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Li D, Kirberger M, Qiao J, Gui Z, Xue S, Pu F, Jiang J, Xu Y, Tan S, Salarian M, Ibhagui O, Hekmatyar K, Yang JJ. Protein MRI Contrast Agents as an Effective Approach for Precision Molecular Imaging. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:170-186. [PMID: 38180819 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cancer and other acute and chronic diseases are results of perturbations of common molecular determinants in key biological and signaling processes. Imaging is critical for characterizing dynamic changes in tumors and metastases, the tumor microenvironment, tumor-stroma interactions, and drug targets, at multiscale levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged to be a primary imaging modality for both clinical and preclinical applications due to its advantages over other modalities, including sensitivity to soft tissues, nondepth limitations, and the use of nonionizing radiation. However, extending the application of MRI to achieve both qualitative and quantitative precise molecular imaging with the capability to quantify molecular biomarkers for early detection, staging, and monitoring therapeutic treatment requires the capacity to overcome several major challenges including the trade-off between metal-binding affinity and relaxivity, which is an issue frequently associated with small chelator contrast agents. In this review, we will introduce the criteria of ideal contrast agents for precision molecular imaging and discuss the relaxivity of current contrast agents with defined first shell coordination water molecules. We will then report our advances in creating a new class of protein-targeted MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) with contributions to relaxivity largely derived from the secondary sphere and correlation time. We will summarize our rationale, design strategy, and approaches to the development and optimization of our pioneering ProCAs with desired high relaxivity, metal stability, and molecular biomarker-targeting capability, for precision MRI. From first generation (ProCA1) to third generation (ProCA32), we have achieved dual high r1 and r2 values that are 6- to 10-fold higher than clinically approved contrast agents at magnetic fields of 1.5 T, and their relaxivity values at high field are also significantly higher, which enables high resolution during small animal imaging. Further engineering of multiple targeting moieties enables ProCA32 agents that have strong biomarker-binding affinity and specificity for an array of key molecular biomarkers associated with various chronic diseases, while maintaining relaxation and exceptional metal-binding and selectivity, serum stability, and resistance to transmetallation, which are critical in mitigating risks associated with metal toxicity. Our leading product ProCA32.collagen has enabled the first early detection of liver metastasis from multiple cancers at early stages by mapping the tumor environment and early stage of fibrosis from liver and lung in vivo, with strong translational potential to extend to precision MRI for preclinical and clinical applications for precision diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjun Li
- From the Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (D.L., M.K., J.Q., Z.G., S.X., P.F., J.J., S.T., M.S., O.I., K.H., J.J.Y.); and InLighta BioSciences, LLC, Marietta, GA (Y.X., J.J.Y)
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2
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Ibhagui O, Li D, Han H, Peng G, Meister ML, Gui Z, Qiao J, Salarian M, Dong B, Yuan Y, Xu Y, Yang H, Tan S, Satyanarayana G, Xue S, Turaga RC, Sharma M, Hai Y, Meng Y, Hekmatyar K, Sun P, Sica G, Ji X, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. Early Detection and Staging of Lung Fibrosis Enabled by Collagen-Targeted MRI Protein Contrast Agent. Chem Biomed Imaging 2023; 1:268-285. [PMID: 37388961 PMCID: PMC10302889 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00023] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are major leading causes of death worldwide and are generally associated with poor prognoses. The heterogeneous distribution of collagen, mainly type I collagen associated with excessive collagen deposition, plays a pivotal role in the progressive remodeling of the lung parenchyma to chronic exertional dyspnea for both IPF and COPD. To address the pressing need for noninvasive early diagnosis and drug treatment monitoring of pulmonary fibrosis, we report the development of human collagen-targeted protein MRI contrast agent (hProCA32.collagen) to specifically bind to collagen I overexpressed in multiple lung diseases. When compared to clinically approved Gd3+ contrast agents, hProCA32.collagen exhibits significantly better r1 and r2 relaxivity values, strong metal binding affinity and selectivity, and transmetalation resistance. Here, we report the robust detection of early and late-stage lung fibrosis with stage-dependent MRI signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increase, with good sensitivity and specificity, using a progressive bleomycin-induced IPF mouse model. Spatial heterogeneous mapping of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns with key features closely mimicking human IPF, including cystic clustering, honeycombing, and traction bronchiectasis, were noninvasively detected by multiple MR imaging techniques and verified by histological correlation. We further report the detection of fibrosis in the lung airway of an electronic cigarette-induced COPD mouse model, using hProCA32.collagen-enabled precision MRI (pMRI), and validated by histological analysis. The developed hProCA32.collagen is expected to have strong translational potential for the noninvasive detection and staging of lung diseases, and facilitating effective treatment to halt further chronic lung disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin
