Radiolabeling and Quantitative In Vivo SPECT/CT Imaging Study of Liposomes Using the Novel Iminothiolane-99mTc-Tricarbonyl Complex

Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2017 May 31:2017:4693417. doi: 10.1155/2017/4693417. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

The in vivo biodistribution of liposomal formulations greatly influences the pharmacokinetics of these novel drugs; therefore the radioisotope labeling of liposomes and the use of nuclear imaging methods for in vivo studies are of great interest. In the present work, a new procedure for the surface labeling of liposomes is presented using the novel 99mTc-tricarbonyl complex. Liposomes mimicking the composition of two FDA approved liposomal drugs were used. In the first step of the labeling, thiol-groups were formed on the surface of the liposomes using Traut's reagent, which were subsequently used to bind 99mTc-tricarbonyl complex to the liposomal surface. The labeling efficiency determined by size exclusion chromatography was 95%, and the stability of the labeled liposomes in bovine serum was found to be 94% over 2 hours. The obtained specific activity was 50 MBq per 1 μmol lipid which falls among the highest values reported for 99mTc labeling of liposomes. Quantitative in vivo SPECT/CT biodistribution studies revealed distinct differences between the labeled liposomes and the free 99mTc-tricarbonyl, which indicates the in vivo stability of the labeling. As the studied liposomes were non-PEGylated, fast clearance from the blood vessels and high uptake in the liver and spleen were observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Imidoesters / chemistry
  • Isotope Labeling / methods
  • Liposomes / blood
  • Liposomes / pharmacokinetics*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / blood
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics*
  • Technetium*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*

Substances

  • Imidoesters
  • Liposomes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • methyl 4-mercaptobutyrimidate
  • Technetium