of 18F-Diaryl Sulfides (18F-2-(2′-((Dimethylamino)Methyl)-4′-(Fluoroalkoxy)Phenylthio)Benzenamine) for PET Imaging of the Serotonin Transporter

PET of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the brain is a useful tool for examining normal physiologic functions as well as disease states involving the serotonergic system. The goal of this study was to further develop and refine a series of 4′-fluoroalkoxy–substituted, 18F-radiolabeled SERT imaging agents. 2-(2′-((Dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-(4-18F-fluorobutoxy)phenylthiol)benzenamine (3) and 2-(2′-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-(5-18F-fluoropentoxy)phenylthiol)benzenamine (4) were synthesized and evaluated along with 2 previously reported compounds of this series, 2-(2′-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-(2-18F-fluoroethoxy)phenylthiol)benzenamine (1) and 2-(2′-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-(3-18F-fluoropropoxy)phenylthiol)benzenamine (2). Methods: The in vitro binding affinities of compounds 3 and 4 were determined in monoamine transporter–transfected LLC-PK1 cell homogenates. In vivo localization of the respective 18F-labeled compounds was evaluated by biodistribution studies in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Compound 3 was selected for further examination by autoradiographic and PET studies in rats. Results: The corresponding mesylate precursors of 3 and 4 were radiolabeled with 18F within 75–90 min. Radiochemical yield was 6%−35%, specific activity was 15–170 GBq/μmol, and radiochemical purity was greater than 97% (end of synthesis). The compounds showed subnanomolar binding affinities for SERT (inhibition constants, 0.51 and 0.76 nM, respectively), had brain uptake at 2 min of 1.25 and 0.68 percentage injected dose per gram, respectively, and possessed high target-to-nontarget (hypothalamus-to-cerebellum) ratios at 120 min after injection (6.51 and 5.70, respectively). Autoradiographic studies of 18F-3 showed selective localization in SERT-rich brain regions. PET studies of 18F-3 showed clear localization in the midbrain, thalamus, and striatum. Conclusion: This compound series was found to have potential for producing a suitable 18F-radiolabeled PET radiotracer for SERT. Compound 4, the pentoxy derivative, had the lowest brain uptake and target-to-nontarget ratio. Compound 3, the butoxy derivative, had a lower target-to-nontarget ratio than compounds 1 (ethoxy derivative) and 2 (propoxy derivative). Compounds 1 and 2 both hold promise as SERT radioimaging agents, but because of cost limitations, only compound 2 will be evaluated in further studies.