Y. Ibhagui
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Dongjun Li
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Hongwei Han
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Guangda Peng
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Maureen L. Meister
- Department
of Nutrition, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Zongxiang Gui
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Jingjuan Qiao
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
- InLighta
Biosciences, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Mani Salarian
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Bin Dong
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Yi Yuan
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Yiting Xu
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Hua Yang
- Department
of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Shanshan Tan
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Ganesh Satyanarayana
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Shenghui Xue
- InLighta
Biosciences, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Ravi Chakra Turaga
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Malvika Sharma
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Yan Hai
- Department
of Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Yuguang Meng
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
- Emory
National Primate Research Center, Emory
University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Phillip Sun
- Emory
National Primate Research Center, Emory
University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - Gabriel Sica
- Winship
Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Xiangming Ji
- Department
of Biology, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Zhi-ren Liu
- Department
of Nutrition, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Jenny J. Yang
- Department
of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational
Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
- InLighta
Biosciences, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
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Salarian M, Ghim M, Toczek J, Han J, Weiss D, Spronck B, Ramachandra AB, Jung JJ, Kukreja G, Zhang J, Lakheram D, Kim SK, Humphrey JD, Sadeghi MM. Homeostatic, Non-Canonical Role of Macrophage Elastase in Vascular Integrity. Circ Res 2023; 132:432-448. [PMID: 36691905 PMCID: PMC9930896 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.322096] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 is highly expressed in abdominal aortic aneurysms and its elastolytic function has been implicated in the pathogenesis. This concept is challenged, however, by conflicting data. Here, we sought to revisit the role of MMP-12 in abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHODS Apoe-/- and Mmp12-/-/Apoe-/- mice were infused with Ang II (angiotensin). Expression of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) markers and complement component 3 (C3) levels were evaluated by immunostaining in aortas of surviving animals. Plasma complement components were analyzed by immunoassay. The effects of a complement inhibitor, IgG-FH1-5 (factor H-immunoglobulin G), and macrophage-specific MMP-12 deficiency on adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused mice were determined. RESULTS Unexpectedly, death from aortic rupture was significantly higher in Mmp12-/-/Apoe-/- mice. This associated with more neutrophils, citrullinated histone H3 and neutrophil elastase, markers of NETs, and C3 levels in Mmp12-/- aortas. These findings were recapitulated in additional models of abdominal aortic aneurysm. MMP-12 deficiency also led to more pronounced elastic laminae degradation and reduced collagen integrity. Higher plasma C5a in Mmp12-/- mice pointed to complement overactivation. Treatment with IgG-FH1-5 decreased aortic wall NETosis and reduced adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused Mmp12-/- mice. Finally, macrophage-specific MMP-12 deficiency recapitulated the effects of global MMP-12 deficiency on complement deposition and NETosis, as well as adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused mice. CONCLUSIONS An MMP-12 deficiency/complement activation/NETosis pathway compromises aortic integrity, which predisposes to adverse vascular remodeling and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Considering these new findings, the role of macrophage MMP-12 in vascular homeostasis demands re-evaluation of MMP-12 function in diverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Mean Ghim
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jakub Toczek
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jinah Han
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Bart Spronck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Abhay B. Ramachandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Jae-Joon Jung
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | | | - Sung-Kwon Kim
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, CT (D.L., S.-K.K.)
