Diagnosis of Melanoma with 61Cu-Labeled PET Tracer.

Until the recent years, substances containing radioactive 61Cu were strongly considered as potential positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals for use in positron emission tomography (PET) applications; however, due to their suitably long half-life, and generator-independent and cost-effective production, they seem to be economically viable for human imaging. Since malignant melanoma (MM) is a major public health problem, its early diagnosis is a crucial contributor to long-term survival, which can be achieved using radiolabeled α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog NAPamide derivatives. Here, we report on the physicochemical features of a new CB-15aneN5-based Cu(II) complex ([Cu(KFTGdiac)]-) and the ex vivo and in vivo characterization of its NAPamide conjugate. The rigid chelate possesses prompt complex formation and suitable inertness (t1/2 = 18.4 min in 5.0 M HCl at 50 °C), as well as excellent features in the diagnosis of B16-F10 melanoma tumors (T/M(SUVs) (in vivo): 12.7, %ID/g: 6.6 ± 0.3, T/M (ex vivo): 22).

61Cu-Labelled radiodiagnostics of melanoma with NAPamide-targeted radiopharmaceutical.

Malignant melanoma is a major public health problem with an increasing incidence and mortality in the Caucasian population due to its significant metastatic potential. The early detection of this cancer type by imaging techniques like positron emission tomography acts as an important contributor to the long-term survival. Based on literature data, the radio labelled alpha-MSH analog NAPamide molecule is an appropriate diagnostic tool for the detection of melanoma tumors. Inspired by these facts, a new radiotracer, the [61Cu]Cu-KFTG-NAPamide has been synthesized to exploit the beneficial features of the positron emitter 61Cu and the melanoma specificity of the NAPamide molecule. In this work, we report a new member of the CB-15aneN5 ligand family (KFTG) as the chelator for 61Cu(II) complexation. On the basis of the thorough physico-chemical characterization, the rigid [Cu(KFTG)]+ complex exhibits fast complex formation (t1/2 = 155 s at pH 5.0 and 25 °C) and high inertness (t1/2 = 2.0 h in 5.0 M HCl at 50 °C) as well as moderate superoxide dismutase activity (IC50 = 2.3 µM). Furthermore, the [61Cu]Cu-KFTG-NAPamide possesses outstanding features in the diagnostics of B16-F10 melanoma tumors by PET imaging: (T/M(SUVs) (in vivo): appr. 14, %ID/g: 7 ± 1 and T/M (ex vivo): 315 ± 24 at 180 min).

Physico-Chemical Characterization of a Highly Rigid Gd(III) Complex Formed with a Phenanthroline Derivative Ligand.

The discovery of the nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and its link with the in vivo dissociation of certain Gd(III)-based contrast agents (CAs) applied in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induced a still growing research to replace the compromised agents with safer alternatives. In recent years, several ligands were designed to exploit the luminescence properties of the lanthanides, containing structurally constrained aromatic moieties, which may form rigid Gd(III) complexes. One of these ligands is (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)bis(methyliminodiacetic acid) (H4FENTA) designed and synthesized to sensitize Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence. Our results show that the conditional stability of the [Gd(FENTA)]- chelate calculated for physiological pH (pGd = 19.7) is similar to those determined for [Gd(DTPA)]2- (pGd = 19.4) and [Gd(DOTA)]- (pGd = 20.1), routinely used in the clinical practice. The [Gd(FENTA)]- complex is remarkably inert with respect to its dissociation (t1/2 = 872 days at pH = 7 and 25 °C); furthermore, its relaxivity values determined at different field strengths and temperatures (e.g., r1p = 4.3 mM-1s-1at 60 MHz and 37 °C) are ca. one unit higher than those of [Gd(DTPA)]2- (r1p = 3.4 mM-1 s-1) and [Gd(DOTA)]- (r1p = 3.1 mM-1 s-1) under the same conditions. Moreover, significant improvement on the relaxivity was observed in the presence of serum proteins (r1p = 6.9 mM-1 s-1 at 60 MHz and 37 °C). The luminescence lifetimes recorded in H2O and D2O solutions indicate the presence of a water molecule (q = 1) in the inner sphere of the complex directly coordinated to the metal ion, possessing a relatively high water exchange rate (kex298 = 29(2) × 106 s-1). The acceleration of the water exchange can be explained by the steric compression around the water binding site due to the rigid structure of the complex, which was supported by DFT calculations. On the basis of these results, ligands containing a phenanthroline platform have great potential in the design of safer Gd(III) agents for MRI.

