Browsing by Author "Pham, TQ"

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    [18F]Fluorination optimisation and the fully automated production of [18F]MEL050 using a microfluidic system
    (CSIRO Publishing, 2014-06-06) Matesic, L; Kallinen, A; Wyatt, NA; Pham, TQ; Greguric, I; Pascali, G
    The [18F]radiolabelling of the melanin-targeting positron-emission tomography radiotracer [18F]MEL050 was rapidly optimised using a commercial continuous-flow microfluidic system. The optimal [18F]fluorination incorporation conditions were then translated to production-scale experiments (35–150 GBq) suitable for preclinical imaging, complete with automated HPLC–solid phase extraction purification and formulation. [18F]MEL050 was obtained in 43 ± 10 % radiochemical yield in ~50 min. © 2015 CSIRO Publishing.
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    The 18 kDa translocator protein, microglia and neuroinflammation
    (Wiley, 2014-10-26) Liu, GJ; Middleton, RJ; Hatty, CR; Kam, WWY; Chan, RHY; Pham, TQ; Harrison-Brown, M; Dodson, E; Veale, K; Banati, RB
    The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is expressed in the injured brain. It has become known as an imaging marker of “neuroinflammation” indicating active disease, and is best interpreted as a nondiagnostic biomarker and disease staging tool that refers to histopathology rather than disease etiology. The therapeutic potential of TSPO as a drug target is mostly based on the understanding that it is an outer mitochondrial membrane protein required for the translocation of cholesterol, which thus regulates the rate of steroid synthesis. This pivotal role together with the evolutionary conservation of TSPO has underpinned the belief that any loss or mutation of TSPO should be associated with significant physiological deficits or be outright incompatible with life. However, against prediction, full Tspo knockout mice are viable and across their lifespan do not show the phenotype expected if cholesterol transport and steroid synthesis were significantly impaired. Thus, the “translocation” function of TSPO remains to be better substantiated. Here, we discuss the literature before and after the introduction of the new nomenclature for TSPO and review some of the newer findings. In light of the controversy surrounding the function of TSPO, we emphasize the continued importance of identifying compounds with confirmed selectivity and suggest that TSPO expression is analyzed within specific disease contexts rather than merely equated with the reified concept of “neuroinflammation.” © 2014 The Authors
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    Ascertaining the suitability of aryl sulfonyl fluorides for [18F]radiochemistry applications: a systematic investigation using microfluidics
    (American Chemical Society, 2013-10-18) Matesic, L; Wyatt, NA; Fraser, BH; Roberts, MP; Pham, TQ; Greguric, I
    Optimization of [18F]radiolabeling conditions and subsequent stability analysis in mobile phase, PBS buffer, and rat serum of 12 aryl sulfonyl chloride precursors with various substituents (electron-withdrawing groups, electron-donating groups, increased steric bulk, heterocyclic) were performed using an Advion NanoTek Microfluidic Synthesis System. A comparison of radiochemical yields and reaction times for a microfluidics device versus a conventional reaction vessel is reported. [18F]Radiolabeling of sulfonyl chlorides in the presence of competing nucleophiles, H-bond donors, and water was also assessed and demonstrated the versatility and potential utility of [18F]sulfonyl fluorides as synthons for indirect radiolabeling. © 2013 American Chemical Society
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    Assessment of neuroinflammation in transferred EAE via a translocator protein ligand
    (IntechOpen, 2012-02-03) Mattner, F; Staykova, M; Callaghan, PD; Berghofer, PJ; Ballantyne, P; Grégoire, MC; Fordham, S; Pham, TQ; Rahardjo, GL; Jackson, TW; Linares, D; Katsifis, A
    Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) (Doorduin et al., 2008). MS has been considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration and myelin destruction (Hauser et al., 1986) and focal demyelinated lesions in the white matter are the traditional hallmarks of MS. However more recent evidence suggests more widespread damage to the brain and spinal cord, to areas of white matter distant from the inflammatory lesions and demyelination of deep and cortical grey matter (McFarland & Martin, 2007). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an extensively used model of T-cell mediated CNS inflammation; modelling disease processes involved in MS. EAE can be induced in several species by immunization with myelin antigens or via adoptive transfer of myelin-reactive T cells. The models of EAE in rodents [actively induced and transferred] provide information about different phases [inflammation, demyelination and remyelination] and types [monophasic, chronic-relapsing and chronic-progressive] of the human disease multiple sclerosis and a vast amount of clinical and histopathologic data has been accumulated through the decades. A key aim of current investigations is developing the ability to recognise the early symptoms of the disease and to follow its course and response to treatment. Molecular imaging is a rapidly evolving field of research that involves the evaluation of biochemical and physiological processes utilising specific, radioactive, fluorescent and