Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 are prostanoid-synthesizing enzymes that play important roles in the regulation of neuroinflammation and in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the specific functions of these isoforms are still unclear. We recently developed 11 C-labeled ketoprofen methyl ester as a PET probe that targets the COXs for imaging neuroinflammation, though its responsible isoform is yet to be determined. In the present study, we performed ex vivo and in vivo imaging studies with 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester and determined the contributions of the COX isoforms during the neuroinflammatory process. Methods: To identify the COX isoform responsible for 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester in the brain, we examined the ex vivo autoradiography of 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester using COX-deficient mice. Time-dependent changes in accumulation of 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester during the neuroinflammatory process were evaluated by PET in rats with hemispheric neuroinflammation induced by intrastriatal injection of lipopolysaccharide or quinolinic acid. In both rat models, cell-type specificity of COX isoform expression during neuroinflammation was identified immunohistochemically. Results: Ex vivo autoradiographic analysis of COX-deficient mice revealed a significant reduction of 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester accumulation only in COX-1-deficient mice, not COX-2-deficient mice. PET of rats after intrastriatal injection of lipopolysaccharide showed a significant increase in accumulation of 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester in the inflamed area. This increase was evident at the early phase of 6 h, peaked at day 1, and then returned to basal levels by day 7. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the population of activated microglia and macrophages was elevated at the early phase with COX-1 expression but not COX-2. A significant increase in 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester accumulation was also observed at day 1 after intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid, with increased COX-1-expressing activated microglia and macrophages. Conclusion: We have identified 11 C-ketoprofen methyl ester as a COX-1-selective PET probe, and using this, we have also demonstrated a time-dependent expression of COX-1 in activated microglia and macrophages during the neuroinflammatory process in the living brain. Thus, COX-1 may play a crucial role in the pathology of neuroinflammation and might be a critical target for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a critical enzyme in prostaglandin biosynthesis that modulates a wide range of biological functions, such as pain, fever, and so on. To perform in vivo COX imaging by positron emission tomography (PET), we developed a method to incorporate (11)C radionuclide into various 2-arylpropionic acids that have a common methylated structure, particularly among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thus, we developed a novel (11)C-radiolabeling methodology based on rapid C-[(11)C]methylation by the reaction of [(11)C]CH(3)I with enolate intermediates generated from the corresponding esters under basic conditions. One-pot hydrolysis of the above [(11)C]methylation products also allows the synthesis of desired (11)C-incorporated acids. We demonstrated the utility of this method in the syntheses of six PET tracers, [(11)C]Ibuprofen, [(11)C]Naproxen, [(11)C]Flurbiprofen, [(11)C]Fenoprofen, [(11)C]Ketoprofen, and [(11)C]Loxoprofen. Notably, we found that their methyl esters were particularly useful as proradiotracers for a study of neuroinflammation. The microPET studies of rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced brain inflammation clearly showed that the radioactivity of PET tracers accumulated in the inflamed region. Among these PET tracers, the specificity of [(11)C]Ketoprofen methyl ester was demonstrated by a blocking study. Metabolite analysis in the rat brain revealed that the methyl esters were initially taken up in the brain and then underwent hydrolysis to form pharmacologically active forms of the corresponding acids. Thus, we succeeded in general (11)C-labeling of 2-arylpropionic acids and their methyl esters as PET tracers of NSAIDs to construct a potentially useful PET tracer library for in vivo imaging of inflammation involved in COXs expression.

A quantitative PET imaging method was used to assess the in vivo kinetics of hepatobiliary and renal excretion of the breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) substrate 11 C-SC-62807 in mice. Methods: Serial abdominal PET scans were collected in wild-type and Bcrp knockout (Bcrp -/-) mice after intravenous injection of 11 C-SC-62807. Venous blood samples and PET images were obtained at frequent intervals up to 30 min after radiotracer administration. Dynamic PET data were analyzed to determine the canalicular and brush-border efflux clearances in the liver and kidney (CL int,bile,liver and CL int,urine,kidney , respectively). Results: SC-62807 is an in vitro substrate of mouse Bcrp and human BCRP. Radioactivity associated with 11 C-SC-62807 was predominantly found in the blood, liver, bile, and urine 30 min after administration. Both biliary and urinary excretion of radioactivity was markedly lower in Bcrp -/-mice than in wild-type mice, suggesting greater systemic exposure in Bcrp -/-mice. Both the CL int,bile,liver and the CL int,urine,kidney were significantly lower in Bcrp -/-mice (74% 6 10% and 99% 6 1% lower than controls, respectively). We also found that 11 C-SC-62807 is a substrate of the organic anion-transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 in vitro. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Bcrp plays a significant role in the efflux of 11 C-SC-62807 in mouse liver and kidney. We also demonstrated the feasibility of PET using 11 C-SC-62807 to study the activity of BCRP in humans.

ABSTRACT:11 C-labeled methylbenzoates [ 11 C]4a−d were synthesized using Pd(0)-mediated rapid cross-coupling reactions employing were improved by the use of a 2-fold excess of the solvents and reagents under the same conditions to give respective yields of 66 ± 8, 65 ± 7, and 48 ± 2%.

Neurogenic inflammation triggered by extravasation of plasma protein has been hypothesized as a key factor in the generation of the pain sensation associated with migraine. The principal immune cell that responds to this inflammation is the parenchymal microglia of the central nervous system. Methods: Using a PET technique with 11 , a PET ligand for peripheral type-benzodiazepine receptor, we evaluated the microglial activation in the rat brain after generation of unilateral cortical spreading depression, a stimulation used to bring up an experimental animal model of migraine. Results: We found a significant increase in the brain uptake of 11 C-PK11195, which was completely displaceable by the excess amounts of unlabeled ligands, in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the spreading depressiongenerated rats. Moreover, the binding potential of 11 C-PK11195 in the spreading depression-generated rats was significantly higher than that in the sham-operated control rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that as an inflammatory reaction, microglial cells are activated in response to the nociceptive stimuli induced by cortical spreading depression in the rat brain. Therefore, the 11 C-PK11195 PET technique could have a potential for diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring of neurologic disorders related to neuroinflammation such as migraine.