Expanding the Ligand Classes Used for Mn(II) Complexation: Oxa-aza Macrocycles Make the Difference.

We report two macrocyclic ligands based on a 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 platform functionalized with acetate (tO2DO2A2-) or piperidineacetamide (tO2DO2AMPip) pendant arms and a detailed characterization of the corresponding Mn(II) complexes. The X-ray structure of [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H2O)]·2H2O shows that the metal ion is coordinated by six donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and one water molecule, to result in seven-coordination. The Cu(II) analogue presents a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of the complexes formed with Mn(II) and other biologically relevant metal ions (Mg(II), Ca(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) were determined using potentiometric titrations (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). The conditional stabilities of Mn(II) complexes at pH 7.4 are comparable to those reported for the cyclen-based tDO2A2- ligand. The dissociation of the Mn(II) chelates were investigated by evaluating the rate constants of metal exchange reactions with Cu(II) under acidic conditions (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). Dissociation of the [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H2O)] complex occurs through both proton- and metal-assisted pathways, while the [Mn(tO2DO2AMPip)(H2O)] analogue dissociates through spontaneous and proton-assisted mechanisms. The Mn(II) complex of tO2DO2A2- is remarkably inert with respect to its dissociation, while the amide analogue is significantly more labile. The presence of a water molecule coordinated to Mn(II) imparts relatively high relaxivities to the complexes. The parameters determining this key property were investigated using 17O NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) transverse relaxation rates and 1H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles.

Unexpected Trends in the Stability and Dissociation Kinetics of Lanthanide(III) Complexes with Cyclen-Based Ligands across the Lanthanide Series.

We report a detailed study of the thermodynamic stability and dissociation kinetics of lanthanide complexes with two ligands containing a cyclen unit, a methyl group, a picolinate arm, and two acetate pendant arms linked to two nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle in either cis (1,4-H3DO2APA) or trans (1,7-H3DO2APA) positions. The stability constants of the Gd3+ complexes with these two ligands are very similar, with log KGdL values of 16.98 and 16.33 for the complexes of 1,4-H3DO2APA and 1,7-H3DO2APA, respectively. The stability constants of complexes with 1,4-H3DO2APA follow the usual trend, increasing from log KLaL = 15.96 to log KLuL = 19.21. However, the stability of [Ln(1,7-DO2APA)] complexes decreases from log K = 16.33 for Gd3+ to 14.24 for Lu3+. The acid-catalyzed dissociation rates of the Gd3+ complexes differ by a factor of ∼15, with rate constants (k1) of 1.42 and 23.5 M-1 s-1 for [Gd(1,4-DO2APA)] and [Gd(1,7-DO2APA)], respectively. This difference is magnified across the lanthanide series to reach a 5 orders of magnitude higher k1 for [Yb(1,7-DO2APA)] (1475 M-1 s-1) than for [Yb(1,4-DO2APA)] (5.79 × 10-3 M-1 s-1). The acid-catalyzed mechanism involves the protonation of a carboxylate group, followed by a cascade of proton-transfer events that result in the protonation of a nitrogen atom of the cyclen unit. Density functional theory calculations suggest a correlation between the strength of the Ln-Ocarboxylate bonds and the kinetic inertness of the complex, with stronger bonds providing more inert complexes. The 1H NMR resonance of the coordinated water molecule in the [Yb(1,7-DO2APA)] complex at 176 ppm provides a sizable chemical exchange saturation transfer effect thanks to a slow water exchange rate of (15.9 ± 1.6) × 103 s-1.

