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Khalil A, Hakhverdyan S, Cheung P, Bossart M, Wagner M, Eriksson O, Velikyan I. Introduction of a fatty acid chain modification to prolong circulatory half-life of a radioligand towards glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor. Nucl Med Biol 2024; 128-129:108876. [PMID: 38241936 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2024.108876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The beneficial role of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) in weight control and maintaining glucose levels has led to the development of several multi-agonistic peptide drug candidates, targeting GIPR and glucagon like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) and/or the glucagon receptor (GCGR). The in vivo quantification of target occupancy by these drugs would accelerate the development of new drug candidates. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel peptide (GIP1234), based on previously reported ligand DOTA-GIP-C803, modified with a fatty acid moiety to prolong its blood circulation. It would allow higher target tissue exposure and consequently improved peptide uptake as well as in vivo PET imaging and quantification of GIPR occupancy by novel drugs of interest. METHOD A 40 amino acid residue peptide (GIP1234) was synthesized based on DOTA-GIP-C803, in turn based on the sequences of endogenous GIP and Exendin-4 with specific amino acid modifications to obtain GIPR selectivity. A palmitoyl fatty acid chain was furthermore added at Lys14 via a glutamic acid linker to prolong its blood circulation time by the interaction with albumin. GIP1234 was conjugated with a DOTA chelator at the C-terminal cysteine residue to achieve 68Ga radiolabeling. The resulting PET probe, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 was evaluated for receptor binding specificity and selectivity using HEK293 cells transfected with human GIPR, GLP1R, or GCGR. Blocking experiments with tirzepatide (2 μM) were conducted using huGIPR HEK293 cells to investigate binding specificity. Ex vivo and in vivo organ distribution of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 was studied in rats and a pig in comparison to [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-C803-GIP. Binding of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 to albumin was assessed in situ using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The stability was tested in formulation buffer and rat blood plasma. RESULTS [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 was synthesized with non-decay corrected radiochemical yield of 88 ± 3.7 % and radiochemical purity of 97.8 ± 0.8 %. The molar activity for the radiotracer was 8.1 ± 1.1 MBq/nmol. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 was stable and maintained affinity to huGIPR HEK293 cells (dissociation constant (Kd) = 40 ± 12.5 nM). The binding of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 to huGCGR and huGLP1R cells was insignificant. Pre-incubation of huGIPR HEK293 cell sections with tirzepatide resulted in the decrease of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 binding by close to 90 %. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 displayed slow blood clearance in pigs with SUV = 3.5 after 60 min. Blood retention of the tracer in rat was 2-fold higher than that of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-C803-GIP. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 also demonstrated strong liver uptake in both pig and rat combined with decreased renal excretion. The concentration dependent binding of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 to albumin was confirmed in situ by PAGE. CONCLUSION [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-GIP1234 demonstrated nanomolar affinity and selectivity for huGIPR in vitro. Addition of a fatty acid moiety prolonged blood circulation time and tissue exposure in both rat and pig in vivo. However, the liver uptake was also increased which may make PET imaging of abdominal tissues such as pancreas challenging. The investigation of the influence of fatty acid moiety on the biological performance of the peptide ligand paved the way for further rational design of GIPR ligand analogues with improved characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Khalil
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sona Hakhverdyan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pierre Cheung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Bossart
- R&D Research Platform, Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael Wagner
- R&D Research Platform, Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany; Current address: Dewpoint Therapeutics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden; Antaros Medical AB, Mölndal, Sweden; Antaros Tracer AB, Mölndal, Sweden.
| | - Irina Velikyan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden.
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Derdau V, Elmore CS, Hartung T, McKillican B, Mejuch T, Rosenbaum C, Wiebe C. The Future of (Radio)-Labeled Compounds in Research and Development within the Life Science Industry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306019. [PMID: 37610759 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
In this review the applications of isotopically labeled compounds are discussed and put into the context of their future impact in the life sciences. Especially discussing their use in the pharma and crop science industries to follow their fate in the environment, in vivo or in complex matrices to understand the potential harm of new chemical structures and to increase the safety of human society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Derdau
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Research & Development, Integrated Drug Discovery, Isotope Chemistry, Industriepark Höchst, G876, 65926, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Charles S Elmore
- Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Pharma Research and Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bruce McKillican
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, North America Product Safety (retired), USA
| | - Tom Mejuch
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions, Ludwigshafen, Germany
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Velikyan I, Bossart M, Haack T, Laitinen I, Estrada S, Johansson L, Pierrou S, Wagner M, Eriksson O. Imaging of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor Using a Novel Radiolabeled Peptide Rationally Designed Based on Endogenous GIP and Synthetic Exendin-4 Sequences. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010061. [PMID: 36678558 PMCID: PMC9864903 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Imaging and radiotherapy targeting the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) could potentially benefit the management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), complementing clinically established radiopharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to evaluate a GIPR-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand with receptor-specific binding, fast blood clearance, and low liver background uptake. The peptide DOTA-bioconjugate, C803-GIP, was developed based on the sequence of the endogenous GIP(1-30) and synthetic exendin-4 peptides with selective amino acid mutations to combine their specificity for the GIPR and in vivo stability, respectively. The 68Ga-labeled bioconjugate was evaluated in vitro in terms of binding affinity, specificity, and internalization in HEK293 cells transfected with the human GIPR, GLP1, or GCG receptors and in sections of human insulinoma and NENs. In vivo binding specificity, biodistribution, and tissue background were investigated in mice bearing huGIPR-HEK293 xenografts and in a pig. Ex vivo organ distribution, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry were studied in normal rats. [68Ga]Ga-C803-GIP was stable and demonstrated a high affinity to the huGIPR-HEK293 cells. Binding specificity was demonstrated in vitro in frozen sections of NENs and huGIPR-HEK293 cells. No specific uptake was observed in the negative controls of huGLP1R and huGCGR cells. A novel rationally designed PET radioligand, [68Ga]Ga-C803-GIP, demonstrated promising binding characteristics and specificity towards the GIPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Velikyan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
- PET Centre, Centre for Medical Imaging, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (M.B.); Tel.: +46-(0)70-4834137 (I.V.)
