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Ferrauto G, Terreno E. Compartmentalized agents: A powerful strategy for enhancing the detection sensitivity of chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast. NMR Biomed 2023; 36:e4791. [PMID: 35731545 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the very beginnings of the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique, poor overall sensitivity has appeared to be one of its strongest limitations for future applications. Research has therefore focused on designing systems, such as supramolecular and nanosized agents, that contain a high number of magnetically equivalent mobile spins. However, the number of mobile spins offered by these systems is still limited by their composition and surface/volume ratio. The design of compartmentalized agents, that is, systems where an aqueous inner core is separated from the MRI-detected bulk pool via a semipermeable barrier/membrane, is very much a step forward for the technique. These vesicular systems can (i) act as biocompatible and versatile carriers for dia-, para-, and hetero-nuclear CEST probes, thus offering new application options; and (ii) act as CEST probes themselves via the encapsulation of a suitable agent (e.g., a paramagnetic shift reagent) that can change the resonance frequency of the spin pool in the inner compartment only. LipoCEST agents were the pioneers in the latter category, as they are able to grant picomolar sensitivity (in terms of nanoparticle concentration), and paved the way for new applications for CEST agents, especially in the theranostic research area. The use of larger, natural vesicular systems, such as yeasts and cells, in which the huge number of intravesicular spins lowers the detection threshold to a femtomolar limit, is a further step forward in the development of compartmentalized CEST agents. Finally, interesting combinations of nanovesicular and cellular compartmentalized systems have been proposed, thus highlighting how the approach has the potential to drive CEST agents towards completing their journey to mature clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Center for Molecular and Preclinical Imaging, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Center for Molecular and Preclinical Imaging, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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2
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Liu G, van Zijl PC. CEST (Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer) MR Molecular Imaging. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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3
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Carniato F, Ferrauto G, Muñoz-úbeda M, Tei L. Water Diffusion Modulates the CEST Effect on Tb(III)-Mesoporous Silica Probes. Magnetochemistry 2020; 6:38. [DOI: 10.3390/magnetochemistry6030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The anchoring of lanthanide(III) chelates on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) allowed their investigation as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents. Since their efficiency is strongly related to the interaction occurring between Ln-chelates and “bulk” water, an estimation of the water diffusion inside MSNs channels is very relevant. Herein, a method based on the exploitation of the CEST properties of TbDO3A-MSNs was applied to evaluate the effect of water diffusion inside MSN channels. Two MSNs, namely MCM-41 and SBA-15, with different pores size distributions were functionalized with TbDO3A-like chelates and polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules and characterized by HR-TEM microscopy, IR spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The different distribution of Tb-complexes in the two systems, mainly on the external surface in case of MCM-41 or inside the internal pores for SBA-15, resulted in variable CEST efficiency. Since water molecules diffuse slowly inside silica channels, the CEST effect of the LnDO3A-SBA-15 system was found to be one order of magnitude lower than in the case of TbDO3A-MCM-41. The latter system reaches an excellent sensitivity of ca. 55 ± 5 μM, which is useful for future theranostic or imaging applications.