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (J.D.H.)
| | - Mehran M. Sadeghi
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
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4
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Toczek J, Gona K, Liu Y, Ahmad A, Ghim M, Ojha D, Kukreja G, Salarian M, Luehmann H, Heo GS, Guzman RJ, Ochoa Chaar CI, Tellides G, Hassab AH, Ye Y, Shoghi KI, Zayed MA, Gropler RJ, Sadeghi MM. Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Vessel Wall Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 16:e014615. [PMID: 36649454 PMCID: PMC9858355 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.122.014615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Imaging aortic MMP activity, especially using positron emission tomography to access high sensitivity, quantitative data, could potentially improve AAA risk stratification. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation in murine AAA and human aortic tissue of a first-in-class MMP-targeted positron emission tomography radioligand, 64Cu-RYM2. METHODS The broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, RYM2 was synthetized, and its potency as an MMP inhibitor was evaluated by a competitive inhibition assay. Toxicology studies were performed. Tracer biodistribution was evaluated in a murine model of AAA induced by angiotensin II infusion in Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. 64Cu-RYM2 binding to normal and aneurysmal human aortic tissues was assessed by autoradiography. RESULTS RYM2 functioned as an MMP inhibitor with nanomolar affinities. Toxicology studies showed no adverse reaction in mice. Upon radiolabeling with Cu-64, the resulting tracer was stable in murine and human blood in vitro. Biodistribution and metabolite analysis in mice showed rapid renal clearance and acceptable in vivo stability. In vivo positron emission tomography/computed tomography in a murine model of AAA showed a specific aortic signal, which correlated with ex vivo measured MMP activity and Cd68 gene expression. 64Cu-RYM2 specifically bound to normal and aneurysmal human aortic tissues in correlation with MMP activity. CONCLUSIONS 64Cu-RYM2 is a first-in-class MMP-targeted positron emission tomography tracer with favorable stability, biodistribution, performance in preclinical AAA, and importantly, specific binding to human tissues. These data set the stage for 64Cu-RYM2-based translational imaging studies of vessel wall MMP activity, and indirectly, inflammation, in AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Toczek
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Kiran Gona
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Yongjian Liu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (USA)
| | - Azmi Ahmad
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Mean Ghim
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Devi Ojha
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Mani Salarian
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Hannah Luehmann
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (USA)
| | - Gyu Seong Heo
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (USA)
| | - Raul J. Guzman
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Cassius I. Ochoa Chaar
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
| | - George Tellides
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
| | | | - Yunpeng Ye
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | | | - Mohamed A. Zayed
- Department of Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (USA)
| | | | - Mehran M. Sadeghi
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
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5
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Salarian M. The promise of hypericin: a tracer for acute myocardial infarction. J Nucl Cardiol 2022; 29:3440-3442. [PMID: 35610539 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-022-03004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite 770G, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
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6
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Jung JJ, Ahmad AA, Rajendran S, Wei L, Zhang J, Toczek J, Nie L, Kukreja G, Salarian M, Gona K, Ghim M, Chakraborty R, Martin KA, Tellides G, Heistad D, Sadeghi MM. Differential BMP Signaling Mediates the Interplay Between Genetics and Leaflet Numbers in Aortic Valve Calcification. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2022; 7:333-345. [PMID: 35540096 PMCID: PMC9079798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Expression of a neuropilin-like protein, DCBLD2, is reduced in human calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). DCBLD2-deficient mice develop bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and CAVD, which is more severe in BAV mice compared with tricuspid littermates. In vivo and in vitro studies link this observation to up-regulated bone morphogenic protein (BMP)2 expression in the presence of DCBLD2 down-regulation, and enhanced BMP2 signaling in BAV, indicating that a combination of genetics and BAV promotes aortic valve calcification and stenosis. This pathway may be a therapeutic target to prevent CAVD progression in BAV.