Mn(II)-Based MRI Contrast Agent Candidate for Vascular Imaging.

Toxicity concerns related to Gd(III)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents prompted an intensive research toward their replacement by complexes of essential metal ions, like Mn(II). Here, we report a macrocyclic chelate, [Mn(PC2A-BP)], which possesses high thermodynamic stability (log KMnL = 14.86 and pMn=8.35) and kinetic inertness (t1/2pH=7.4 = 286.2 h) as well as as remarkable relaxivity (r1p = 23.5 mM-1 s-1, 0.49 T, 37 °C) in the presence of human serum albumin, allowing a significant MRI signal intensity increase in the vasculature even at low dose (25 µmol/kg) of the complex.

Stable and Inert Mn(II)-Based and pH-Responsive Contrast Agents.

Smart/intelligent contrast agent candidates for MRI based on Mn(II) ion are rare, as it usually forms labile complexes with polyaminocarboxylate-type ligands. Here, we report the first example of a Mn(II) complex that can be activated by changing the pH of its local environment. The PC2A-EA ligand with an ethylamine pendant arm was found to form a thermodynamically stable (log KMnL = 19.01, pMn = 9.27) and kinetically inert complex with Mn(II) with respect to trans-chelation with a metal ion such as Cu(II). The [MnH(PCA2-EA)] complex displays a relatively slow water exchange rate ((4.0 ± 0.2) × 107 s-1), but the pH-dependent coordination of the ethylamine moiety occurs in the pH range of 6-8 (log KMnLH = 6.88), enabling the complex to exhibit pH-sensitive relaxivity in the biologically relevant pH range.

Effect of the Nature of Donor Atoms on the Thermodynamic, Kinetic and Relaxation Properties of Mn(II) Complexes Formed With Some Trisubstituted 12-Membered Macrocyclic Ligands.

During the past few years increasing attention has been devoted to Mn(II) complexes as possible substitutes for Gd(III) complexes as contrast agents in MRI. Equilibrium (log KMnL or pMn value), kinetic parameters (rates and half-lives of dissociation) and relaxivity of the Mn(II) complexes formed with 12-membered macrocyclic ligands were studied. The ligands were selected in a way to gain information on how the ligand rigidity, the nature of the donor atoms in the macrocycle (pyridine N, amine N, and etheric O atom), the nature of the pendant arms (carboxylates, phosphonates, primary, secondary and tertiary amides) affect the physicochemical parameters of the Mn(II) complexes. As expected, decreasing the denticity of DOTA (to afford DO3A) resulted in a drop in the stability and inertness of [Mn(DO3A)]- compared to [Mn(DOTA)]2-. This decrease can be compensated partially by incorporating the fourth nitrogen atom into a pyridine ring (e.g., PCTA) or by replacement with an etheric oxygen atom (ODO3A). Moreover, the substitution of primary amides for acetates resulted in a noticeable drop in the stability constant (PC3AMH), but it increased as the primary amides (PC3AMH) were replaced by secondary (PC3AMGly) or tertiary amide (PC3AMPip) pendants. The inertness of the Mn(II) complexes behaved alike as the rates of acid catalyzed dissociation increased going from DOTA (k1 = 0.040 M-1s-1) to DO3A (k1 = 0.45 M-1s-1). However, the rates of acid catalyzed dissociation decreased from 0.112 M-1s-1 observed for the anionic Mn(II) complex of PCTA to 0.0107 M-1s-1 and 0.00458 M-1s-1 for the cationic Mn(II) complexes of PC3AMH and PC3AMPip ligands, respectively. In spite of its lower denticity (as compared to DOTA) the sterically more hindered amide complex ([Mn(PC3AMPip)]2+) displays surprisingly high conditional stability (pMn = 8.86 vs. pMn = 9.74 for [Mn(PCTA)]-) and excellent kinetic inertness. The substitution of phosphonates for the acetate pendant arms (DOTP and DO3P), however, resulted in a noticeable drop in the conditional stability as well as dissociation kinetic parameters of the corresponding Mn(II) complexes ([Mn(DOTP)]6- and [Mn(DO3P)]4-) underlining that the phosphonate pedant should not be considered as a suitable building block for further ligand design while the tertiary amide moiety will likely have some implications in this respect in the future.