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4
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Di Gregorio E, Ferrauto G, Schwarzer E, Gianolio E, Valente E, Ulliers D, Aime S, Skorokhod O. Relaxometric studies of erythrocyte suspensions infected by Plasmodium falciparum: a tool for staging infection and testing anti-malarial drugs. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:3366-3378. [PMID: 32602953 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malaria is a global health problem with the most malignant form caused by Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Parasite maturation in red blood cells (RBCs) is accompanied by changes including the formation of paramagnetic hemozoin (HZ) nanocrystals, and increased metabolism and variation in membrane lipid composition. Herein, MR relaxometry (MRR) was applied to investigate water exchange across RBCs' membrane and HZ formation in parasitized RBCs. METHODS Transverse water protons relaxation rate constants (R2 = 1/T2 ) were measured for assessing HZ formation in P. falciparum-parasitized human RBCs. Moreover, water exchange lifetimes across the RBC membrane (τi ) were assessed by measuring longitudinal relaxation rate constants (R1 = 1/T1 ) at 21.5 MHz in the presence of a gadolinium complex dissolved in the suspension medium. RESULTS τi increased after invasion of parasites (ring stage, mean τi / τ i 0 = 1.234 ± 0.022) and decreased during maturation to late trophozoite (mean τi / τ i 0 = 0.960 ± 0.075) and schizont stages (mean τi / τ i 0 = 1.019 ± 0.065). The HZ accumulation in advanced stages was revealed by T2 -shortening. The curves reporting R2 (1/T2 ) vs. magnetic field showed different slopes for non-parasitized RBCs (npRBCs) and parasitized RBCs (pRBCs), namely 0.003 ± 0.001 for npRBCs, 0.009 ± 0.002, 0.028 ± 0.004 and 0.055 ± 0.002 for pRBCs at ring-, early trophozoite-, and late trophozoite stage, respectively. Antimalarial molecules dihydroartemisinin and chloroquine elicited measurable changes in parasitized RBCs, namely dihydroartemisinin modified τi , whereas the interference of chloroquine with HZ formation was detectable by a significant T2 increase. CONCLUSIONS MRR can be considered a useful tool for reporting on P. falciparum blood stages and for screening potential antimalarial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Eliana Gianolio
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Valente
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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5
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Abstract
MRI with hyperpolarized 129Xe can achieve low-concentration detection. Herein, nanoparticle-coated perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) was developed as a 129Xe MRI contrast agent with a moderate exchange rate, sufficient stability and feasible surface modification. The αvβ3 integrin overexpressed by non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells was successfully detected by 129Xe MRI with high specificity through adequate surface modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy of Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China.
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6
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Sforzi J, Ferrauto G, Aime S, Geninatti Crich S. A Simple and Fast Assay Based on Carboxyfluorescein-Loaded Liposome for Quantitative DNA Detection. ACS Omega 2020; 5:1764-1772. [PMID: 32039311 PMCID: PMC7003241 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of an innovative and easy way to run assays for the quantitative detection of DNA present in biological fluids (i.e., blood, urine, and saliva) is of great interest for early diagnosis (e.g., tumors) and personalized medicine. Herein, a new quantitative assay based on the use of highly sensitive carboxyfluorescein-loaded liposomes as signal amplification systems is reported. The method has been tested for the detection of low amounts of DNA sequences. The reported proof of concept exploits a target DNA molecule as a linker between two complementary oligonucleotides. One oligonucleotide is biotinylated at its 3' end and binds to streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads, whereas the other one is conjugated to a cholesterol molecule incorporated in the phospholipidic bilayer of the fluorescent liposomes. In the presence of the target fragment, the correct formation of a construct takes place as witnessed by a strong fluorescence signal, amplified by dissolving lipidic nanoparticles with Triton X-100. The system is able to detect specific nucleotide sequences with a very low detection threshold of target DNA (tens of picomolar). The assay allows the detection of both single- and double-stranded DNA. Studies performed in human blood serum show the correct assembling of the probe but with a reduction of limit of detection (up to ∼1 nM). This liposome signal amplification strategy could be used not only for the detection of DNA but also for other nucleic acids (mRNA; microRNA) that are difficult to be quantified by currently available protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sforzi
- Molecular
Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences and IBB-CNR, c/o
Molecular Biotechnology Center, University
of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular
Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences and IBB-CNR, c/o
Molecular Biotechnology Center, University
of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
- E-mail:
| | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular
Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences and IBB-CNR, c/o
Molecular Biotechnology Center, University
of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Simonetta Geninatti Crich
- Molecular
Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences and IBB-CNR, c/o
Molecular Biotechnology Center, University
of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
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7
