Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role as a biological
signaling
molecule, presenting challenges in its specific detection and differentiation
from other reactive nitrogen and oxygen species within living organisms.
Herein, a 18F-labeled (fluorine-18, t
1/2 = 109.7 min) small-molecule tracer dimethyl 4-(4-(4-[18F]fluorobutoxy)benzyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate
([18F]BDHP) is developed based on the dihydropyridine scaffold
for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of NO in vivo. [18F]BDHP exhibits a highly sensitive and efficient
C–C cleavage reaction specifically triggered by NO under physiological
conditions, leading to the production of a 18F-labeled
radical that is readily retained within the cells. High uptakes of
[18F]BDHP are found within and around NO-generating cells,
such as macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide or benzo(a)pyrene.
MicroPET/CT imaging of arthritic animal model mice reveals distinct
tracer accumulation in the arthritic legs, showcasing a higher distribution
of NO compared with the control legs. In summary, a specific radical-generating
dihydropyridine tracer with a unique radical retention strategy has
been established for the marking of NO in real-time in vivo.