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Key Words
- BAV, bicuspid aortic valve
- BMP, bone morphogenic protein
- CAVD, calcific aortic valve disease
- DCBLD2, discoidin, CUB and LCCL domain containing 2
- EC, endothelial cell
- RT-PCR, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction
- SMAD, homolog of Caenorhabditis elegans Sma and the Drosophila mad, mothers against decapentaplegic
- TAV, tricuspid aortic valve
- VIC, valvular interstitial cell
- WT, wild type
- aortic stenosis
- aortic valve
- bicuspid aortic valve
- calcification
- mouse models
- pVIC, porcine valvular interstitial cell
- siRNA, small interfering RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Joon Jung
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Azmi A. Ahmad
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Saranya Rajendran
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Linyan Wei
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jakub Toczek
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lei Nie
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mani Salarian
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kiran Gona
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mean Ghim
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Martin
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - George Tellides
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Donald Heistad
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Mehran M. Sadeghi
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Address for correspondence: Dr Mehran M. Sadeghi, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Room 770G, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.
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7
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Toczek J, Boodagh P, Sanzida N, Ghim M, Salarian M, Gona K, Kukreja G, Rajendran S, Wei L, Han J, Zhang J, Jung JJ, Graham M, Liu X, Sadeghi MM. Computed tomography imaging of macrophage phagocytic activity in abdominal aortic aneurysm. Theranostics 2021; 11:5876-5888. [PMID: 33897887 PMCID: PMC8058712 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of several vascular pathologies, including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Evaluating the role of inflammation in AAA pathobiology and potentially outcome in vivo requires non-invasive tools for high-resolution imaging. We investigated the feasibility of X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging of phagocytic activity using nanoparticle contrast agents to predict AAA outcome. Methods: Uptake of several nanoparticle CT contrast agents was evaluated in a macrophage cell line. The most promising agent, Exitron nano 12000, was further characterized in vitro and used for subsequent in vivo testing. AAA was induced in Apoe-/- mice through angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for up to 4 weeks. Nanoparticle biodistribution and uptake in AAA were evaluated by CT imaging in Ang II-infused Apoe-/- mice. After imaging, the aortic tissue was harvested and used from morphometry, transmission electron microscopy and gene expression analysis. A group of Ang II-infused Apoe-/- mice underwent nanoparticle-enhanced CT imaging within the first week of Ang II infusion, and their survival and aortic external diameter were evaluated at 4 weeks to address the value of vessel wall CT enhancement in predicting AAA outcome. Results: Exitron nano 12000 showed specific uptake in macrophages in vitro. Nanoparticle accumulation was observed by CT imaging in tissues rich in mononuclear phagocytes. Aortic wall enhancement was detectable on delayed CT images following nanoparticle administration and correlated with vessel wall CD68 expression. Transmission electron microscopy ascertained the presence of nanoparticles in AAA adventitial macrophages. Nanoparticle-induced CT enhancement on images obtained within one week of AAA induction was predictive of AAA outcome at 4 weeks. Conclusions: By establishing the feasibility of CT-based molecular imaging of phagocytic activity in AAA, this study links the inflammatory signal on early time point images to AAA evolution. This readily available technology overcomes an important barrier to cross-sectional, longitudinal and outcome studies, not only in AAA, but also in other cardiovascular pathologies and facilitates the evaluation of modulatory interventions, and ultimately upon clinical translation, patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Toczek
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Parnaz Boodagh
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Nowshin Sanzida
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Mean Ghim
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Mani Salarian
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Kiran Gona
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Saranya Rajendran
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Linyan Wei
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Jinah Han
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Jae-Joon Jung
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Morven Graham
- CCMI Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Xinran Liu
- CCMI Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
| | - Mehran M. Sadeghi
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (USA)
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8