magnetic resonance imaging probes. However, it is positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) which, due to their exquisite sensitivity involving specifically designed radiolabelled molecules, that is leading the way in molecular imaging and has greatly enabled the non-invasive “visualisation” of many diseases in both animal models and humans. Furthermore, PET and SPECT molecular imaging are providing invaluable imaging data based on a biochemical-molecular biology interaction rather than from the traditional anatomical view. Increasingly, PET and SPECT radiotracers have been exploited to study or identify molecular biomarkers of disease, monitor disease progression, determining the effects of a drug on a particular pathology and assess the pharmacokinetic behaviour of pharmaceuticals in vivo. Significantly, these new imaging systems provide investigators with an unprecedented ability to examine and measure in vivo biological and pharmacological processes over time in the same animals thus reducing experimental variability, time and costs. Molecular imaging based on the radiotracer principle allows chemical processes ranging from cellular events, to cellular communication and interaction in their environment, to the organisation and function of complete tissue and organs to be studied in real time without perturbation. One of the key benefits of molecular imaging is a technique that allows longitudinal studies vital for monitoring intra-individual progression in disease, or regression with supplementary pharmacotherapies. This is key in animal models of diseases such as MS, where there is significant intra-individual variability in the disease course and severity. Recent investigations have proposed the translocator protein (TSPO; 18 kDa), also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), as a molecular target for imaging neuroinflammation (Chen & Guilarte, 2008; Doorduin et al., 2008; Papadopoulos et al., 2006). TSPO (18 kDa) is a multimeric protein consisting of five transmembrane helices, which, in association with a 32 kDa subunit that functions as a voltage dependent anion channel and a 30 kDa subunit that functions as an adenine nucleotide carrier forms part of a hetero-oligomeric complex (McEnery et al., 1992) responsible for cholesterol, heme and calcium transport in specific tissue. TSPO is primarily located on the outer mitochondrial membrane and is predominantly expressed in visceral organs (kidney, heart) and the steroid hormone producing cells of the adrenal cortex, testis and ovaries. In the central nervous system (CNS), TSPO is sparsely expressed under normal physiological conditions, however its expression is significantly upregulated following CNS injury (Chen et al., 2004; Papadopoulos et al., 1997; Venneti et al., 2006; Venneti, et al., 2008). Several studies have identified activated glial cells as the cells responsible for TSPO upregulation in inflamed brain tissue, both in humans and in experimental models (Mattner et al., 2011; Myers et al., 1991a; Stephenson et al., 1995; Vowinckel et al., 1997) and the TSPO ligand [11C]-PK11195 was one of the first PET ligands used for imaging activated microglia in various neurodegenerative diseases (Venneti et al., 2006). Although [11C]-(R)-PK11195 is widely used for imaging of microglia, its considerable high plasma protein binding, high levels of nonspecific binding, relatively poor blood–brain barrier permeability and short half-life, limits its use in brain imaging (Chauveau et al., 2008). Recently, alternative PET radioligands for TSPO including the phenoxyarylacetamide derivative [11C]-DAA1106 and its analogues (Gulyas et al., 2009; Takano et al., 2010; Venneti et al., 2008), the imidazopyridines (PBR111) and its analogues (Boutin et al., 2007a; Fookes et al., 2008) and the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives [18F]-DPA-714 and [11C]-DPA-713 (Boutin et al., 2007b; James et al., 2008) have been investigated. In addition to imaging with PET, recent advances in new generation of hybrid SPECT imaging systems enabling increased resolution and morphological documentation with associated computed tomography have been made for use clinically and preclinically. These advances have created a need and an opportunity for SPECT tracers; particularly those incorporating the longer lived radiotracer iodine-123 (t ½ = 13.2 h), to facilitate extended longitudinal imaging studies. In this study the recently developed high-affinity TSPO, SPECT ligand, 6-chloro-2-(4′-iodophenyl)-3-(N,N-diethyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-acetamide or CLINDE , was used to explore the expression of activated glia in a model of transferred EAE (tEAE). [123I]-CLINDE has demonstrated its potency and specificity for TSPO binding, its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and suitable pharmacokinetics for SPECT imaging studies (Mattner et al., 2008). It has also been shown that [123I]-CLINDE was able to detect in vivo inflammatory processes characterized by increased density of TSPO in several animal models (Arlicot et al., 2008; Arlicot et al., 2010; Mattner et al., 2005; Mattner et al., 2011; Song et al., 2010), thus representing a promising SPECT radiotracer for imaging neuroinflammation. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of [123I]-CLINDE to detect and quantify the activated glia and consequently correlate the intensity of TSPO upregulation with the severity of disease in a model of tEAE. © 2022 IntechOpen (Open Access).