Coordination Properties of GdDO3A-Based Model Compounds of Bioresponsive MRI Contrast Agents.

We report a detailed characterization of the thermodynamic stability and dissociation kinetics of Gd3+ complexes with DO3A derivatives containing a (methylethylcarbamoylmethylamino)acetic acid (L1), (methylpropylcarbamoylmethylamino)acetic acid (L2), 2-dimethylamino- N-ethylacetamide (L3), or 2-dimethylamino- N-propylacetamide (L4) group attached to the fourth nitrogen atom of the macrocyclic unit. These ligands are model systems of Ca2+- and Zn2+-responsive contrast agents (CA) for application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results of the potentiometric studies ( I = 0.15 M NaCl) provide stability constants with log KGdL values in the range 13.9-14.8. The complex speciation in solution was found to be quite complicated due to the formation of protonated species at low pH, hydroxido complexes at high pH, and stable dinuclear complexes in the case of L1,2. At neutral pH significant fractions of the complexes are protonated at the amine group of the amide side chain (log KGdL×H = 7.2-8.1). These ligands form rather weak complexes with Mg2+ and Ca2+ but very stable complexes with Cu2+ (log KCuL = 20.4-22.3) and Zn2+ (log KZnL = 15.5-17.6). Structural studies using a combination of 1H NMR and luminescence spectroscopy show that the amide group of the ligand is coordinated to the metal ion at pH ∼8.5, while protonation of the amine group provokes the decoordination of the amide O atom and a concomitant increase in the hydration number and proton relaxivity. The dissociation of the complexes occurs mainly through a rather efficient proton-assisted pathway, which results in kinetic inertness comparable to that of nonmacrocyclic ligands such as DTPA rather than DOTA-like complexes.

Synthesis of Symmetrical Tetrameric Conjugates of the Radiolanthanide Chelator DOTPI for Application in Endoradiotherapy by Means of Click Chemistry.

Due to its 4 carbonic acid groups being available for bioconjugation, the cyclen tetraphosphinate chelator DOTPI, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7, 10-tetrakis[methylene(2-carboxyethylphosphinic acid)], represents an ideal scaffold for synthesis of tetrameric bioconjugates for labeling with radiolanthanides, to be applied as endoradiotherapeuticals. We optimized a protocol for bio-orthogonal DOTPI conjugation via Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen-cycloaddition of terminal azides and alkynes (CuAAC), based on the building block DOTPI(azide)4. A detailed investigation of kinetic properties of Cu(II)-DOTPI complexes aimed at optimization of removal of DOTPI-bound copper by transchelation. Protonation and equilibrium properties of Ca(II)-, Zn(II), and Cu(II)-complexes of DOTPI and its tetra-cyclohexylamide DOTPI(Chx)4 (a model for DOTPI conjugates) as well as kinetic inertness (transchelation challenge in the presence of 20 to 40-fold excess of EDTA) were investigated by pH-potentiometry and spectrophotometry. Similar stability constants of CaII-, ZnII, and CuII-complexes of DOTPI (logK(CaL) = 8.65, logK(ZnL = 15.40, logK(CuL) = 20.30) and DOTPI(Chx)4 (logK(CaL) = 8.99, logK(ZnL) = 15.13, logK(CuL) = 20.42) were found. Transchelation of Cu(II)-complexes occurs via proton-assisted dissociation, whereafter released Cu(II) is scavenged by EDTA. The corresponding dissociation rates [kd = 25 × 10-7 and 5 × 10-7 s-1 for Cu(DOTPI) and Cu(DOTPI(Chx)4), respectively, at pH 4 and 298 K] indicate that conjugation increases the kinetic inertness by a factor of 5. However, demetallation is completed within 4.5 and 7.2 h at pH 2 and 25°C, respectively, indicating that Cu(II) removal after formation of CuAAC can be achieved in an uncomplicated manner by addition of excess H4EDTA. For proof-of-principle, tetrameric DOTPI conjugates of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting motif Lys-urea-Glu (KuE) were synthesized via CuAAC as well as dibenzo-azacyclooctine (DBCO) based, strain-promoted click chemistry (SPAAC), which were labeled with Lu-177 and subsequently evaluated in vitro and in SCID mice bearing subcutaneous LNCaP tumor (PSMA+ human prostate carcinoma) xenografts. High affinities (3.4 and 1.4 nM, respectively) and persistent tumor uptakes (approx. 3.5% 24 h after injection) confirm suitability of DOTPI-based tetramers for application in targeted radionuclide therapy.

