In vivo imaging of GLP-1R with a targeted bimodal PET/fluorescence imaging agent

Bioconjug Chem. 2014 Jul 16;25(7):1323-30. doi: 10.1021/bc500178d. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Abstract

Accurate visualization and quantification of β-cell mass is critical for the improved understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and insulinoma. Here, we describe the synthesis of a bimodal imaging probe (PET/fluorescence) for imaging GLP-1R expression in the pancreas and in pancreatic islet cell tumors. The conjugation of a bimodal imaging tag containing a near-infrared fluorescent dye, and the copper chelator sarcophagine to the GLP-1R targeting peptide exendin-4 provided the basis for the bimodal imaging probe. Conjugation was performed via a novel sequential one-pot synthetic procedure including (64)Cu radiolabeling and copper-catalyzed click-conjugation. The bimodal imaging agent (64)Cu-E4-Fl was synthesized in good radiochemical yield and specific activity (RCY = 36%, specific activity: 141 μCi/μg, >98% radiochemical purity). The agent showed good performance in vivo and ex vivo, visualizing small xenografts (<2 mm) with PET and pancreatic β-cell mass by phosphor autoradiography. Using the fluorescent properties of the probe, we were able to detect individual pancreatic islets, confirming specific binding to GLP-1R and surpassing the sensitivity of the radioactive label. The use of bimodal PET/fluorescent imaging probes is promising for preoperative imaging and fluorescence-assisted analysis of patient tissues. We believe that our procedure could become relevant as a protocol for the development of bimodal imaging agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Islet Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma, Islet Cell / drug therapy
  • Adenoma, Islet Cell / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Tracking / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Copper Radioisotopes*
  • Exenatide
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Pancreas / metabolism*
  • Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Receptors, Glucagon / analysis
  • Receptors, Glucagon / metabolism*
  • Venoms / administration & dosage
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Copper Radioisotopes
  • GLP1R protein, human
  • Glp1r protein, mouse
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Peptides
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptors, Glucagon
  • Venoms
  • Exenatide