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Tripepi M, Ferrauto G, Bennardi PO, Aime S, Delli Castelli D. Multilamellar LipoCEST Agents Obtained from Osmotic Shrinkage of Paramagnetically Loaded Giant Unilamellar Vescicles (GUVs). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201912327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tripepi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesUniversity of Torino Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesUniversity of Torino Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Paolo Oronzo Bennardi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesUniversity of Torino Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesUniversity of Torino Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesUniversity of Torino Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
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8
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Tripepi M, Ferrauto G, Bennardi PO, Aime S, Delli Castelli D. Multilamellar LipoCEST Agents Obtained from Osmotic Shrinkage of Paramagnetically Loaded Giant Unilamellar Vescicles (GUVs). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:2279-2283. [PMID: 31803970 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201912327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Moving from nano- to micro-systems may not just be a matter of scale, but it might imply changes in the properties of the systems that can open new routes for the development of efficient MRI contrast agents. This is the case reported in the present paper, where giant liposomes (giant unilamellar vesicles, GUVs) loaded with LnIII complexes have been studied as chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI contrast agents. The comparison between nanosized liposomes (small unilamellar vesicles, SUVs) and GUVs sharing the same formulation led to differences that could not be accounted for only in terms of the increase in size (from 100-150 nm to 1-2 μm). Upon osmotic shrinkage, GUVs yielded a saturation-transfer effect three order of magnitude higher than SUVs consistent with the increase in vesicles volume. Confocal microscopy showed that the shrinkage of GUVs resulted in multilamellar particles whereas SUVs are known to yield asymmetrical, discoidal shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tripepi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Oronzo Bennardi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
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Bond CJ, Sokolow GE, Crawley MR, Burns PJ, Cox JM, Mayilmurugan R, Morrow JR. Exploring Inner-Sphere Water Interactions of Fe(II) and Co(II) Complexes of 12-Membered Macrocycles To Develop CEST MRI Probes. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:8710-8719. [PMID: 31247845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b01072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Several paramagnetic Co(II) and Fe(II) macrocyclic complexes were prepared with the goal of introducing a bound water ligand to produce paramagnetically shifted water 1H resonances and for paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) applications. Three 12-membered macrocycles with amide pendent groups including 1,7-bis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodocane (DCMC), 4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-,4,7,10-triaza-12-crown-ether (N3OA), and 4,10-bis(carbamoylmethyl)-4,10-diaza-12-crown-ether (NODA) were prepared and their Co(II) complexes were characterized in the solid state and in solution. The crystal structure of [Co(DCMC)]Br2 featured a six-coordinated Co(II) center with distorted octahedral geometry, while [Co(NODA)(OH2)]Cl2 and [Co(N3OA)](NO3)2 were seven-coordinated. The analogous Fe(II) complexes of NODA and NO3A were successfully prepared, but the complex of DCMC oxidized rapidly to the Fe(III) form. Similarly, [Fe(NODA)]2+ oxidized over several days, forming crystals of the Fe(III) complex isolated as the μ-O bridged dimer. Magnetic susceptibility values and paramagnetic NMR spectra of the Fe(II) complexes of NODA and N3OA, as well as Co(II) complexes of DCMC, NODA, and N3OA, were consistent with high spin complexes. CEST peaks ranging from 60 ppm to 70 ppm, attributed to NH groups of the amide pendents, were identified. Variable-temperature 17O NMR spectra of Co(II) and Fe(II) NODA complexes were consistent with rapid exchange of the water ligand with bulk water. Notably, the Co(II) and Fe(II) complexes presented here produced substantial paramagnetic shifts of bulk water 1H resonances, independent of having an inner-sphere water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Bond
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Gregory E Sokolow
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Matthew R Crawley
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Patrick J Burns
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Jordan M Cox
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Ramasamy Mayilmurugan
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Janet R Morrow
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Amherst , New York 14260 , United States
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Ferrauto G, Delli Castelli D, Leone L, Botta M, Aime S, Baranyai Z, Tei L. Modifying LnHPDO3A Chelates for Improved
T
1
and CEST MRI Applications. Chemistry 2019; 25:4184-4193. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201806023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Imaging CentreUniversity of Torino via Nizza 52 10125 Torino Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Imaging CentreUniversity of Torino via Nizza 52 10125 Torino Italy
| | - Loredana Leone
- Department of Sciences and Technological InnovationUniversity of Eastern Piedmont viale T. Michel 11 50121 Alessandria Italy
| | - Mauro Botta
- Department of Sciences and Technological InnovationUniversity of Eastern Piedmont viale T. Michel 11 50121 Alessandria Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Imaging CentreUniversity of Torino via Nizza 52 10125 Torino Italy
| | - Zsolt Baranyai
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 10010 H-4032 Hungary
- Bracco Research Centre, Bracco Imaging S.p.A. Via Ribes 5 10010 Colleretto Giacosa Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tei