A Coordination Chemistry Approach to Fine-Tune the Physicochemical Parameters of Lanthanide Complexes Relevant to Medical Applications.

The geometric features of two pyclen-based ligands possessing identical donor atoms but different site organization have a profound impact in their complexation properties toward lanthanide ions. The ligand containing two acetate groups and a picolinate arm arranged in a symmetrical fashion (L1) forms a Gd3+ complex being two orders of magnitude less stable than its dissymmetric analogue GdL2. Besides, GdL1 experiences a much faster dissociation following the acid-catalyzed mechanism than GdL2. On the contrary, GdL1 exhibits a lower exchange rate of the coordinated water molecule compared to GdL2. These very different properties are related to different strengths of the Gd-ligand bonds associated to steric effects, which hinder the coordination of a water molecule in GdL2 and the binding of acetate groups in GdL1.

Novel CDTA-based, Bifunctional Chelators for Stable and Inert MnII Complexation: Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization.

In the search for MnII MR and PET/MR imaging agents with optimal balance between thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness, and relaxivity, two novel bifunctional MnII chelators (BFMnCs) based on CDTA (trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) were synthesized. A six-step synthesis, involving the buildup of a functionalized trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane core, provided CuAAC-reactive 6a and 6b bearing an alkyne or azide substituent on the cyclohexane ring, respectively (CuAAC = CuI-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition). Thermodynamic, kinetic, and relaxometric studies were performed with 4-HET-CDTA (8a) as a "model chelator," synthesized in two steps from 6a. The protonation constants revealed that 8a is slightly less basic than CDTA and forms a MnII complex of marginally lower thermodynamic stability (log KMnL = 13.80 vs 14.32, respectively), while the conditional stability constant is almost identical for both chelates (pMn = 8.62 vs 8.68, respectively). Kinetic assessment of the CuII-mediated transmetalation of [Mn(4-HET-CDTA)]2- showed that proton-assisted complex dissociation is slightly slower than for [Mn(CDTA)]2- (k1 = 297 vs 400 M-1 s-1, respectively). Importantly, the dissociation half-life near physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 25 °C) underlined that [Mn(4-HET-CDTA)]2- is ∼35% more inert (t1/2 = 16.2 vs 12.1 h, respectively). Those findings may be accounted for by a combination of reduced basicity and increased rigidity of the ligand. Analysis of the 17O NMR and 1H NMRD data attributed the high relaxivity of [Mn(4-HET-CDTA)]2- (r1 = 4.56 mM-1 s-1 vs 3.65 mM-1 s-1 for [Mn(CDTA)]2-; 20 MHz, 25 °C) to slower rotational dynamics (τR298 = 105 ps). Additionally, the fast water exchange of the complex correlates well with the value reported for [Mn(CDTA)]2- (kex298 = 17.6 × 107 vs 14.0 × 107 s-1, respectively). Given the exquisite compromise between thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness, and relaxivity achieved by [Mn(4-HET-CDTA)]2-, appropriately designed CuAAC-conjugates of 6a/6b are promising precursors for the preparation of targeted, bioresponsive, or high relaxivity manganese-based PET/MR tracers (52g/55 MnII) and MR contrast agents (MnII).

Physico-chemical properties of MnII complexes formed with cis- and trans-DO2A: thermodynamic, electrochemical and kinetic studies.