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    Automated radiosynthesis of [18F]PBR111 and [18F]PBR102 using the TracerLab FXFN and TracerLab MXFDG module for imaging the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor with PET
    (Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2012-01-01) Bourdier, T; Pham, TQ; Henderson, D; Jackson, TW; Lam, P; Izard, M; Katsifis, A
    [F-18]PBR111 and [F-18]PBR102 are selective radioligands for imaging of the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR). We have developed a fully automated method for the radiosynthesis of [F-18]PBR111 and [F-18]PBR102 in the Tracerlab FXFN (30 +/- 2% radiochemical yield non-decay-corrected for both tracers) and Tracerlab MXFDG (25 +/- 2% radiochemical yield non-decay-corrected for both tracers) from the corresponding p-toluenesulfonyl precursors. For all tracers, radiochemical purity was > 99% and specific activity was > 150 GBq/mu mol after less than 60 min of preparation time. © 2012, Elsevier Ltd.
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    Central nervous system expression and PET imaging of the translocator protein in relapsing–remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
    (Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 2013-01-15) Mattner, F; Staykova, M; Berghofer, PJ; Wong, HJ; Fordham, S; Callaghan, PD; Jackson, T; Pham, TQ; Grégoire, MC; Zahra, D; Rahardjo, GL; Linares, D; Katsifis, A
    Glial neuroinflammation is associated with the development and progression of multiple sclerosis. PET imaging offers a unique opportunity to evaluate neuroinflammatory processes longitudinally in a noninvasive and clinically translational manner. (18)F-PBR111 is a newly developed PET radiopharmaceutical with high affinity and selectivity for the translocator protein (TSPO), expressed on activated glia. This study aimed to investigate neuroinflammation at different phases of relapsing-remitting (RR) experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the brains of SJL/J mice by postmortem histologic analysis and in vivo by PET imaging with (18)F-PBR111. METHODS: RR EAE was induced by immunization with PLP(139-151) peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant. Naive female SJL/J mice and mice immunized with saline-complete Freund's adjuvant were used as controls. The biodistribution of (18)F-PBR111 was measured in 13 areas of the central nervous system and compared with PET imaging results during different phases of RR EAE. The extents of TSPO expression and glial activation were assessed with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and a real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was significant TSPO expression in all of the central nervous system areas studied at the peak of the first clinical episode and, importantly, at the preclinical stage. In contrast, only a few TSPO-positive cells were observed at the second episode. At the third episode, there was again an increase in TSPO expression. TSPO expression was associated with microglial cells or macrophages without obvious astrocyte labeling. The dynamics of (18)F-PBR111 uptake in the brain, as measured by in vivo PET imaging and biodistribution, followed the pattern of TSPO expression during RR EAE. CONCLUSION: PET imaging with the TSPO ligand (18)F-PBR111 clearly reflected the dynamics of microglial activation in the SJL/J mouse model of RR EAE. The results are the first to highlight the discrepancy between the clinical symptoms of EAE and TSPO expression in the brain, as measured by PET imaging at the peaks of various EAE episodes. The results suggest a significant role for PET imaging investigations of neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis and allow for in vivo follow-up of antiinflammatory treatment strategies. © 2013 Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.
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    Characterisation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors changes in early phase of epileptogenesis in the rat with PET and [18F]PBR111
    (Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2009-05) Grégoire, MC; Dedeurwaerdere, S; Callaghan, PD; Loc'h, C; Pham, TQ; Katsifis, A
    The current project aims at investigating the role of microglial activation in epileptogenesis by estimating PBR changes in the rat brain with a new and highly specific PBR ligand, [18F]PBR111, during the early phase, i.e. one week after status epilepticus induced by kainic acid (KA). Methods Four controls and 6 KA rats were scanned for 180 minutes with our small animal PET/CT under a triple-injection protocol. The results presented here cover only the first 60 minutes after injection of 0.06nmoles of [18F]PBR111. Arterial blood samples were withdrawn and metabolite corrected plasma time-activity curves were derived. Each CT and PET data were co-registered to an age and strain matched rat brain atlas containing 25 Regions-Of-Interest (ROIs). The Volume of Distribution (Vd) were calculated for each region. Whole-brain-normalised Vd (nVd) were also calculated to assess local variations. Results Compared to controls, KA-treated rats show a 2 to 3-fold increase of the Vd in all brain areas except the midbrain. No significant asymmetry was detected (< 9%), so the ROIs were grouped. Normalized Vd values (Table 1) show that Amygdala, Striata, Thalamus and Hippocampus are predominantly involved. No significant changes were detected in the midbrain and all cortical areas. Estimates of receptors densitiy (Bmax) and apparent affinity (KdVr) will be calculated from the full kinetics (three phases) and reported later. Conclusions This in vivo imaging study has identified significant microglial activation during early epileptogenesis in several brain regions which are known to play a key role in chronic epilepsy.