- Department of Sciences and Technological InnovationUniversity of Eastern Piedmont viale T. Michel 11 50121 Alessandria Italy
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11
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Ferrauto G, Beauprez F, Di Gregorio E, Carrera C, Aime S, Terreno E, Delli Castelli D. Development and characterization of lanthanide-HPDO3A-C16-based micelles as CEST-MRI contrast agents. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:5343-5351. [DOI: 10.1039/c8dt04621b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and characterization of a novel HPDO3A-based ligand having a C16 alkyl chain and its Eu3+, Gd3+and Yb3+complexes are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Frederik Beauprez
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Carla Carrera
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Molecular Imaging Center
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
- University of Torino- Via Nizza 52
- 10126 Torino
- Italy
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12
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Kunth M, Lu GJ, Witte C, Shapiro MG, Schröder L. Protein Nanostructures Produce Self-Adjusting Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast through Physical Gas Partitioning. ACS Nano 2018; 12:10939-10948. [PMID: 30204404 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b04222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Signal amplification strategies are critical for overcoming the intrinsically poor sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reporters in noninvasive molecular detection. A mechanism widely used for signal enhancement is chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) of nuclei between a dilute sensing pool and an abundant detection pool. However, the dependence of CEST amplification on the relative size of these spin pools confounds quantitative molecular detection with a larger detection pool typically making saturation transfer less efficient. Here we show that a recently discovered class of genetically encoded nanoscale reporters for 129Xe magnetic resonance overcomes this fundamental limitation through an elastic binding capacity for NMR-active nuclei. This approach pairs high signal amplification from hyperpolarized spins with ideal, self-adjusting saturation transfer behavior as the overall spin ensemble changes in size. These reporters are based on gas vesicles, i.e., microbe-derived, gas-filled protein nanostructures. We show that the xenon fraction that partitions into gas vesicles follows the ideal gas law, allowing the signal transfer under hyperpolarized xenon chemical exchange saturation transfer (Hyper-CEST) imaging to scale linearly with the total xenon ensemble. This conceptually distinct elastic response allows the production of quantitative signal contrast that is robust to variability in the concentration of xenon, enabling virtually unlimited improvement in absolute contrast with increased xenon delivery, and establishing a unique principle of operation for contrast agent development in emerging biochemical and in vivo applications of hyperpolarized NMR and magnetic resonance imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kunth
- California Institute of Technology , Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmarkologie (FMP) , 13125 Berlin , Germany
| | - George J Lu
- California Institute of Technology , Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - Christopher Witte
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmarkologie (FMP) , 13125 Berlin , Germany
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- California Institute of Technology , Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - Leif Schröder
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmarkologie (FMP) , 13125 Berlin , Germany
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE Magnetic resonance imaging has been used extensively to track in vivo implanted cells that have been previously labeled with relaxation enhancers. However, this approach is not suitable to track multiple cell populations, as it may lead to confounding results in case the contrast agent is released from the labeled cells. This paper demonstrates how the use of CEST agents can overcome these issues. After encapsulating paramagnetic lanthanide shift reagents, we may shift the absorption frequency of the intracellular water resonance (δIn ), thus generating frequency-encoding CEST responsive cells that can be visualized in the MR image by applying the proper RF irradiation. METHODS Eu-HPDO3A, Dy-HPDO3A, and Tm-HPDO3A were used as shift reagents for labeling murine breast cancer cells and murine macrophages by hypotonic swelling and pinocytosis. The CEST-MR images were acquired at 7 T, and the saturation transfer effect was measured. Samples at different dilution of cells were analyzed to quantify the detection threshold. In vitro experiments of cell proliferation were carried out. Finally, murine breast cancer cells were injected subcutaneously in mice, and MR images were acquired to assess the proliferation index in vivo. RESULTS It was found that entrapment of the paramagnetic complexes into endosomes (i.e., using the pinocytosis route) leads to an enhanced shift of the intracellular water resonance. δIn appears to be proportional to the effective magnetic moment (μeff ) and to the concentration of the loaded lanthanide complex. Moreover, a higher shift is present when the complexes are entrapped in the endosomes. The cell proliferation index was assessed both in vitro and in vivo by evaluating the reduction of δIn value in the days after the cell labeling. CONCLUSION Cells can be visualized by CEST MRI after loading with paramagnetic shift reagent, by exploiting the large ensemble of the properly shifted intracellular water molecules. A better performance is obtained when the complexes are entrapped inside the endosomes. The observed (δIn ) value is strongly correlated to the chemical nature of the probe, and to its concentration and cellular localization. Two applications of this method are reported in this paper: (1) for in vivo cell visualization and (2) for the monitoring of the cellular proliferation process, as this method is accompanied by a change in δIn that may be exploited as a longitudinal reporter of the proliferation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
