Influence of an aliphatic linker between DOTA and synthetic Z(HER2:342) Affibody molecule on targeting properties of the (111)In-labeled conjugate

• Introduction: Affibody molecules are small (similar to 6.5 kDa) scaffold proteins suitable for radionuclide imaging of rumor-associated molecular targets. Site-specific labeling of Affibody molecules made by peptide synthesis can be achieved by coupling a chelator to N-terminus in the last synthesis step. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of a 6-aminohexanoic linker between DOTA and Z(HER2:342) on targeting properties of (111)In-labeled conjugate. Methods: A DOTA-conjugated 6-aminohexanoic linker-containing variant Of Z(HER2:342) (ABY-003) was produced by peptide synthesis, and the in vitro binding affinity, specificity and cellular processing were evaluated. The biodistribution of (111)In-ABY-003 in normal mice was compared to (111)In-ABY-002 (DOTA-Z(HER2:342-pep2)) lacking the linker. Tumor-targeting properties of (111)In-ABY-003 were evaluated in mice bearing HER2-expressing xenografts. Results: The dissociation constant of ABY-003 was in the low picomolar range, slightly higher than for ABY-002. (111)In-ABY-003 bound specifically to HER2-expressing cells in vitro. The cellular retention was efficient but slightly worse than for (111)In-ABY-002. In normal mice, the clearance of (111)In-ABY-003 from blood and other tissues was slightly but significantly faster compared to (111)In-ABY-002. Targeting of HER2-expressing xenografts by (111)In-ABY-003 was receptor-specific. Due to faster clearance, the tumor-to-blood ratio for (111)In-ABY-003 at 4 h postinjection was improved compared to (111)In-ABY-002. The capacity of (111)In-ABY-003 to visualize HER2-expressing tumors was confirmed by gamma camera imaging. Conclusions: A 6-aminohexanoic linker between the DOTA chelator and N-terminus of synthetic Z(HER2:342) had a measurable effect on affinity, cellular retention of radioactivity and blood clearance. The linker might be used for modulation of targeting properties of Affibody molecules.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Affibody molecule

DOTA

Indium-111

Aminohexanoic acid

Linker

Targeting

Radiological research

Radiologisk forskning

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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