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    Comparison of in vivo binding properties of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) ligands [18F]PBR102 and [18F]PBR111 in a model of excitotoxin-induced neuroinflammation
    (Springer Link, 2015-01) Callaghan, PD; Wimberley, CA; Rahardjo, GL; Berghofer, PJ; Pham, TQ; Jackson, TW; Zahra, D; Bourdier, T; Wyatt, N; Greguric, I; Howell, NR; Siegele, R; Pastuovic, Z; Mattner, F; Loc'h, C; Grégoire, MC; Katsifis, A
    The in vivo binding parameters of the novel imidazopyridine TSPO ligand [18F]PBR102 were assessed and compared with those of [18F]PBR111 in a rodent model of neuroinflammation. The validity of the key assumptions of the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) for estimation of binding potential (BP) was determined, with validation against a two-tissue compartment model (2TC). Methods Acute neuroinflammation was assessed 7 days after unilateral stereotaxic administration of (R,S)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolopropionique (AMPA) in anaesthetized adult Wistar rats. Anaesthetized rats were implanted with a femoral arterial cannula then injected with a low mass of [18F]PBR102 or [18F]PBR111 and dynamic images were acquired over 60 min using an INVEON PET/CT camera. Another population of rats underwent the same PET protocol after pretreatment with a presaturating mass of the same unlabelled tracer (1 mg/kg) to assess the validity of the reference region for SRTM analysis. Arterial blood was sampled during imaging, allowing pharmacokinetic determination of radiotracer concentrations. Plasma activity concentration–time curves were corrected for unchanged tracer based on metabolic characterization experiments in a separate cohort of Wistar rats. The stability of neuroinflammation in both imaging cohorts was assessed by [125I] CLINDE TSPO quantitative autoradiography, OX42/GFAP immunohistochemistry, Fluoro-Jade C histology, and elemental mapping using microparticle-induced x-ray emission spectroscopy. The BP of each ligand were assessed in the two cohorts of lesioned animals using both SRTM and a 2TC with arterial parent compound concentration, coupled with the results from the presaturation cohort for comparison and validation of the SRTM. Results The BPs of [18F]PBR102 [18F]PBR111 were equivalent, with improved signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity compared with [11C]PK11195. The presaturation study showed differences in the volume of distribution between the ipsilateral striatum and the striatum contralateral to the injury (0.7) indicating that an assumption of the SRTM was not met. The modelling indicated that the BPs were consistent for both ligands. Between the SRTM and 2TC model, the BPs were highly correlated, but there was a bias in BP. Conclusion [18F]PBR102 and [18F]PBR111 have equivalent binding properties in vivo, displaying significantly greater BPs with lower signal-to-noise ratio than [11C]PK11195. While an assumption of the SRTM was not met, this modelling approach was validated against 2TC modelling for both ligands, facilitating future use in longitudinal PET imaging of neuroinflammation.© 2014, Springer Nature
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    Discovery of [F-18]N-(2-(Diethylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoronicotinamide: a melanoma positron emission tomography imaging radiotracer with high tumor to body contrast ratio and rapid renal clearance
    (American Chemical Society, 2009-09-10) Greguric, I; Taylor, SR; Denoyer, D; Ballantyne, P; Berghofer, PJ; Roselt, P; Pham, TQ; Mattner, F; Bourdier, T; Neels, OC; Dorow, DS; Loc'h, C; Hicks, RJ; Katsifis, A
    The high melanoma uptake and rapid body clearance displayed by our series of [123I]iodonicotinamides prompted the development of [18F]N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoronicotinamide ([18F]2), a novel radiotracer for PET melanoma imaging. Significantly, unlike fluorobenzoates, [18F]fluorine incorporation on the nicotinamide ring is one step, facile, and high yielding. [18F]2 displayed high tumor uptake, rapid body clearance via predominantly renal excretion, and is currently being evaluated in preclinical studies for progression into clinical trials to assess the responsiveness of therapeutic agents. © 2009, American Chemical Society
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    Evaluation of [I-123]-CLINDE as a potent SPECT radiotracer to assess the degree of astroglia activation in cuprizone-induced neuroinflammation
    (Springer, 2011-08-01) Mattner, F; Bandin, DL; Staykova, M; Berghofer, PJ; Grégoire, MC; Ballantyne, P; Quinlivan, M; Fordham, S; Pham, TQ; Willenborg, DO; Katsifis, A