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14
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Ferrauto G, Di Gregorio E, Ruzza M, Catanzaro V, Padovan S, Aime S. Enzyme-Responsive LipoCEST Agents: Assessment of MMP-2 Activity by Measuring the Intra-liposomal Water 1
H NMR Shift. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201706271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Marta Ruzza
- Bioindustry Park “Silvano Fumero”; Colleretto Giacosa Torino Italy
| | - Valeria Catanzaro
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Sergio Padovan
- Institutes for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR) c/o; Molecular Biotechnology Center; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
- Institutes for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR) c/o; Molecular Biotechnology Center; Via Nizza 52 10126 Torino Italy
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15
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Ferrauto G, Di Gregorio E, Ruzza M, Catanzaro V, Padovan S, Aime S. Enzyme-Responsive LipoCEST Agents: Assessment of MMP-2 Activity by Measuring the Intra-liposomal Water 1 H NMR Shift. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:12170-12173. [PMID: 28746744 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201706271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mobile proton-containing solutes can be detected by MRI by the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) method. CEST sensitivity is dramatically enhanced by using, as exchanging protons, the water molecules confined inside liposomes, shifted by a paramagnetic shift reagent. The chemical shift of the intraliposomal water resonance (δIL ) is affected by the overall shape of the supramolecular system. δIL of a spherical LipoCEST acts as a sensitive reporter of the distribution of streptavidin proteins anchored at the liposome surface by biotinylated phospholipids. This finding prompted the design of a MMP-2 responsive LipoCEST agent as the streptavidin moieties can be released from the liposome surfaces when a properly tailored enzyme-cleavable peptide is inserted on the phospholipids before the terminal biotin residues. δIL reports on the overall changes in the supramolecular architecture associated to the cleavage carried out by MMP-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Ruzza
- Bioindustry Park "Silvano Fumero", Colleretto Giacosa, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Catanzaro
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Sergio Padovan
- Institutes for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR) c/o, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Institutes for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR) c/o, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
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16
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Nguyen HVT, Chen Q, Paletta JT, Harvey P, Jiang Y, Zhang H, Boska MD, Ottaviani MF, Jasanoff A, Rajca A, Johnson JA. Nitroxide-Based Macromolecular Contrast Agents with Unprecedented Transverse Relaxivity and Stability for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors. ACS Cent Sci 2017; 3:800-811. [PMID: 28776023 PMCID: PMC5532724 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.7b00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Metal-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents could overcome the established toxicity associated with metal-based agents in some patient populations and enable new modes of functional MRI in vivo. Herein, we report nitroxide-functionalized brush-arm star polymer organic radical contrast agents (BASP-ORCAs) that overcome the low contrast and poor in vivo stability associated with nitroxide-based MRI contrast agents. As a consequence of their unique nanoarchitectures, BASP-ORCAs possess per-nitroxide transverse relaxivities up to ∼44-fold greater than common nitroxides, exceptional stability in highly reducing environments, and low toxicity. These features combine to provide for accumulation of a sufficient concentration of BASP-ORCA in murine subcutaneous tumors up to 20 h following systemic administration such that MRI contrast on par with metal-based agents is observed. BASP-ORCAs are, to our knowledge, the first nitroxide MRI contrast agents capable of tumor imaging over long time periods using clinical high-field 1H MRI techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung V.-T. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Qixian Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Joseph T. Paletta
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Peter Harvey
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yivan Jiang
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Michael D. Boska
- Department
of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical
Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United
States
| | | | - Alan Jasanoff
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Andrzej Rajca
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Jeremiah A. Johnson
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biological Engineering, Department of Brain
and Cognitive Sciences, and Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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17