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Gona K, Toczek J, Ye Y, Sanzida N, Golbazi A, Boodagh P, Salarian M, Jung JJ, Rajendran S, Kukreja G, Wu TL, Devel L, Sadeghi MM. Hydroxamate-Based Selective Macrophage Elastase (MMP-12) Inhibitors and Radiotracers for Molecular Imaging. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15037-15049. [PMID: 33206510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Macrophage elastase [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12] is the most upregulated MMP in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and, hence, MMP-12-targeted imaging may predict AAA progression and rupture risk. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of three novel hydroxamate-based selective MMP-12 inhibitors (CGA, CGA-1, and AGA) and the methodology to obtain MMP-12 selectivity from hydroxamate-based panMMP inhibitors. Also, we report two 99mTc-radiotracers, 99mTc-AGA-1 and 99mTc-AGA-2, derived from AGA. 99mTc-AGA-2 displayed faster blood clearance in mice and better radiochemical stability compared to 99mTc-AGA-1. Based on this, 99mTc-AGA-2 was chosen as the lead tracer and tested in murine AAA. 99mTc-AGA-2 uptake detected by autoradiography was significantly higher in AAA compared to normal aortic regions. Specific binding of the tracer to MMP-12 was demonstrated through ex vivo competition. Accordingly, this study introduces a novel family of selective MMP-12 inhibitors and tracers, paving the way for further development of these agents as therapeutic and imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Gona
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Jakub Toczek
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Yunpeng Ye
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Nowshin Sanzida
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Arvene Golbazi
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Parnaz Boodagh
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Mani Salarian
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Jae-Joon Jung
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Saranya Rajendran
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Terence L Wu
- Yale West Campus Analytical Core, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Laurent Devel
- CEA, INRAE, Medicaments et Technologies pour la Sante (MTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mehran M Sadeghi
- Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
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9
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Salarian M, Ibhagui OY, Yang JJ. Molecular imaging of extracellular matrix proteins with targeted probes using magnetic resonance imaging. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2020; 12:e1622. [PMID: 32126587 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of proteins and carbohydrates that supports different biological structures and processes such as tissue development, elasticity, and preservation of organ structure. Diseases involving inflammation, fibrosis, tumor invasion, and injury are all attributed to the transition of the ECM from homeostasis to remodeling, which can significantly change the biochemical and biomechanical features of ECM components. While contrast agents have played an indispensable role in facilitating clinical diagnosis of diseases using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there is a strong need to develop novel biomarker-targeted imaging probes for in vivo visualization of biological processes and pathological alterations at a cellular and molecular level, for both early diagnosis and monitoring drug treatment. Herein, we will first review the pathological accumulation and characterization of ECM proteins recognized as important molecular features of diseases. Developments in MRI probes targeting ECM proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and elastin via conjugation of existing contrast agents to targeting moieties and their applications to various diseases, are also reviewed. We have also reviewed our progress in the development of collagen-targeted protein MRI contrast agent with significant improvement in relaxivity and metal binding specificity, and their applications in early detection of fibrosis and metastatic cancer. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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10
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Tan S, Yang H, Xue S, Qiao J, Salarian M, Hekmatyar K, Meng Y, Mukkavilli R, Pu F, Odubade OY, Harris W, Hai Y, Yushak ML, Morales-Tirado VM, Mittal P, Sun PZ, Lawson D, Grossniklaus HE, Yang JJ. Chemokine receptor 4 targeted protein MRI contrast agent for early detection of liver metastases. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaav7504. [PMID: 32083172 PMCID: PMC7007242 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav7504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Liver metastases often progress from primary cancers including uveal melanoma (UM), breast, and colon cancer. Molecular biomarker imaging is a new non-invasive approach for detecting early stage tumors. Here, we report the elevated expression of chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in liver metastases in UM patients and metastatic UM mouse models, and development of a CXCR4-targeted MRI contrast agent, ProCA32.CXCR4, for sensitive MRI detection of UM liver metastases. ProCA32.CXCR4 exhibits high relaxivities (r 1 = 30.9 mM-1 s-1, r 2 = 43.2 mM-1 s-1, 1.5 T; r 1 = 23.5 mM-1 s-1, r 2 = 98.6 mM-1 s-1, 7.0 T), strong CXCR4 binding (K d = 1.10 ± 0.18 μM), CXCR4 molecular imaging capability in metastatic and intrahepatic xenotransplantation UM mouse models. ProCA32.CXCR4 enables detecting UM liver metastases as small as 0.1 mm3. Further development of the CXCR4-targeted imaging agent should have strong translation potential for early detection, surveillance, and treatment stratification of liver metastases patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shenghui Xue
- InLighta Biosciences LLC, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jingjuan Qiao
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Bioimaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Yuguang Meng
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Rao Mukkavilli
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Fan Pu
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | | | - Wayne Harris
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yan Hai
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Melinda L. Yushak
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Pardeep Mittal
- Department of Radiology and Imaging, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Phillip Z. Sun
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - David Lawson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Jenny J. Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Corresponding author.