SYNOPSIS: MnII complexes formed with cis- and trans-DO2A (DO2A=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4 (or 1,7) -diacetic acid) chelators were investigated by pH-potentiometry, 1H relaxometry, UV-vis spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry. The physico-chemical characteristics of MnII complexes of these structure isomers do not differ dramatically, however the cis-DO2A platform has better potential for further development. Manganese (MnII) is a promising alternative to gadolinium (GdIII) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agent. Unlike gadolinium, this biogenic metal might be better tolerated by the body, reducing the risk of toxicity associated with dissociation of the complex. Herein we report detailed equilibrium and kinetic studies performed with MnII complexes of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4-diacetic acid (1,4-DO2A or cis-DO2A) and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetic acid (1,7-DO2A or trans-DO2A). The protonation constants of the ligands as well as stability constants of their MnII complexes have been determined by pH-potentiometry. The stability constants of [Mn(cis-DO2A)] are slightly higher than those of [Mn(trans-DO2A)] (log KMnL=15.68 and 15.22, respectively). Cyclic voltammetric (CV) experiments performed on [Mn(cis-DO2A)] and [Mn(trans-DO2A)] revealed quasireversible systems with a half-wave potential of +636 and +705mV versus Ag/AgCl, respectively. These values indicate that the MnII ion in these complexes is more stabilized against the oxidation than in [Mn(EDTA)]2-. The kinetic inertness of the complexes has been studied in transmetallation reactions with CuII or ZnII ions. Kinetic measurements indicate that both MnII complexes primarily undergo acid catalyzed dissociation and positions of the acetate pendant arms do not influence kinetic inertness. The inertness of these complexes is comparable to that of [Mn(NOTA)]- (NOTA=1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid) and about twenty times lower than that of [Mn(DOTA)]2- (DOTA=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid). In conclusion, [Mn(cis-DO2A)] displays some very interesting features (thermodynamic and redox stability as well as kinetic inertness) which makes this complex a promising platform for the development of more efficient MnII complexes as alternatives to Gd-based MRI agents.

Picolinate-containing macrocyclic Mn2+ complexes as potential MRI contrast agents.

We report the synthesis of the ligand Hnompa (6-((1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)methyl)picolinic acid) and a detailed characterization of the Mn(2+) complexes formed by this ligand and the related ligands Hdompa (6-((1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1-yl)methyl)picolinic acid) and Htempa (6-((1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecan-1-yl)methyl)picolinic acid). These ligands form thermodynamically stable complexes in aqueous solution with stability constants of logKMnL = 10.28(1) (nompa), 14.48(1) (dompa), and 12.53(1) (tempa). A detailed study of the dissociation kinetics of these Mn(2+) complexes indicates that the decomplexation reaction at about neutral pH occurs mainly following a spontaneous dissociation mechanism. The X-ray structure of [Mn2(nompa)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 shows that the Mn(2+) ion is seven-coordinate in the solid state, being directly bound to five donor atoms of the ligand, the oxygen atom of a coordinated water molecule and an oxygen atom of a neighboring nompa(-) ligand acting as a bridging bidentate carboxylate group (µ-η(1)-carboxylate). Nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion ((1)H NMRD) profiles and (17)O NMR chemical shifts and transverse relaxation rates of aqueous solutions of [Mn(nompa)](+) indicate that the Mn(2+) ion is six-coordinate in solution by the pentadentate ligand and one inner-sphere water molecule. The analysis of the (1)H NMRD and (17)O NMR data provides a very high water exchange rate of the inner-sphere water molecule (kex(298) = 2.8 × 10(9) s(-1)) and an unusually high value of the (17)O hyperfine coupling constant of the coordinated water molecule (AO/ℏ = 73.3 ± 0.6 rad s(-1)). DFT calculations performed on the [Mn(nompa)(H2O)](+)·2H2O system (TPSSh model) provide a AO/ℏ value in excellent agreement with the one obtained experimentally.

Aryl-phosphonate lanthanide complexes and their fluorinated derivatives: investigation of their unusual relaxometric behavior and potential application as dual frequency 1H/19F†MRI probes.