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Piontek A, Witte C, May Rose H, Eichner M, Protze J, Krause G, Piontek J, Schröder L. A cCPE-based xenon biosensor for magnetic resonance imaging of claudin-expressing cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017. [PMID: 28636798 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The majority of malignant tumors originate from epithelial cells, and many of them are characterized by an overexpression of claudins (Cldns) and their mislocalization out of tight junctions. We utilized the C-terminal claudin-binding domain of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (cCPE), with its high affinity to specific members of the claudin family, as the targeting unit for a claudin-sensitive cancer biosensor. To overcome the poor sensitivity of conventional relaxivity-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, we utilized the superior sensitivity of xenon Hyper-CEST biosensors. We labeled cCPE for both xenon MRI and fluorescence detection. As one readout module, we employed a cryptophane (CrA) monoacid and, as the second, a fluorescein molecule. Both were conjugated separately to a biotin molecule via a polyethyleneglycol chemical spacer and later via avidin linked to GST-cCPE. Nontransfected HEK293 cells and HEK293 cells stably expressing Cldn4-FLAG were incubated with the cCPE-based biosensor. Fluorescence-based flow cytometry and xenon MRI demonstrated binding of the biosensor specifically to Cldn4-expressing cells. This study provides proof of concept for the use of cCPE as a carrier for diagnostic contrast agents, a novel approach for potential detection of Cldn3/-4-overexpressing tumors for noninvasive early cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piontek
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Structural Bioinformatics and Protein Design, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christopher Witte
- Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Molecular Imaging, Berlin, Germany
| | - Honor May Rose
- Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Molecular Imaging, Berlin, Germany
| | - Miriam Eichner
- Institute of Clinical Physiology Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonas Protze
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Structural Bioinformatics and Protein Design, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerd Krause
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Structural Bioinformatics and Protein Design, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Piontek
- Institute of Clinical Physiology Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leif Schröder
- Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Molecular Imaging, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Castro G, Regueiro-Figueroa M, Esteban-Gómez D, Pérez-Lourido P, Platas-Iglesias C, Valencia L. Magnetic Anisotropies in Rhombic Lanthanide(III) Complexes Do Not Conform to Bleaney’s Theory. Inorg Chem 2016; 55:3490-7. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Goretti Castro
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica,
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Pontevedra, Marcosende 36310, Spain
| | - Martín Regueiro-Figueroa
- Centro
de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) and Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira-Rúa da Fraga 10, 15008 A Coruña, Spain
| | - David Esteban-Gómez
- Centro
de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) and Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira-Rúa da Fraga 10, 15008 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Paulo Pérez-Lourido
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica,
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Pontevedra, Marcosende 36310, Spain
| | - Carlos Platas-Iglesias
- Centro
de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) and Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira-Rúa da Fraga 10, 15008 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Laura Valencia
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica,
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Pontevedra, Marcosende 36310, Spain
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19
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Ferrauto G, Delli Castelli D, Di Gregorio E, Terreno E, Aime S. LipoCEST and cellCEST imaging agents: opportunities and challenges. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016; 8:602-18. [PMID: 26810631 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
From the early days of CEST agents' disclosure, it was evident that their potential for in vivo applications was strongly hampered by the intrinsic low sensitivity. Therefore, much work has been devoted to seek out suitable routes to achieve strong CEST contrast enhancement. The use of nanosized systems turned out to be a strategic choice, because a very large amount of CEST agents can be delivered at the site of interest. However, the breakthrough innovation in term of increase of sensitivity was found by designing the lipoCEST agents. The naturally inspired, liposomes vesicles, when loaded with paramagnetic lanthanide-based shift reagents, can be transformed into CEST probes. The large number of water molecules entrapped inside the inner cavity of the nanovesicles represents an enormous pool of exchanging protons for the generation of CEST contrast, whereas the presence of the shift reagent increases the separation in chemical shift of their nuclear magnetic resonance signal from that of the bulk water, thus allowing for a proper exchange regime for the activation of CEST contrast. From lipoCEST, it has been rather straightforward to evolve to cellCEST in order to exploit the cytoplasmatic water molecules as source of the CEST effect, once cells have been loaded with the proper shift reagent. The red blood cells were found to be particularly suitable for the development of the cellCEST concept. Finally, an understanding of the main determinants of the CEST effects in nanosized and cellular-sized agents has allowed the design of innovative lipoCEST/RBC aggregates for potential theranostic applications. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:602-618. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1385 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Delli Castelli
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.,IBB-CNR-UOS, University of Torino (IT), Turin, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular & Preclinical Imaging Centers, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.,IBB-CNR-UOS, University of Torino (IT), Turin, Italy
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