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Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7-nAChR) plays a crucial role in cognitive functions like memory and attention. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of alpha 7-nAChR is gaining attraction for understanding and monitoring central nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. We developed [11C]KIn83, a novel alpha 7-nAChR radioligand, and evaluated its biological properties. This study focused on two objectives: (1) to validate its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant production, and (2) to assess the dosimetry of [11C]KIn83 using non-human primate (NHP) whole-body PET data. Radiolabeling and drug product delivery of [11C]KIn83 were conducted using an automated synthesis module within a controlled GMP environment. The quality control tests performed adhered to the European Pharmacopoeia guidelines. The production of [11C]KIn83 was validated according to GMP standards, encompassing automated synthesis and quality control measures. For the dosimetry assessment, two female cynomolgus monkeys underwent whole-body PET scans. The radioactivity values injected for [11C]KIn83 were 150 MBq and 155 MBq, respectively, with an estimated radiation dose of 0.0047 mSv/MBq. Our findings pave the way for future clinical studies that investigate the potential of [11C]KIn83 to measure alpha 7-nAChR, aiding our understanding and possibly supporting diagnoses of different cognitive disorders.

Microfluidic technology is a highly efficient technique used in positron emission tomography (PET) radiochemical synthesis. This approach enables the precise control of reactant flows and reaction conditions, leading to improved yields and reduced synthesis time. The synthesis of two radiotracers, L-[¹¹C]methionine and [¹¹C]choline, was performed, using a microfluidic cassette and an iMiDEV^TM module by employing a dose-on-demand approach for the synthesis process. We focused on optimizing the precursor amounts and radiosynthesis on the microfluidic cassette. L-[¹¹C]methionine and [¹¹C]choline were synthesized using a microreactor filled with a suitable resin for the radiochemical reaction. Trapping of the [¹¹C]methyl iodide, its reaction, and solid-phase extraction purification were performed on a microreactor, achieving radiochemical yields of >80% for L-[¹¹C]methionine and >60% for [¹¹C]choline (n = 3). The total synthesis time for both the radiotracers was approximately 20 min. All quality control tests complied with the European Pharmacopeia standards. The dose-on-demand model allows for real-time adaptation to patient schedules, making it suitable for preclinical and clinical settings. Precursor optimization enhanced the cost efficiency without compromising the yield. The importance of dose-on-demand synthesis and optimized precursor utilization to produce L-[¹¹C]methionine and [¹¹C]choline was emphasized in this study. The results demonstrated the feasibility of dose-on-demand adaptations for clinical applications with reduced precursor quantities and high radiochemical yields.

Primary supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that perturbs body movement, eye movement, and walking balance. Similar to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the abnormal aggregation of tau fibrils in the central neuronal and glial cells is a major hallmark of PSP disease. In this study, we use multiple approaches, including docking, molecular dynamics, and metadynamics simulations, to investigate the binding mechanism of 10 first- and second-generations of PET tracers for PSP tau and compare their binding in cortical basal degeneration (CBD) and AD tauopathies. Structure–activity relationships, binding preferences, the nature of ligand binding in terms of basic intermolecular interactions, the role of polar/charged residues, induced-fit mechanisms, grove closures, and folding patterns for the binding of these tracers in PSP, CBD, and AD tau fibrils are evaluated and discussed in detail in order to build a holistic picture of what is essential for the binding and also to rank the potency of the different tracers. For example, we found that the same tracer shows different binding preferences for the surface sites of tau fibrils that are intrinsically distinct in the folding patterns. Results from the metadynamics simulations predict that PMPBB3 and PBB3 exhibit the strongest binding free energies onto the Q276[I277]I278, Q351[S352]K353, and N368[K369]K370 sites of PSP than the other explored tracers, indicating a solid preference for vdW and cation−π interactions. Our results also reproduced known preferences of tracers, namely, that MK6240 binds better to AD tau than CBD tau and PSP tau and that CBD2115, PI2620, and PMPBB3 are 4R tau binders. These findings fill in the well-sought-after knowledge gap in terms of these tracers’ potential binding mechanisms and will be important for the design of highly selective novel PET tracers for tauopathies.