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11
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Salarian M, Yang H, Turaga RC, Tan S, Qiao J, Xue S, Gui Z, Peng G, Han H, Mittal P, Grossniklaus HE, Yang JJ. Precision detection of liver metastasis by collagen-targeted protein MRI contrast agent. Biomaterials 2019; 224:119478. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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12
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Salarian M, Turaga RC, Xue S, Nezafati M, Hekmatyar K, Qiao J, Zhang Y, Tan S, Ibhagui OY, Hai Y, Li J, Mukkavilli R, Sharma M, Mittal P, Min X, Keilholz S, Yu L, Qin G, Farris AB, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. Early detection and staging of chronic liver diseases with a protein MRI contrast agent. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4777. [PMID: 31664017 PMCID: PMC6820552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11984-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis and noninvasive detection of liver fibrosis and its heterogeneity remain as major unmet medical needs for stopping further disease progression toward severe clinical consequences. Here we report a collagen type I targeting protein-based contrast agent (ProCA32.collagen1) with strong collagen I affinity. ProCA32.collagen1 possesses high relaxivities per particle (r1 and r2) at both 1.4 and 7.0 T, which enables the robust detection of early-stage (Ishak stage 3 of 6) liver fibrosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (Ishak stage 1 of 6 or 1 A Mild) in animal models via dual contrast modes. ProCA32.collagen1 also demonstrates vasculature changes associated with intrahepatic angiogenesis and portal hypertension during late-stage fibrosis, and heterogeneity via serial molecular imaging. ProCA32.collagen1 mitigates metal toxicity due to lower dosage and strong resistance to transmetallation and unprecedented metal selectivity for Gd3+ over physiological metal ions with strong translational potential in facilitating effective treatment to halt further chronic liver disease progression. Non-invasive early diagnosis of liver fibrosis is important to prevent disease progression and direct treatment strategies. Here the authors developed a collagen-targeting contrast agent for the detection of early stage fibrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by magnetic resonance and tested it in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ravi Chakra Turaga
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Shenghui Xue
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Maysam Nezafati
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Bioimaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jingjuan Qiao
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Yinwei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Shanshan Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | | | - Yan Hai
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Jibiao Li
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Rao Mukkavilli
- Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Malvika Sharma
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Pardeep Mittal
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
| | - Xiaoyi Min
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Shella Keilholz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Liqing Yu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Gengshen Qin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Alton Brad Farris
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA. .,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.M.S.).,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven (M.S., M.M.S.)
| | - Mehran M Sadeghi
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.M.S.).,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven (M.S., M.M.S.)
