Veronique Morisson-Iveson

[18F]GE-180: A novel fluorine-18 labelled PET tracer for imaging Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO)

A series of tricyclic compounds have been synthesised and evaluated in vitro for affinity against Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) and for preferred imaging properties. The most promising of the compounds were radiolabelled and evaluated in vivo to determine biodistribution and specificity for high expressing TSPO regions. Metabolite profiling in brain and plasma was also investigated. Evaluation in an autoradiography model of neuroinflammation was also carried out for the best compound, 12a ([(18)F]GE-180).

Exploration of the structure-activity relationship of a novel tetracyclic class of TSPO ligands-potential novel positron emitting tomography imaging agents.

A series of novel TSPO ligands based on the tetracyclic class of translocator protein (TSPO) ligands first described by Okubo et al. was synthesised and evaluated as potential positron emitting tomography (PET) ligands for imaging TPSO in vivo. Fluorine-18 labelling of the molecules was achieved using direct radiolabelling or synthon based labelling approaches. Several of the ligands prepared have promising profiles as potential TSPO PET imaging ligands.

Exploration of the structure-activity relationship of the diaryl anilide class of ligands for translocator protein--potential novel positron emitting tomography imaging agents.

A series of novel ligands based on the diaryl anilide (DAA) class of translocator protein (TSPO) ligands was synthesised and evaluated as potential positron emitting tomography (PET) ligands for imaging TPSO in vivo. Fluorine-18 labelling of the molecules was achieved using direct radiolabelling or synthon based labelling approaches. Several of the ligands prepared have promising profiles as potential TSPO PET imaging ligands and will be evaluated further as potential clinical imaging agents.

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Macrophages in Atherosclerosis with 18F-GE-180, a Radiotracer for Translocator Protein (TSPO)

Intraplaque inflammation plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) expression is upregulated in activated macrophages, representing a potential target to identify inflamed atherosclerotic plaques. We preclinically evaluated 18F-GE-180, a novel third-generation TSPO radioligand, in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. Methods. Nine hypercholesterolemic mice deficient in low density lipoprotein receptor and apolipoprotein B48 (LDLR−/−ApoB100/100) and six healthy C57BL/6N mice were injected with 10 MBq of 18F-GE-180. Specificity of binding was demonstrated in three LDLR−/−ApoB100/100 mice by injection of nonradioactive reference compound of 18F-GE-180 before 18F-GE-180. Dynamic 30-minute PET was performed followed by contrast-enhanced CT, and the mice were sacrificed at 60 minutes after injection. Tissue samples were obtained for ex vivo biodistribution measurements, and aortas were cut into serial cryosections for digital autoradiography. The presence of macrophages and TSPO was studied by immunohistochemistry. The 18F-GE-180 retention in plaque areas with different macrophage densities and lesion-free vessel wall were compared. Results. The LDLR−/−ApoB100/100 mice showed large, inflamed plaques in the aorta. Autoradiography revealed significantly higher 18F-GE-180 retention in macrophage-rich plaque areas than in noninflamed areas (count densities 150 ± 45 PSL/mm2 versus 51 ± 12 PSL/mm2, p < 0.001). Prominent retention in the vessel wall without plaque was also observed (220 ± 41 PSL/mm2). Blocking with nonradioactive GE-180 diminished the difference in count densities between macrophage-rich and noninflamed areas in atherosclerotic plaques and lowered the count density in vessel wall without plaque. Conclusion. 18F-GE-180 shows specific uptake in macrophage-rich areas of atherosclerotic plaques in mice. However, retention in atherosclerotic lesions does not exceed that in lesion-free vessel wall. The third-generation TSPO radioligand 18F-GE-180 did not show improved characteristics for imaging atherosclerotic plaque inflammation compared to previously studied TSPO-targeting tracers.