Abstract:
ObjectiveArg-Gly-Asp (RGD) or Ala-Thr-Trp-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg (ATWLPPR) peptide binds specifically to integrin αvβ3 or neuropilin-1(NRP-1) receptor, respectively.In this study, a novel heterodimer peptide probe containing both RGD and ATWLPPR was designed in one molecule.The in vitro and in vivo biological behavior of the dual-targeted imaging probe RGD-ATWLPPR was compared with its corresponding counterparts.
Methods18F labeling was conducted through 18F-FAl approach.In the integrin αvβ3-positive U87MG human glioma cell line, the αvβ3/NRP-1 receptor binding affinity of RGD-ATWLPPR was tested and compared with its counterparts RGD and ATWLPPR.The tumor uptake and distribution pattern of 18F-labeled RGD-ATWLPPR through PET imaging was evaluated and compared with those of RGD and ATWLPPR.The means were compared using one-way ANOVA and t test.
ResultsBoth integrin αvβ3 and NRP-1 showed high expression in U87MG glioma cells and tumor tissues.RGD-ATWLPPR exhibited similar in vitro receptor binding affinity to those of RGD and ATWLPPR.Based on the PET imaging study, 18F-labeled RGD-ATWLPPR (denoted as 18F-FAl-NOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR) demonstrated significantly higher tumor uptake than RGD(4.86±0.48)% ID/g vs.(3.33±0.15)% ID/g, t=10.21, P < 0.05and ATWLPPR(4.86±0.48)% ID/g vs.(2.28±0.41)% ID/g, t=32.16, P < 0.05.In the blocking study, 18F-FAl-NOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR showed positive imaging result in the presence of excess unlabeled RGD or ATWLPPR.The tumor uptake decreased to the background level when unlabeled RGD and ATWLPPR were co-injected before administration of 18F-FAl-NOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR.
ConclusionsThe dual-targeted PET probe 18F-FAl-NOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR specifically binds to either integrin αvβ3 or NRP-1 receptor and could be a promising PET imaging agent for NRP-1-/αvβ3+and NRP-1+/αvβ3-tumors.The receptor-binding affinity of RGD-ATWLPPR must be further improved.