Hypoxia-Responsive 19F MRI Probes with Improved Redox Properties and Biocompatibility

Inorg Chem. 2017 Jun 5;56(11):6429-6437. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b00500. Epub 2017 May 24.

Abstract

19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an emerging modality in biomedical imaging, has shown promise for in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Here we present a series of fluorinated Cu(II)ATSM derivatives for potential use as 19F magnetic resonance agents for sensing cellular hypoxia. The synthesized complexes feature a hypoxia-targeting Cu2+ coordination core, nine equivalent fluorine atoms connected via a variable-length poly(ethylene glycol) linker. Introduction of the fluorine moiety maintains the planar coordination geometry of the Cu2+ center, while the linker length modulates the Cu2+/+ reduction potential, 19F NMR relaxation properties, and lipophilicity. In particular, the 19F NMR relaxation properties were quantitatively evaluated by the Solomon-Bloembergen model, revealing a regular pattern of relaxation enhancement tuned by the distance between Cu2+ and F atoms. Finally, the potential utility of these complexes for sensing reductive environments was demonstrated using both 19F MR phantom imaging and 19F NMR, including experiments in intact live cells.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Hypoxia / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fluorine-19 Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Probes / chemical synthesis
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Probes / pharmacology
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Molecular Probes
  • Copper