Various pharmacoepidemiological investigational studies have indicated that Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD related dementias. Previously, we have reported the inhibition of the acetylcholine biosynthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) by PPIs, for which omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole exhibited IC50 values of 0.1, 1.5, and 5.3 mu M, respectively. In this study we utilize a battery of computational tools to perceive a mechanistic insight into the molecular interaction of PPIs with the ChAT binding pocket that may further help in designing novel ChAT ligands. Various in-silico tools make it possible for us to elucidate the binding interaction, conformational stability, and dynamics of the protein-ligand complexes within a 200 ns time frame. Further, the binding free energies for the PPI-ChAT complexes were explored. The results suggest that the PPIs exhibit equal or higher binding affinity toward the ChAT catalytic tunnel and are stable throughout the simulated time and that the pyridine ring of the PPIs interacts primarily with the catalytic residue His324. A free energy landscape analysis showed that the folding process was linear, and the residue interaction network analysis can provide insight into the roles of various amino acid residues in stabilization of the PPIs in the ChAT binding pocket. As a major factor for the onset of Alzheimer's disease is linked to cholinergic dysfunction, our previous and the present findings give clear insight into the PPI interaction with ChAT. The scaffold can be further simplified to develop novel ChAT ligands, which can also be used as ChAT tracer probes for the diagnosis of cholinergic dysfunction and to initiate timely therapeutic interventions to prevent or delay the progression of AD.

Background The demand for Ga-68-labeled radiotracers has significantly increased in the past decade, driven by the development of diversified imaging tracers, such as FAPI derivatives, PSMA-11, DOTA-TOC, and DOTA-TATE. These tracers have exhibited promising results in theranostic applications, fueling interest in exploring them for clinical use. Among these probes, Ga-68-labeled FAPI-46 and DOTA-TOC have emerged as key players due to their ability to diagnose a broad spectrum of cancers ([Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46) in late-phase studies, whereas [Ga-68]Ga-DOTA-TOC is clinically approved for neuroendocrine tumors. To facilitate their production, we leveraged a microfluidic cassette-based iMiDEV radiosynthesizer, enabling the synthesis of [Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46 and [Ga-68]Ga-DOTA-TOC based on a dose-on-demand (DOD) approach.Results Different mixing techniques were explored to influence radiochemical yield. We achieved decay-corrected yield of 44 +/- 5% for [Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46 and 46 +/- 7% for [Ga-68]Ga-DOTA-TOC in approximately 30 min. The radiochemical purities (HPLC) of [Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46 and [Ga-68]Ga-DOTA-TOC were 98.2 +/- 0.2% and 98.4 +/- 0.9%, respectively. All the quality control results complied with European Pharmacopoeia quality standards. We optimized various parameters, including Ga-68 trapping and elution, cassette batches, passive mixing in the reactor, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification and formulation. The developed synthesis method reduced the amount of precursor and other chemicals required for synthesis compared to conventional radiosynthesizers.Conclusions The microfluidic-based approach enabled the implementation of radiosynthesis of [Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46 and [Ga-68]Ga-DOTA-TOC on the iMiDEV (TM) microfluidic module, paving the way for their use in preclinical and clinical applications. The microfluidic synthesis approach utilized 2-3 times less precursor than cassette-based conventional synthesis. The synthesis method was also successfully validated in a similar microfluidic iMiDEV module at a different research center for the synthesis of [Ga-68]Ga-FAPI-46 with limited runs. Our study demonstrated the potential of microfluidic methods for efficient and reliable radiometal-based radiopharmaceutical synthesis, contributing valuable insights for future advancements in this field and paving the way for routine clinical applications in the near future.

The homo-pentameric alpha 7 receptor is one of the major types of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha 7nAChRs) related to cognition, memory formation, and attention processing. The mapping of alpha 7-nAChRs by PET pulls a lot of attention to realize the mechanism and development of CNS diseases such as AD, PD, and schizophrenia. Several PET radioligands have been explored for the detection of the alpha 7-nAChR. F-18-ASEM is the most functional for in vivo quantification of alpha 7-nAChRs in the human brain. The first aim of this study was to initially use results from in silico and machine learning techniques to prescreen and predict the binding energy and other properties of ASEM analogues and to interpret these properties in terms of atomic structures using F-18-ASEM as a lead structure, and second, to label some selected candidates with carbon-11/hydrogen-3 (C-11/H-3) and to evaluate the binding properties in vitro and in vivo using the labeled candidates. In silico predictions are obtained from perturbation free-energy calculations preceded by molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and metadynamics simulations. Machine learning techniques have been applied for the BBB and P-gp-binding properties. Six analogues of ASEM were labeled with C-11, and three of them were additionally labeled with H-3. Binding properties were further evaluated using autoradiography (ARG) and PET measurements in non-human primates (NHPs). Radiometabolites were measured in NHP plasma. All six compounds were successfully synthesized. Evaluation with ARG showed that C-11-Kln83 was preferably binding to the alpha 7-nAChR. Competition studies showed that 80% of the total binding was displaced. Further ARG studies using H-3-KIn-83 replicated the preliminary results. In the NHP PET study, the distribution pattern of C-11-KIn-83 was similar to other alpha 7 nAChR PET tracers. The brain uptake was relatively low and increased by the administration of tariquidar, indicating a substrate of P-gp. The ASEM blocking study showed that C-11-KIn-83 specifically binds to alpha 7 nAChRs. Preliminary in vitro evaluation of KIn-83 by ARG with both C-11 and H-3 and in vivo evaluation in NHP showed favorable properties for selectively imaging alpha 7-nAChRs, despite a relatively low brain uptake.