    The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and sensitivity of the high-affinity translocator protein (TSPO) ligand [123I]-CLINDE in imaging TSPO changes in vivo and characterise and compare astroglial and TSPO changes in the cuprizone model of demyelination and remyelination in C57BL/6 mice. Methods C57BL/6 mice were fed with cuprizone for 4 weeks to induce demyelination followed by 2–4 weeks of standard diet (remyelination). Groups of mice were followed by in vivo single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT imaging using [123I]-CLINDE and uptake correlated with biodistribution, autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The uptake of [123I]-CLINDE in the brain as measured by SPECT imaging over the course of treatment reflects the extent of the physiological response, with significant increases observed during demyelination followed by a decrease in uptake during remyelination. This was confirmed by autoradiography and biodistribution studies. A positive correlation between TSPO expression and astrogliosis was found and both activated astrocytes and microglial cells expressed TSPO. [123I]-CLINDE uptake reflects astrogliosis in brain structures such as corpus callosum, caudate putamen, medium septum and olfactory tubercle as confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo results. Conclusion The dynamics in the cuprizone-induced astroglial and TSPO changes, observed by SPECT imaging, were confirmed by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and autoradiography. The highly specific TSPO radioiodinated ligand CLINDE can be used as an in vivo marker for early detection and monitoring of a variety of neuropathological conditions using noninvasive brain imaging techniques. © 2011, Springer.
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    Evaluation of the PBR ligand [123I]CLINDE in an animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
    (Australasian Quaternary Association, 2008-05-01) Mattner, F; Linares, D; Staykova, M; Grégoire, MC; Pham, TQ; Bourdier, T; Quinlivan, M; Callaghan, PD; Willenborg, DO; Katsifis, A
    Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR) radioligand [123I]CLINDE in the rat inflammatory disease model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: EAE was induced with blast cells collected from spleen and lymph nodes of Lewis rats induced with myelin basic protein and complete Freund's adjuvant. Biodistribution with [123I]CLINDE was undertaken on EAE rats exhibiting different disease severity and compared to controls.The relationship between inflammatory lesions and tracer uptake was investigated using ex vivo autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Results: Disease severity was confirmed by histopathology in spinal cord. Results indicate enhanced uptake of [123I]CLINDE in all animals induced with EAE compared to controls. This uptake reflected the ascending nature of the inflammatory lesions ie. uptake in the lumbar spinal cord > thoracic cord > cervical cord > medulla > cerebellum. Uptake of [123I]CLINDE in the lumbar and thoracic cord correlated with disease severity. A 2 and 3 fold enhancement in PBR expression was observed in the brain and spinal cord of animals with a clinical score of 3 compared to controls. Regional [123I]CLINDE uptake closely correlated with localisation of PBR, shown using autoradiography and immunohistochemisty. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the ability of [123I]CLINDE to measure in vivo changes of PBR density according to area of involvement and the severity of disease suggesting it as a potential SPECT tracer for the study of inflammation and multiple sclerosis. © 2022 Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    Fluorine-18 radiolabelling and in vitro / in vivo metabolism of [18F]D4-PBR111
    (John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2019-05-26) Wyatt, NA; Safavi-Naeini, M; Wotherspoon, ATL; Arthur, A; Nguyen, AP; Parmar, A; Hamze, H; Day, CM; Zahra, D; Matesic, L; Davis, E; Rahardjo, GL; Yepuri, NR; Shepherd, R; Murphy, RB; Pham, TQ; Nguyen, VH; Callaghan, PD; Holden, PJ; Grégoire, MC; Darwish, TA; Fraser, BH