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14
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Abstract
Early diagnosis, noninvasive detection, and staging of various diseases, remain one of the major clinical barriers to effective medical treatment and prevention of disease progression toward major clinical consequences. Molecular imaging technologies play an indispensable role in the clinical field in overcoming these major barriers. The increasing application of imaging techniques and agents in early detection of different diseases such as cancer has resulted in improved treatment response and clinical patient management. In this chapter we will first introduce criteria for the design and engineering of calcium-binding protein (CaBP) parvalbumin as a protein Gd-MRI contrast agent (ProCA) with unprecedented metal selectivity for Gd3+ over physiological metal ions. We will then discuss the further development of targeted MRI contrast agent for molecular imaging of PSMA biomarker for early detection of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shenghui Xue
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Inlighta Biosciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Oluwatosin Y Ibhagui
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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15
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Pu F, Salarian M, Xue S, Qiao J, Feng J, Tan S, Patel A, Li X, Mamouni K, Hekmatyar K, Zou J, Wu D, Yang JJ. Prostate-specific membrane antigen targeted protein contrast agents for molecular imaging of prostate cancer by MRI. Nanoscale 2016; 8:12668-82. [PMID: 26961235 PMCID: PMC5528195 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr09071g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is one of the most specific cell surface markers for prostate cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment. However, achieving molecular imaging using non-invasive MRI with high resolution has yet to be achieved due to the lack of contrast agents with significantly improved relaxivity for sensitivity, targeting capabilities and metal selectivity. We have previously reported our creation of a novel class of protein Gd(3+) contrast agents, ProCA32, which displayed significantly improved relaxivity while exhibiting strong Gd(3+) binding selectivity over physiological metal ions. In this study, we report our effort in further developing biomarker-targeted protein MRI contrast agents for molecular imaging of PSMA. Among three PSMA targeted contrast agents engineered with addition of different molecular recognition sequences, ProCA32.PSMA exhibits a binding affinity of 1.1 ± 0.1 μM for PSMA while the metal binding affinity is maintained at 0.9 ± 0.1 × 10(-22) M. In addition, ProCA32.PSMA exhibits r1 of 27.6 mM(-1) s(-1) and r2 of 37.9 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (55.2 and 75.8 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule r1 and r2, respectively) at 1.4 T. At 7 T, ProCA32.PSMA also has r2 of 94.0 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (188.0 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule) and r1 of 18.6 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (37.2 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule). This contrast capability enables the first MRI enhancement dependent on PSMA expression levels in tumor bearing mice using both T1 and T2-weighted MRI at 7 T. Further development of these PSMA-targeted contrast agents are expected to be used for the precision imaging of prostate cancer at an early stage and to monitor disease progression and staging, as well as determine the effect of therapeutic treatment by non-invasive evaluation of the PSMA level using MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Pu
- Departments of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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16
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Pu F, Qiao J, Xue S, Yang H, Patel A, Wei L, Hekmatyar K, Salarian M, Grossniklaus HE, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. GRPR-targeted Protein Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Receptor Expression in Cancers by MRI. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16214. [PMID: 26577829 PMCID: PMC4649707 DOI: 10.1038/srep16214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is differentially expressed on the surfaces of various diseased cells, including prostate and lung cancer. However, monitoring temporal and spatial expression of GRPR in vivo by clinical MRI is severely hampered by the lack of contrast agents with high relaxivity, targeting capability and tumor penetration. Here, we report the development of a GRPR-targeted MRI contrast agent by grafting the GRPR targeting moiety into a scaffold protein with a designed Gd3+ binding site (ProCA1.GRPR). In addition to its strong binding affinity for GRPR (Kd = 2.7 nM), ProCA1.GRPR has high relaxivity (r1 = 42.0 mM−1s−1 at 1.5 T and 25 °C) and strong Gd3+ selectivity over physiological metal ions. ProCA1.GRPR enables in vivo detection of GRPR expression and spatial distribution in both PC3 and H441 tumors in mice using MRI. ProCA1.GRPR is expected to have important preclinical and clinical implications for the early detection of cancer and for monitoring treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Pu
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Jingjuan Qiao
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Shenghui Xue
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
| | - Anvi Patel
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Lixia Wei
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Bio-imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602
