Multimeric system of 99mTc-labeled gold nanoparticles conjugated to c[RGDfK(C)] for molecular imaging of tumor α(v)β(3) expression

Bioconjug Chem. 2011 May 18;22(5):913-22. doi: 10.1021/bc100551s. Epub 2011 May 3.

Abstract

Integrin α(V)β(3) plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Suitably radiolabeled cyclic RGD peptides can be used for noninvasive imaging of α(V)β(3) expression. The aim of this research was to prepare a multimeric system of technetium-99m-labeled gold nanoparticles conjugated to c[RGDfK(C)] and to evaluate its biological behavior as a potential radiopharmaceutical for molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis. Hydrazinonicotinamide-GGC (HYNIC-GGC) and c[RGDfK(C)] peptides were synthesized and conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNP, 20 nm) by means of spontaneous reaction of the thiol groups of cysteine. The nanoconjugate was characterized by TEM, FT-IR, UV-vis, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. To obtain (99m)Tc-HYNIC-GGC-AuNP-c[RGDfK(C)] ((99m)Tc-AuNP-RGD), the (99m)Tc-HYNIC-GGC radiopeptide was first prepared and added to 1.5 mL of AuNP solution (1 nM) followed by c[RGDfK(C)] (10 μL, 50 μM) at 18 °C with stirring for 15 min. Radiochemical purity (RP) was determined by size-exclusion HPLC and ITLC-SG analyses. In vitro binding studies were carried out in α(V)β(3) receptor-positive C6 glioma cancer cells. Biodistribution studies were accomplished in athymic mice with C6-induced tumors with blocked and nonblocked receptors, and images were obtained using a micro-SPECT/CT. TEM and spectroscopy techniques demonstrated that AuNPs were functionalized with peptides. RP was 96 ± 2% without postlabeling purification. (99m)Tc-AuNP-RGD showed specific recognition for α(V)β(3) integrins expressed in C6 cells, and 3 h after i.p. administration in mice, the tumor uptake was 8.18 ± 0.57% ID/g. Micro-SPECT/CT images showed evident tumor uptake. (99m)Tc-AuNP-RGD demonstrates properties suitable for use as a target-specific agent for molecular imaging of tumor α(V)β(3) expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Gold* / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / analysis*
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / biosynthesis
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Imaging*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organotechnetium Compounds* / chemistry
  • Organotechnetium Compounds* / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / pharmacokinetics
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • cyclic (arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-phenylalanyl-lysyl)
  • Gold