    Objectives The purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel type 7 (P2X7R) is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated ion-channel, and P2X7R is a key player in inflammation. P2X7R is an emerging therapeutic target in central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), because P2X7R also plays a pivotal role in neuroinflammation. P2X7R represents a potential molecular imaging target for neuroinflammation via biomedical imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET), and several radioligands targeting P2X7R have been developed and evaluated in animals. In our previous work, we have developed and characterized [11C]GSK1482160 as a P2X7R radioligand for neuroinflammation,2 clinical evaluation of [11C]GSK1482160 in healthy controls and patients is currently underway, and the estimation of radiation dosimetry for [11C]GSK1482160 in normal human subjects has been reported.3 Since the half-life (t1/2) of radionuclide carbon-11 is only 20.4 min, it is attractive for us to develop derivatives of [11C]GSK1482160, which can be labeled with the radionuclide fluorine-18 (t1/2, 109.7 min), and a fluorine-18 ligand would be ideal for widespread use.4 To this end, a series of [18F]fluoroalkyl including [18F]fluoromethyl (FM), [18F]fluoroethyl (FE), and [18F]fluoropropyl (FP) derivatives of GSK1482160 have been prepared and examined as new potential P2X7R radioligands. © 2019 The Authors
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    In-vivo imaging characteristics of two fluorinated flumazenil radiotracers in the rat
    (Springer, 2009-06) Dedeurwaerdere, S; Grégoire, MC; Vivash, L; Roselt, P; Binns, D; Fookes, CJR; Greguric, I; Pham, TQ; Loc'h, C; Katsifis, A; Hicks, RJ; O'Brien, TJ; Myers, DE
    Purpose: [11C]Flumazenil shows promise as a clinical and research PET radiotracer to image changes in GABAA central benzodiazepine receptor (cBZR), but its widespread use has been limited by practical limitations of [11C]. This study evaluated the imaging characteristics of two fluorinated PET radiotracers in rats in vivo: [18F]fluoroflumazenil ([18F]FFMZ) and [18F]flumazenil ([18F]FMZ). Methods: PET acquisitions were performed on a small-animal scanner following injection of [18F]FFMZ in nine rats and [18F]FMZ in eight rats. The following treatments were investigated: (1) injection of the tracer dose, (2) presaturation then injection of the tracer dose, and (3) injection of the tracer dose followed by a displacement injection. Unchanged tracer was measured in plasma and brain structures in four animals 10 and 30 min after injection, and ex-vivo autoradiography was also performed. Results: For both [18F]FFMZ and [18F]FMZ maximal brain activity peaked rapidly, and was highest in the hippocampus (1.12±0.06 SUV, 1.24±0.10 SUV, respectively), and lowest in the pons (1.00±0.07 SUV, 1.03±0.09 SUV, respectively). By 50 min after injection, maximal uptake for [18F]FFMZ and [18F]FMZ had decreased in the hippocampus to 18±3% and 80±1% (p<0.01), respectively. The presaturation and displacement studies showed a higher nonspecific component for [18F]FFMZ than for [18F]FMZ. Metabolite studies showed that at 30 min only 10% of the signal was from [18F]FFMZ in the brain. This nonspecific binding was apparent on autoradiography. In contrast, [18F]FMZ accounted for >70% of the signal in the brain, which resulted in well-defined regional binding on autoradiography. Conclusion These results demonstrate that [18F]FMZ is a superior radiotracer to [18F]FFMZ for in-vivo PET imaging of the GABAA/cBZR, having slower metabolism and leading to lower concentrations of metabolites in the brain that results in a substantially better signal-to-noise ratio. © 2009, Springer.
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    Mapping the early inflammation process that leads to epilepsy in rodents
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2009-01-09) Callaghan, PD; Dedeurwaerdere, S; Grégoire, MC; Pham, TQ; Katsifis, A
    Imaging of the living brain using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), a noninvasive, sensitive and quantitative imaging methodology, allows us to investigate neurobiological mechanisms involved in the onset of the neurological disease. Our work has focused on investigating the pre-symptomatic neuroinflammatory processes (called epileptogenesis) that lead development of chronic seizures, in an animal model of epilepsy. We have used our in-house radiotracer (18F-PBR111) which is highly specific for receptors expressed in the inflammatory response within the brain. Performing pre-clinical PET imaging with this radioligand allowed us to map and quantify neuroinflammation in vivo, and to correlate this with full in vitro assessment of the neuroinflammation response. The in vivo ligand binding patterns highly correlate with the structures involved in the generation of seizures, and these data reflect the in vitro data, illustrating that the PET binding represents true neuroinflammation. Thus, longitudinal PET studies will be possible in order to follow-up the evolution of the inflammatory regions during the onset of the disease, and test new preventive therapies that modulate this disease process.