A series of low molecular weight lanthanide complexes were developed that have high (1)H longitudinal relaxivities (r1) and the potential to be used as dual frequency (1)H and (19)F MR probes. Their behavior was investigated in more detail through relaxometry, pH-potentiometry, luminescence, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Fitting of the (1)H NMRD and (17)O NMR profiles demonstrated a very short water residence lifetime (<10 ns) and an appreciable second sphere effect. At lower field strengths (20 MHz), two of the complexes displayed a peak in r1 (21.7 and 16.3 mM(-1) s(-1)) caused by an agglomeration, that can be disrupted through the addition of phosphate anions. NMR spectroscopy revealed that at least two species are present in solution interconverting through an intramolecular binding process. Two complexes provided a suitable signal in (19)F NMR spectroscopy and through the selection of optimized imaging parameters, phantom images were obtained in a MRI scanner at concentrations as low as 1 mM. The developed probes could be visualized through both (1)H and (19)F MRI, showing their capability to function as dual frequency MRI contrast agents.

Lanthanide(III) complexes of some natural siderophores: a thermodynamic, kinetic and relaxometric study.

Stability constants of the complexes formed between the natural trihydroxamic acids desferrioxamine B (DFB) and desferricoprogen (DFC) with Nd(III), Gd(III) and Yb(III) ions were determined using pH-potentiometry. The equilibrium in these systems can be described by models containing mononuclear protonated (Ln(HL), Ln(H2L) and Ln(H3L)), deprotonated (LnL) and ternary hydroxo Ln(H-1L) complexes, but for both ligands dinuclear complexes of low stability were also detected. The stability constants for the Ln(HDFB)(+) complexes are 11.95 (Nd(III)), 13.16 (Gd(III)) and 14.67 (Yb(III)), while these values of the Ln(DFC) complexes are considerably higher (14.42 (Nd(III)), 15.14 (Gd(III)) and 16.49 (Yb(III))). The stability constants of the complexes of DFB and DFC are much lower than those of the Ln(L)3 complexes formed with some aromatic hydroxamic acids indicating that the relatively long spacer between the hydroxamic acid moieties in DFB and DFC is unfavorable for Ln(III) complexation. The relaxometric study conducted for the Gd(HDFB)(+) species revealed an interesting pH dependence of the relaxivity associated with a large hydration number (bishydrated complex) and fast water exchange (kex=(29.9±0.4)×10(6)s(-1)), which would be favorable for CA use. However the dissociation of Gd(HDFB)(+) is fairly fast (<2ms) under all conditions employed in the present work thus the kinetically labile Gd(HDFB)(+) is not suitable for in vivo CA applications. Some low stability ternary complexes were also detected with K(Gd(HDFB)(HCO3))=17.5±1.9 and K(Gd(HDFB)(Lactate))=8.4±3.2 but in the presence of citrate and phosphate ions the Gd(HDFB)(+) complex was found to dissociate.

Kinetic inertness of the Mn2+ complexes formed with AAZTA and some open-chain EDTA derivatives.

The results of systematic equilibrium, kinetic, and relaxometric investigations carried out on the Mn(2+) complexes of open-chain and AAZTA ligands indicate that the [Mn(CDTA)](2-) complex has satisfactorily high kinetic inertness (t(1/2) = 12 h at pH = 7.4), which, in turn, may allow its use as a contrast agent in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (as a replacement for Gd(3+)-based agents).

Solution properties of the Ln(III) complexes of a novel octadentate chelator with rigidified iminodiacetate arms.