| | - Martin Bossart
- R&D Research Platform, Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, 65929 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (I.V.); (M.B.); Tel.: +46-(0)70-4834137 (I.V.)
| | - Torsten Haack
- R&D Research Platform, Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, 65929 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Sergio Estrada
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Michael Wagner
- R&D Research Platform, Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, 65929 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
- Antaros Medical AB, SE-431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
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Abstract
In this issue, Bossart et al. report the in vivo receptor occupancy, body weight lowering effects in monkeys, and first-in-human results of SAR441255, a balanced GLP-1R/GIPR/GcgR triagonist. Following single doses to humans, SAR441255 shows positive acute glucoregulatory effects and an acceptable safety profile on gastrointestinal tolerability and cardiovascular hemodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Finan
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46241, USA.
| | - Jonathan D Douros
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46241, USA
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Bossart M, Wagner M, Elvert R, Evers A, Hübschle T, Kloeckener T, Lorenz K, Moessinger C, Eriksson O, Velikyan I, Pierrou S, Johansson L, Dietert G, Dietz-Baum Y, Kissner T, Nowotny I, Einig C, Jan C, Rharbaoui F, Gassenhuber J, Prochnow HP, Agueusop I, Porksen N, Smith WB, Nitsche A, Konkar A. Effects on weight loss and glycemic control with SAR441255, a potent unimolecular peptide GLP-1/GIP/GCG receptor triagonist. Cell Metab 2022; 34:59-74.e10. [PMID: 34932984 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Unimolecular triple incretins, combining the activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon (GCG), have demonstrated reduction in body weight and improved glucose control in rodent models. We developed SAR441255, a synthetic peptide agonist of the GLP-1, GCG, and GIP receptors, structurally based on the exendin-4 sequence. SAR441255 displays high potency with balanced activation of all three target receptors. In animal models, metabolic outcomes were superior to results with a dual GLP-1/GCG receptor agonist. Preclinical in vivo positron emission tomography imaging demonstrated SAR441255 binding to GLP-1 and GCG receptors. In healthy subjects, SAR441255 improved glycemic control during a mixed-meal tolerance test and impacted biomarkers for GCG and GIP receptor activation. Single doses of SAR441255 were well tolerated. The results demonstrate that integrating GIP activity into dual GLP-1 and GCG receptor agonism provides improved effects on weight loss and glycemic control while buffering the diabetogenic risk of chronic GCG receptor agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bossart
- Synthetic Medicinal Modalities, Integrated Drug Discovery Germany, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Michael Wagner
- Synthetic Medicinal Modalities, Integrated Drug Discovery Germany, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Evers
- Synthetic Medicinal Modalities, Integrated Drug Discovery Germany, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | - Katrin Lorenz
- Synthetic Medicinal Modalities, Integrated Drug Discovery Germany, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Olof Eriksson
- Antaros Medical AB, Mölndal, Sweden; Science For Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irina Velikyan
- Science For Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; PET Centre, Centre for Medical Imaging, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Irene Nowotny
- Translational Medicine & Early Development, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Christelle Jan
- Clinical Sciences & Operations, Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Faiza Rharbaoui
- Translational Medicine & Early Development, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - William B Smith
- NOCCR Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR), Knoxville, TN, USA
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Bini J, Norcross M, Cheung M, Duffy A. The Role of Positron Emission Tomography in Bariatric Surgery Research: a Review. Obes Surg 2021; 31:4592-4606. [PMID: 34304378 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-021-05576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bariatric surgery, initially understood as restricting or bypassing the amount of food that reaches the stomach to reduce food intake and/or increase malabsorption of food to promote weight loss, is now recognized to also affect incretin signaling in the gut and promote improvements in system-wide metabolism. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique whereby patients are injected with picomolar concentrations of radioactive molecules, below the threshold of having physiological effects, to measure spatial distributions of blood flow, metabolism, receptor, and enzyme pharmacology. Recent advances in both whole-body PET imaging and radioligand development will allow for novel research that may help clarify the roles of peripheral and central receptor/enzyme systems in treating obesity with bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Bini
- Yale PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, 801 Howard Avenue, PO Box 208048, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | - Maija Cheung
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew Duffy
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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