Unbound Tracer Research Articles

Preparation and preclinical study of 18F-5-FPN imaging for malignant melanoma

Objective To prepare 18F-5-fluoro-N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl) picolinamide (18F-5-FPN) and evaluate its binding affinity with melanin. Methods 5-bromo-N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)picolinamide (precursor) was synthesized and the structure was characterized by ultraviolet (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. 18F-5-FPN was prepared with FX-XN module through nucleophilic substitution reaction. The product was purified and identified by HPLC. The binding specificity of 18F-5-FPN with melanin was demonstrated by in vitro study of cellular uptake, and in vivo static PET imaging of pigmented B16F10 and amelanotic A375m allografts. Biodistribution study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 18F-5-FPN in vivo. Two-sample t test was used for data analysis. Results The structure of precursor was characterized by UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrometry. 18F-5-FPN was successfully prepared with radiochemical yield of 5%-8%, radiochemical purity >95% and the specific activity of 100-120 GBq/μmol. The cell uptake study showed that the uptakes of 18F-5-FPN in B16F10 cells at 30, 60 and 120 min ((9.80±0.46)%, (10.34±0.32)%, (7.27±0.26)%) were significantly higher than those in A375m cells ((1.36±0.14)%, (1.75±0.12)%, (1.54±0.09)%; t=30.3, 46.8, 38.4, all P<0.05), and the optimal uptakes were observed at 60 min for both cells. In static PET imaging, the tumors in B16F10-bearing mice were clearly visible with the uptake value of (18.20±3.21) %ID/g and the T/B ratio of 19.17±10.03 at 1 h postinjection, while no tumor uptake was seen in A375m-bearing mice. The main clearance pathway of 18F-5-FPN was the renal system, which cleared the unbound tracer rapidly. Conclusions 18F-5-FPN can specifically target the melanin in vitro and in vivo with favorable pharmacokinetics and good T/B ratio. 18F-5-FPN may be an ideal molecular probe for diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Key words: Formamides; Isotope labeling; Fluorine radioisotopes; Tomography, emission-computed; Melanoma; Mice

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Resolution in PET hypoxia imaging: Voxel size matters

Introduction. Tumor hypoxia adversely affects treatment outcome, especially in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) based on PET-generated tumor hypoxia maps allows dose boosting to hypoxic sub-volumes and has received considerable interest. However, the combination of slow oxygenation-dependent tracer retention, slow clearance of unbound tracer from non-hypoxic tissue and the necessity to average signal over large non-homogenous tissue areas due to the low PET resolution remains problematic. Materials and Methods. To assess pitfalls inherent to low-resolution imaging we have analyzed the fine-scale distribution of a PET hypoxia tracer (autoradiograms) and tissue architecture (immunofluorecence microscopy) in sectioned experimental SCCs, and compared the results to those obtained when applying macroscopic averaging mimicking the resolution in clinical PET scanners. Results and Discussion. We show that tumor areas that would be classified as non-hypoxic based on simple PET threshold identification, often contains foci of hypoxic cells, in particular in tumors where necrosis and severely hypoxic cells are intermixed. In contrast, in a non-necrotic tumor model we found that the risk of missing hypoxic cells was greatly reduced, however, its patchy hypoxic pattern made a clear delineation of a target to boost unfeasible. We discuss the implications of these and other complicating factors in PET hypoxia-imaging and outline future strategies to overcome or circumvent them.

Development of a Fluorescent Latex Microparticle Immunoassay for the Detection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) is a highly heat resistant enteric toxin with a potential as a biothreat agent. A sensitive method for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins is needed for food safety and food defense monitoring. The objectives of this research were to develop a competitive fluorescent immunoassay with detection of SEB below toxic levels of 1 ng/mL and to minimize sample preparation. Anti-SEB was immobilized onto carboxylated polystyrene microparticles, and SEB was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The concentrations of these reagents were optimized for the detection of SEB below 1 part per billion (1 ng/mL), and other assay conditions (sample volumes and incubation periods) were optimized. Drinking water and milk samples were spiked with 0.125-10 ng/mL SEB and were equilibrated overnight prior to analysis. The water and milk samples were directly analyzed, but heating the milk samples for 10 min at 90 degrees C improved the assay performance. SEB in samples bound with the anti-SEB linked to the latex followed by the competitive binding of SEB-FITC tracer. The excess, unbound tracer was separated by centrifugation, and the fluorescence density of the supernatant was measured. SEB was detected at levels as low as 0.125 ng/mL in drinking water and 0.5 ng/mL in whole milk. This fluorescent latex particle immunoassay will be utilized for the detection of SEB in various foods matrices.