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    Microfluidic implementation of Ru-catalyzed methylation of amines using CO2 as carbon source
    (Akadémiai Kiadó Zrt, 2016-06-22) Perkins, G; Khatib, O; Peterson, MB; Kallinen, A; Pham, TQ; Ung, AT; Greguric, I; Pascali, G
    Carbon dioxide chemistry is an area of continuing growth in recent times, due to socioeconomic and environmental reasons. Several methods have now been reported for obtaining N-methylation on primary and secondary amines directly from CO2. We have translated in two microfluidic setups (Slug Flow [SF] and Tube-in-Tube [TiT]) a ruthenium (Ru)-catalyzed process previously reported using a pressure vessel. Here, we demonstrate how the SF approach is more efficient but requires more input to reach a steady state, while the TiT system is less efficient but more tuneable.We have tested these processes on three model amines and two radiopharmaceutical precursors that are routinely used in 11C chemistry. The microfluidic processes tested are also potentially more efficient than the pressure vessel counterpart, in terms of amount of Ru catalyst needed (1% vs. 10%) and projected reaction completion time. © 2016 Akadémiai Kiadó Zrt.
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    NEMA NU 4-2008 validation and applications of the PET-SORTEO Monte Carlo simulations platform for the geometry of the Inveon PET preclinical scanner
    (IOP Publishing, 2013-09-10) Boisson, F; Wimberley, CA; Lehnert, W; Zahra, D; Pham, TQ; Perkins, G; Hamze, H; Grégoire, MC; Reilhac, A
    Monte Carlo-based simulation of positron emission tomography (PET) data plays a key role in the design and optimization of data correction and processing methods. Our first aim was to adapt and configure the PET-SORTEO Monte Carlo simulation program for the geometry of the widely distributed Inveon PET preclinical scanner manufactured by Siemens Preclinical Solutions. The validation was carried out against actual measurements performed on the Inveon PET scanner at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Australia and at the Brain and Mind Research Institute and by strictly following the NEMA NU 4-2008 standard. The comparison of simulated and experimental performance measurements included spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction and count rates, image quality and Derenzo phantom studies. Results showed that PET-SORTEO reliably reproduces the performances of this Inveon preclinical system. In addition, imaging studies showed that the PET-SORTEO simulation program provides raw data for the Inveon scanner that can be fully corrected and reconstructed using the same programs as for the actual data. All correction techniques (attenuation, scatter, randoms, dead-time, and normalization) can be applied on the simulated data leading to fully quantitative reconstructed images. In the second part of the study, we demonstrated its ability to generate fast and realistic biological studies. PET-SORTEO is a workable and reliable tool that can be used, in a classical way, to validate and/or optimize a single PET data processing step such as a reconstruction method. However, we demonstrated that by combining a realistic simulated biological study ([11C]Raclopride here) involving different condition groups, simulation allows one also to assess and optimize the data correction, reconstruction and data processing line flow as a whole, specifically for each biological study, which is our ultimate intent. © 2017 IOP Publishing
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    A new class of fluorinated 5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl isatin caspase inhibitors for PET imaging of apoptosis
    (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2012-11-12) Krause-Heuer, AM; Howell, NR; Matesic, L; Dhand, G; Young, EL; Burgess, L; Jiang, CD; Lengkeek, NA; Fookes, CJR; Pham, TQ; Sobrio, F; Greguric, I; Fraser, BH
    Thirteen compounds in a new class of fluorinated 5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl isatin derivatives were synthesised that have potent and selective inhibitory activity against effector caspases-3 and -7. With in vivo animal PET imaging studies of cerebral ischemia being planned, N-benzylation with selected para-substituted benzylic halides allowed systematic variation of lipophilicity (logP 1.94–3.31) without decreasing inhibition potency (IC50). From this series the p-methoxybenzyl analogue was selected for initial ‘proof-of-concept’ [18F]-fluoride radiolabelling which proceeded in good yield and purity with no need for a protection/deprotection strategy. © 2013 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    Optimization of nucleophilic 18F radiofluorinations using a microfluidic reaction approach
    (Nature Publishing Group, 2014-07-31) Pascali, G; Matesic, L; Collier, TL; Wyatt, NA; Fraser, BH; Pham, TQ; Salvadori, PA; Gueguric, I