A novel octadentate ligand derived from the core structure of EGTA (ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) with two piperidine-cis-dicarboxylic acid moieties spaced by a triethylenedioxy chain (L1) has been synthesised with the aim to assess the effect of the structural rigidity on the thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities of its Ln(III) complexes. The stability constants of [Ln(L1)](-) complexes show a weaker binding affinity for Ln(3+) ions of L1 than EGTA. On the other hand, the selectivity of L1 for Ca(2+) over Mg(2+) is one of the highest ever reported. The kinetic inertness has been also investigated and faster rates of both acid catalysed and metal assisted decomplexation have been measured for [Gd(L1)](-) as compared to [Gd(EGTA)](-). The (1)H- and (13)C NMR spectra of the diamagnetic La(3+), Y(3+) and Lu(3+) complexes in aqueous media show pronounced stereochemical rigidity and the occurrence of a structural change across the lanthanide series. Finally, a complete (1)H and (17)O NMR relaxometric study indicates that [Gd(L1)](-) possesses a nine-coordinate ground state with one inner coordination sphere water molecule characterized by a fast rate of exchange ((298)k(ex) = 59 × 10(6) s(-1)).

Synthesis and characterization of a hypoxia-sensitive MRI probe.

Tissue hypoxia occurs in pathologic conditions, such as cancer, ischemic heart disease and stroke when oxygen demand is greater than oxygen supply. An imaging method that can differentiate hypoxic versus normoxic tissue could have an immediate impact on therapy choices. In this work, the gadolinium(III) complex of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) with a 2-nitroimidazole attached to one carboxyl group via an amide linkage was prepared, characterized and tested as a hypoxia-sensitive MRI agent. A control complex, Gd(DO3A-monobutylamide), was also prepared in order to test whether the nitroimidazole side-chain alters either the water proton T(1) relaxivity or the thermodynamic stability of the complex. The stabilities of these complexes were lower than that of Gd(DOTA)(-) as expected for mono-amide derivatives. The water proton T(1) relaxivity (r(1)), bound water residence lifetime (τ(M)) and rotational correlation time (τ(R)) of both complexes was determined by relaxivity measurements, variable temperature (17) O NMR spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) studies. The resulting parameters (r(1) =6.38 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 MHz, τ(M) =0.71 µs, τ(R) =141 ps) determined for the nitroimidazole derivative closely parallel to those of other Gd(DO3A-monoamide) complexes of similar molecular size. In vitro MR imaging experiments with 9L rat glioma cells maintained under nitrogen (hypoxic) versus oxygen (normoxic) gas showed that both agents enter cells but only the nitroimidazole derivative was trapped in cells maintained under N(2) as evidenced by an approximately twofold decrease in T(1) measured for hypoxic cells versus normoxic cells exposed to this agent. These results suggest that the nitroimidazole derivative might serve as a molecular reporter for discriminating hypoxic versus normoxic tissues by MRI.

Mn-loaded apoferritin: a highly sensitive MRI imaging probe for the detection and characterization of hepatocarcinoma lesions in a transgenic mouse model.

Mn-Apo is a highly sensitive MRI contrast agent consisting of ca. 1000 manganese atoms entrapped in the inner cavity of apoferritin. Part of the metallic payload is in the form of Mn(2+) ions that endow the nano-sized system with a very high relaxivity that can be exploited to detect hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Cellular studies showed that Mn-Apo is readily taken up by normal hepatocytes via the ferritin transporting route. Conversely, hepatoma cells (HTC) displayed a markedly reduced ability to entrap Mn-Apo from the culture medium. The i.v. administration of Mn-Apo into C57BL/6 J mice resulted in a marked liver tissue hyperintensity in T(1)-weighted MR image 20 min after injection. When injected into HBV-tg transgenic mice that spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Mn-Apo allowed a clear delineation of healthy liver tissue and tumor lesions as hyperintense and hypointense T(1)-weighted MR images, respectively. Immunohistochemistry analysis correlated Mn-Apo cellular uptake to SCARA5 receptor expression. When the MRI contrast induced by Mn-Apo was compared with that induced by Gd-BOPTA (a commercial contrast agent known to enter mouse hepatocytes through organic anion transporters) it was found that only some of the lesions were detected by both agents while others could only be visualized by one of the two. These results suggest that Mn-Apo may be useful to detect otherwise invisible lesions and that the extent of its uptake directly reports the expression/regulation of SCARA5 receptors. Mn-Apo contrast-enhanced MR images may therefore contribute to improving HCC lesion detection and characterization.