Plasma clearance and tissue distribution of labelled chicken and human IGF-I and IGF-II in the chicken.

The metabolic clearance of chicken IGF-I (cIGF-I), cIGF-II, human IGF-I (hIGF-I), and hIGF-II was examined in the chicken using 125I-labelled growth factors. Superose-12 chromatography of plasma collected at 7.5 min post-infusion revealed peaks of radioactivity corresponding to 150 and 43 kDa and unbound tracer. Statistical analysis of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable radioactivity in sequential plasma samples as well as following chromatography of the same samples revealed that clearance of the radiolabelled peptides followed an apparent triphasic pattern. The close similarity of the individual chromatographically defined pools in their clearance rate compared with the three components described by TCA precipitation strongly suggested their identity. Both free 125I-labelled cIGF-II (3.11 min) and hIGF-II (3.01 min) were cleared at a greater rate than their IGF-I counterparts. Unbound hIGF-I was cleared at a greater rate than cIGF-I (4.45 vs 5.66 min respectively). A similar pattern for clearance was evident in the radio-labelled growth factors associated with the 43 kDa component, although at a longer half-life. There was no difference in the apparent clearance of the radiolabelled growth factors associated with the 150 kDa component between IGF-I or -II or between species. Analysis of the chromatographic profiles of radioactive IGF-I peptides complexed to serum proteins versus those bound to labelled IGF-II peptides revealed the presence of a large molecular mass binding protein in vivo. Ligand blotting of chicken serum determined that a binding protein with a mass of 70 kDa was detectable with 125I-IGF-II probes only, and was not present in pig serum. In addition, tissue uptake of 125I-cIGF-I and -II was evaluated. Similar patterns of tissue distribution and uptake were observed for 125I-cIGF-I and -II, except that cIGF-II uptake by the liver exceeded that of 125I-cIGF-I at 15 min post-infusion. The rank order of tissue distribution was as follows: kidney > testis > heart > liver > pancreas > small intestine > cartilage > bursa > gizzard > leg muscle > breast muscle > brain. We conclude from these studies that the clearance of IGFs from the compartments identified in blood and the potential target tissues is dependent on their interactions with IGF-binding proteins and receptors.

Labelling of leukocytes with 99mTc-HMPAO for scintigraphy of inflammatory lesions and abscesses

A simplified and efficient procedure for 99mTc-HMPAO-labelling of leukocytes is described. For this purpose, the pH and concentration of the 99mTc-HMPAO preparation was modified. Leukocytes were isolated from a 20 mL mixture of patient blood, 5 mL ACD and 0.8 mL methylcellulose after 1 h sedimentation of erythrocytes and centrifugation (at 400 g) of the obtained plasma layer. Simultaneously, 99mTc-HMPAO was prepared (one single-dose kit for two patients) by adding 2.2 mL 99mTc-generator eluate and, after 10 min, 0.3 mL of phosphate buffer to lower the pH to 7. The isolated WBCs were then labelled by the addition of 1-1.2 mL of 99mTc-HMPAO solution and incubated for 20 min. The unbound tracer was then discarded, the labelled WBC washed and finally resuspended in autologous cell-free plasma. Leukocytes labelled by this procedure were used for scintigraphic localization of inflammatory lesions and abscesses in the gastro-intestinal tract. The labelling efficiency was 60 ± 9%, with a separation yield of 55 ± 11%.

Modeling flux of free and protein-bound radioisotopes into the pulmonary interstitium

Several groups of investigators are using external detection of radiolabeled protein to study the flux of protein from plasma into the pulmonary interstitium. A basic assumption for these studies has been that the unbound (free) tracer concentration is small and insignificant. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how free tracer influences the determination of normalized slope index. A five-compartment model for the lung was used with transport equations for both unbound and bound nuclide flux. Parameters of the unbound and bound transport equations were varied to evaluate the sensitivity of normalized slope index to each parameter. The model was also compared with published protein flux data to investigate the validity of the transport model. Application of the model to external scan data provides a sensitive method for evaluating the flux of bound and unbound tracers into the pulmonary interstitium. We conclude that because the distribution volume for unbound tracer is large with respect to protein distribution volume, even a small amount of unbound tracer (2-5%) can create large errors in the determination of normalized slope index.

