A comparison of three (67/68)Ga-labelled exendin-4 derivatives for β-cell imaging on the GLP-1 receptor: the influence of the conjugation site ofNODAGA as chelator
Abstract
Background
Various diseases derive from pathologically altered β-cells. Their function can be increased, leading to hyperinsulinism, or decreased, resulting in diabetes. Non-invasive imaging of the β-cell-specific glucagon-like peptide receptor-1 (GLP-1R) would allow the assessment of both β-cell mass and derived tumours, potentially improving the diagnosis of various conditions. We tested three new 67/68Ga-labelled derivatives of exendin-4, an agonist of GLP-1R, in vitro and in vivo. We determined the influence of the chelator NODAGA conjugated to resident lysines either at positions 12 and 27 or the C-terminally attached lysine at position 40 on the binding and kinetics of the peptide.
Methods
Binding and internalisation of 67Ga-labelled Ex4NOD12, Ex4NOD27 and Ex4NOD40 were tested on Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells stably transfected to express the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). In vivo biodistribution of 68Ga-labelled peptides was investigated in CD1 nu/nu mice with subcutaneous CHL-GLP-1R positive tumours; the specificity of the binding to GLP-1R was determined by pre-injecting excess peptide.
Results
All peptides showed good in vitro binding affinities to GLP-1R in the range of 29 to 54 nM. 67/68Ga-Ex4NOD40 and 67/68Ga-Ex4NOD12 show excellent internalisation (>30%) and high specific uptake in GLP-1R positive tissue, but high activity was also found in the kidneys.
Conclusions
We show that of the three peptides, Ga-Ex4NOD40 and Ga-Ex4NOD12 demonstrate the most favourable in vitro properties and in vivo binding to GLP-1R positive tissue. Therefore, we conclude that the lysines at positions 12 and 40 might preferentially be utilised for modifying exendin-4. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000096359Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
EJNMMI ResarchVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
Exendin-4; β-cell imaging; GLP-1 receptor; Insulinoma; PET; SPECTOrganisational unit
03688 - Schibli, Roger / Schibli, Roger
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