In the last decade, microfluidic techniques have been explored in radiochemistry, and some of them have been implemented in preclinical production. However, these are not suitable and reliable for preparing different types of radiotracers or dose-on-demand production. A fully automated iMiDEV (TM) microfluidic radiosynthesizer has been introduced and this study is aimed at using of the iMiDEV (TM) radiosynthesizer with a microfluidic cassette to produce [C-11]flumazenil and [C-11]L-deprenyl. These two are known PET radioligands for benzodiazepine receptors and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), respectively. Methods were successfully developed to produce [C-11]flumazenil and [C-11]L-deprenyl using [C-11]methyl iodide and [C-11]methyl triflate, respectively. The final products 1644 +/- 504 MBq (n = 7) and 533 +/- 20 MBq (n = 3) of [C-11]flumazenil and [C-11]L-deprenyl were produced with radiochemical purities were over 98% and the molar activity for [C-11]flumazenil and [C-11]L-deprenyl was 1912 +/- 552 GBq/mu mol, and 1463 +/- 439 GBq/mu mol, respectively, at the end of synthesis. All the QC tests complied with the European Pharmacopeia. Different parameters, such as solvents, bases, methylating agents, precursor concentration, and different batches of cassettes, were explored to increase the radiochemical yield. Synthesis methods were developed using 3-5 times less precursor than conventional methods. The fully automated iMiDEV (TM) microfluidic radiosynthesizer was successfully applied to prepare [C-11]flumazenil and [C-11]L-deprenyl.

iMiDEV™ microfluidic system is a new automated tool for a small-scale production of radiopharmaceuticals. This new radiochemistry module utilizes microfluidic cassettes capable of producing diversified radiopharmaceuticals in liquid phase reactions in an automated synthesizer. The user interface is intuitive and designed to give the operator all the information required and to allow driving the synthesis either manually or fully automatically. In this work, we have demonstrated liquid phase reaction and presented the first results of an efficient fully automated [¹⁸F]NaF radiosynthesis on the iMiDEV™ platform. Different parameters such as a type of cyclotron targets, initial activity, concentration and volume of the fluoride-18 targetry have been investigated in order to elaborate the optimised radiolabelling of the ligand. Single and double sodium [¹⁸F]fluoride synthesis procedures have been successfully developed using two chambers of the cassette. A single-dose of radiotracer was produced in an average radiochemical yield of 87% (decay corrected) within 8 min and quality control tests were performed as per European Pharmacopoeia.

The alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7-nAChR) is implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. The progress of these disorders can be studied using positron emission tomography (PET) with radiotracers for alpha 7-nAChR. [F-18]ASEM and [F-18] para-ASEM (also referred to as [F-18]DBT-10) are novel and potent alpha 7-nAChR PET radiotracers which have successfully been used in human subjects and nonhuman primates, though further improvement of them is still a pressing task in the community of neurodegeneration research. In this work, we demonstrate the use of modern in silico techniques to predict the binding modes, binding strengths, and residence times for molecular PET tracers binding to proteins, using ASEM and DBT-10 as a showcase of the predictive and interpretational power of such techniques, in particular free energy perturbation theory. The corresponding compounds were synthesized and further tested by in vitro binding experiment for validation. Encouragingly, our in silico modeling can correctly predict the binding affinities of the ASEM analogues. The structure-activity relationships for the ortho- and para-substitutions are well explained at the atomistic level and provide structure-based guiding for the future development of PET tracers for alpha 7-nAChR. A discussion is presented on the complementary use of in silico rational methods based on atomic and electronic principles for in vitro characterization of PET tracers.

The understanding of metabolic disease and diabetes on a molecular level has increased significantly due to the recent advances in molecular biology and biotechnology. However, in vitro studies and animal models do not always translate to the human disease, perhaps illustrated by the failure of many drug candidates in the clinical phase. Non-invasive biomedical imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) offer tools for direct visualization and quantification of molecular processes in humans. Developments in this area potentially enable longitudinal in vivo studies of receptors and processes involved in diabetes guiding drug development and diagnosis in the near future. This mini-review focuses on describing the overall perspective of how PET can be used to increase our understanding and improve treatment of diabetes. The methodological aspects and future developments and challenges are highlighted.