Development and Validation of a Radioimmunoassay for Serum Melatonin

A radioimmunoassay using N-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-[4-hydroxy-3- [125I]iodophenylpropionyl)]-5-methoxytryptamine as tracer for determination of melatonin in the serum of different species is described. Melatonin antisera were raised in rabbits by immunization with a bovine serum albumin conjugate of N-[3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-methoxy indole] hemisuccinamide. A single high affinity, specific antiserum was obtained. In contrast to previous studies, the tracer was synthesised in one step in the absence of water, giving an excellent yield of highly pure product. No chromatographic purification step was needed. Polyethylene glycol in combination with goat antirabbit immunoglobulins was used to separate bound and unbound tracer. Sera were delipidized with Lipoclean prior the extraction of melatonin with diethyl ether. This sample preparation allows the determination of melatonin in the presence of widely varying amounts of lipids in human, rat and hamster serum. Using this extraction procedure, the sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay was approximately 1 ng/l of serum. Dilutions of sera and of synthetic melatonin gave the same parallel response in the radioimmunoassay. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of a serum extract showed only one immunoreactive peak co-eluting with synthetic melatonin. Characteristic diurnal rhythms of melatonin were observed in all species. All assay components including standards and serum controls are stable for at least 1 year at 4 degrees C, thus facilitating the determination of melatonin in a routine laboratory.

40] Use of protein A in the detection and quantitation of immunoglobulin G on the surface of lymphocytes

This chapter reviews that cell-associated IgG molecules either produced by, or attached to, lymphoid cells can be detected and quantitated using labeled protein A (SpA). There are two main methods for detection and/or quantitation of surface IgG: (1) cytochemical methods using SpA labeled with fluorescent dyes detected by fluorescent microscopy; radionuclides detected by autoradiography; electron-dense materials detected by electron microscopy, or microparticles detected by light, fluorescent, or scanning microscopy, and (2) radiochemical methods using SpA labeled with 125I, 131I or 3H, followed by determination of radioactivity in a gamma or scintillation counter. The chapter also discusses the labeled SpA preparations that exhibit three main features: (1) the ability to react with IgG, (2) low content of free, unbound tracer, and (3) low nonspecific binding to the cell surface. It reviews that the last property of labeled SpA preparations can be easily checked by omitting treatment of cells with the specific antibody when antigenic markers are tested.

Binding of &lt;sup&gt;14&lt;/sup&gt;C-ADP by Thrombasthenic Platelet Membranes

We have measured the binding of 14C-ADP to isolated human platelet membranes by a technique using 0.8-mum Millipore filters to separate unbound tracer from membrane-bound nucleotide. The binding was dependent on the time of incubation and on the nucleotide concentration in the medium. The affinity constant was found to be comprised between 0.35 x 10(6) and 0.55 x 10 (6) M-1. Platelet membranes prepared from different thrombasthenic patients bound 14C-ADP with the same kinetic parameters as those from normal subjects. The affinity constant as determined for two of these thrombasthenic platelet membrane preparations was in the normal range.

Radioimmunoassay of human fibrinopeptide B and kinetics of fibrinopeptide cleavage by different enzymes.

Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin monomer by cleaving fibrinopeptides A and B (FPA and FPB) from the amino terminal ends of the A (alpha) and B (beta) chains. A radioimmunoassay capable of measuring the A peptide in human blood as an index of thrombin action in vivo has been described previously. This paper describes the development of a radioimmunoassay for FPB and the use of both assays in the demonstration of distinctive patterns of cleavage of the amino terminal ends of the A (alha) and B (beta) chains of fibrinogen by various enzymes. Antisera were raised in rabbits to a synthetic analogue of FPB coupled to bovine serum albumin. FPB analogue was couple to desaminotyrosine and radiolabeled with 125I by the chloramine-T technique. The radiolabeled peptide was bound by the antiserum, and binding was inhibited by synthetic or native FPB. Unbound tracer was separated from bound tracer by charcoal adsorption. The senistivity of the assay was such that 50% inhibition of binding of the tracer was caused by 1.25 ng of the native FPB. Fibrinogen was treated with thrombin, plasmin, trypsin, Reptilase, and an extract of the venom from Ancistrodon contortrix contortrix (ACC). After ethanol precipitation and centrifugation, dialysates of enzymatically altered fibrinogen were assayed for FPA and FPB. The action of thrombin on fibrinogen resulted in a rapid release of FPA and a slower release of FPB. Plasmin cleaved a segment(s) of the B (beta) chain which included FPB but cleaved no detectable FPA-containing material for the first 2 h of incubation. In the case of plasmin-treated fibrinogen, the dialysates had been further treated with thrombin before being assayed for FPA and FPB. Trypsin rapidly cleaved both peptides, the B before the A. Reptilase cleaved only FPA in 24 h. ACC cleaved FPB at a rapid rate, with a slowere cleavage of FPA. The distinctive cleavage patterns produced by the serine proteases may be useful in interpreting the levels of FPA and FPB measured in human blood and in studying the generation of FPA and FPB in clinical blood samples.