| | - Mani Salarian
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | | | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics &Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
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17
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Behbahani M, Bide Y, Bagheri S, Salarian M, Omidi F, Nabid MR. A pH responsive nanogel composed of magnetite, silica and poly(4-vinylpyridine) for extraction of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II). Mikrochim Acta 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00604-015-1603-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Behbahani M, Salimi S, Abandansari HS, Omidi F, Salarian M, Esrafili A. Application of a tailor-made polymer as a selective and sensitive colorimetric sensor for reliable detection of trace levels of uranyl ions in complex matrices. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra09221c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a new colorimetric chemosensor based on ion imprinted polymer nanoparticles was designed for quantitative detection of uranyl ions at trace levels in environmental water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Salimi
- Department of Chemistry
- Shahid Beheshti University
- Tehran
- Iran
| | | | - Fariborz Omidi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering
- School of Public Health
- Shahroud University of Medical Sciences
- Shahroud
- Iran
| | - Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry
- Georgia State University
- Atlanta
- USA
| | - Ali Esrafili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
- School of Public Health
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Tehran
- Iran
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Zou J, Salarian M, Chen Y, Veenstra R, Louis CF, Yang JJ. Gap junction regulation by calmodulin. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:1430-8. [PMID: 24440348 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular Ca(2+) activated calmodulin (CaM) inhibits gap junction channels in the low nanomolar to high micromolar range of [Ca(2+)]i. This regulation plays an essential role in numerous cellular processes that include hearing, lens transparency, and synchronized contractions of the heart. Previous studies have indicated that gap junction mediated cell-to-cell communication was inhibited by CaM antagonists. More recent evidence indicates a direct role of CaM in regulating several members of the connexin family. Since the intracellular loop and carboxyl termini of connexins are largely "invisible" in electron microscopy and X-ray crystallographic structures due to disorder in these domains, peptide models encompassing the putative CaM binding sites of several intracellular domains of connexins have been used to identify the Ca(2+)-dependent CaM binding sites of these proteins. This approach has been used to determine the CaM binding affinities of peptides derived from a number of different connexin-subfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zou
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Yanyi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Richard Veenstra
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Charles F Louis
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States.
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States.
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Behbahani M, Bagheri A, Amini MM, Sadeghi O, Salarian M, Najafi F, Taghizadeh M. Application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified by diphenylcarbazide for selective solid phase extraction of ultra traces Cd(II) in water samples and food products. Food Chem 2013; 141:48-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2012] [Revised: 12/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Behbahani M, Abandansari HS, Salarian M, Babapour M, Bagheri A, Nabid MR. Synthesis and application of a thermosensitive tri-block copolymer as an efficient sample treatment technique for preconcentration and ultra-trace detection of lead ions. Mikrochim Acta 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00604-013-1079-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Behbahani M, Najafi F, Bagheri S, Bojdi MK, Salarian M, Bagheri A. Application of surfactant assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction as an efficient sample treatment technique for preconcentration and trace detection of zonisamide and carbamazepine in urine and plasma samples. J Chromatogr A 2013; 1308:25-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Behbahani M, Bagheri A, Taghizadeh M, Salarian M, Sadeghi O, Adlnasab L, Jalali K. Synthesis and characterisation of nano structure lead (II) ion-imprinted polymer as a new sorbent for selective extraction and preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of lead ions from vegetables, rice, and fish samples. Food Chem 2013; 138:2050-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Behbahani M, Babapour M, Amini MM, Sadeghi O, Bagheri A, Salarian M, Rafiee B. Separation/Enrichment of Copper and Silver Using Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Coated with Poly-Thiophene and Their Analysis by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/ajac.2013.42012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Behbahani M, Salarian M, Amini MM, Sadeghi O, Bagheri A, Bagheri S. Application of a New Functionalized Nanoporous Silica for Simultaneous Trace Separation and Determination of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) in Food and Agricultural Products. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-012-9545-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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