    Microfluidic techniques are increasingly being used to synthesize positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Several reports demonstrate higher incorporation yields, with shorter reaction times and reduced amounts of reagents compared with traditional vessel-based techniques. Microfluidic techniques, therefore, have tremendous potential for allowing rapid and cost-effective optimization of new radiotracers. This protocol describes the implementation of a suitable microfluidic process to optimize classical 18F radiofluorination reactions by rationalizing the time and reagents used. Reaction optimization varies depending on the systems used, and it typically involves 5–10 experimental days of up to 4 h of sample collection and analysis. In particular, the protocol allows optimization of the key fluidic parameters in the first tier of experiments: reaction temperature, residence time and reagent ratio. Other parameters, such as solvent, activating agent and precursor concentration need to be stated before the experimental runs. Once the optimal set of parameters is found, repeatability and scalability are also tested in the second tier of experiments. This protocol allows the standardization of a microfluidic methodology that could be applied in any radiochemistry laboratory, in order to enable rapid and efficient radiosynthesis of new and existing [18F]-radiotracers. Here we show how this method can be applied to the radiofluorination optimization of ​[18F]-MEL050, a melanoma tumor imaging agent. This approach, if integrated into a good manufacturing practice (GMP) framework, could result in the reduction of materials and the time required to bring new radiotracers toward preclinical and clinical applications. © 2014, Nature Publishing Group
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    PET imaging of brain inflammation during early epileptogenesis in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy
    (Springer-Velag, 2012-11-08) Dedeurwaerdere, S; Callaghan, PD; Pham, TQ; Rahardjo, GL; Amhaoul, H; Berghofer, PJ; Quinlivan, M; Mattner, F; Loc'h, C; Katsifis, A; Grégoire, MC
    Background Recently, inflammatory cascades have been suggested as a target for epilepsy therapy. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging offers the unique possibility to evaluate brain inflammation longitudinally in a non-invasive translational manner. This study investigated brain inflammation during early epileptogenesis in the post-kainic acid-induced status epilepticus (KASE) model with post-mortem histology and in vivo with [18F]-PBR111 PET. Methods Status epilepticus (SE) was induced (N = 13) by low-dose injections of KA, while controls (N = 9) received saline. Translocator protein (TSPO) expression and microglia activation were assessed with [125I]-CLINDE autoradiography and OX-42 immunohistochemistry, respectively, 7 days post-SE. In a subgroup of rats, [18F]-PBR111 PET imaging with metabolite-corrected input function was performed before post-mortem evaluation. [18F]-PBR111 volume of distribution (V t) in volume of interests (VOIs) was quantified by means of kinetic modelling and a VOI/metabolite-corrected plasma activity ratio. Results Animals with substantial SE showed huge overexpression of TSPO in vitro in relevant brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala (P < 0.001), while animals with mild symptoms displayed a smaller increase in TSPO in amygdala only (P < 0.001). TSPO expression was associated with OX-42 signal but without obvious cell loss. Similar in vivo [18F]-PBR111 increases in V t and the simplified ratio were found in key regions such as the hippocampus (P < 0.05) and amygdala (P < 0.01). Conclusion Both post-mortem and in vivo methods substantiate that the brain regions important in seizure generation display significant brain inflammation during epileptogenesis in the KASE model. This work enables future longitudinal investigation of the role of brain inflammation during epileptogenesis and evaluation of anti-inflammatory treatments. © 2012, Springer.
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    Positron emission tomography and functional characterization of a complete PBR/TSPO knockout
    (Springer Nature, 2014-11-19) Banati, RB; Middleton, RJ; Chan, RHY; Hatty, CR; Wai-Ying Kam, W; Quin, C; Graeber, MB; Parmar, A; Zahra, D; Callaghan, PD; Fok, S; Howell, NR; Grégoire, MC; Szabo, A; Pham, TQ; Davis, E; Liu, GJ
    The evolutionarily conserved peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), or 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), is thought to be essential for cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis, and thus life. TSPO has been proposed as a biomarker of neuroinflammation and a new drug target in neurological diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to anxiety. Here we show that global C57BL/6-Tspotm1GuWu(GuwiyangWurra)-knockout mice are viable with normal growth, lifespan, cholesterol transport, blood pregnenolone concentration, protoporphyrin IX metabolism, fertility and behaviour. However, while the activation of microglia after neuronal injury appears to be unimpaired, microglia from GuwiyangWurraTSPO knockouts produce significantly less ATP, suggesting reduced metabolic activity. Using the isoquinoline PK11195, the ligand originally used for the pharmacological and structural characterization of the PBR/TSPO, and the imidazopyridines CLINDE and PBR111, we demonstrate the utility of GuwiyangWurraTSPO knockouts to provide robust data on drug specificity and selectivity, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the mechanism of action of putative TSPO-targeting drugs. Copyright © 2014, Springer Nature