Improved metabolic stability for 18F PET probes rapidly constructed via tetrazine trans-cyclooctene ligation

Bioconjug Chem. 2015 Mar 18;26(3):435-42. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00089. Epub 2015 Mar 4.

Abstract

The fast kinetics and bioorthogonal nature of the tetrazine trans-cyclooctene (TCO) ligation makes it a unique tool for PET probe construction. In this study, we report the development of an (18)F-labeling system based on a CF3-substituted diphenyl-s-tetrazine derivative with the aim of maintaining high reactivity while increasing in vivo stability. c(RGDyK) was tagged by a CF3-substituted diphenyl-s-tetrazine derivative via EDC-mediated coupling. The resulting tetrazine-RGD conjugate was combined with a (19)F-labeled TCO derivative to give HPLC standards. The analogous (18)F-labeled TCO derivative was combined with the diphenyl-s-tetrazine-RGD at μM concentration. The resulting tracer was subjected to in vivo metabolic stability assessment, and microPET studies in murine U87MG xenograft models. The diphenyl-s-tetrazine-RGD combines with an (18)F-labeled TCO in high yields (>97% decay-corrected on the basis of TCO) using only 4 equiv of tetrazine-RGD relative to the (18)F-labeled TCO (concentration calculated based on product's specific activity). The radiochemical purity of the (18)F-RGD peptides was >95% and the specific activity was 111 GBq/μmol. Noninvasive microPET experiments demonstrated that (18)F-RGD had integrin-specific tumor uptake in subcutaneous U87MG glioma. In vivo metabolic stability of (18)F-RGD in blood, urine, and major organs showed two major peaks: one corresponded to the Diels-Alder conjugate and the other was identified as the aromatized analog. A CF3-substituted diphenyl-s-tetrazine displays excellent speed and efficiency in (18)F-PET probe construction, providing nearly quantitative (18)F labeling within minutes at low micromolar concentrations. The resulting conjugates display improved in vivo metabolic stability relative to our previously described system.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclooctanes / chemistry
  • Cyclooctanes / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes / chemistry
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes / metabolism*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Positron-Emission Tomography* / methods
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Cyclooctanes
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring
  • tetrazine dye 10