This revised proposal describes the mechanism of binding in ex vivo, and in vivo models between small molecules and negatively charged polysaccharides, and applies its findings to the development of new X- ray computed tomography (CT) contrast agents for imaging articular cartilage. Specifically, we expand on our recent reports (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 2469-2471; Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2010, 18, 184- 191; J. Orthopaedic Res., 2011, 29, 704-709; Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2011, in press/on line) of using cationic iodinated contrast agents for CT imaging of negatively-charged glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in articular cartilage. Clinically today, cartilage is not imaged using CT and several research groups are exploring the use of known CT contrast agents, which possess an overall anionic charge, to image GAGs. We hypothesize that the use of a cationic contrast agent will result in a more sensitive technique for imaging cartilage due to its affinity or the negatively-charged GAGs. Importantly, we have preliminary data demonstrating that these cationic iodinated contrast agents bind GAG in a GAG concentration dependent manner and can be used for ex vivo and in vivo imaging of cartilage via X-ray CT.
The specific aims of this proposal are:
Aim 1 : Synthesize a series of cationic, anionic, and neutral iodinated CT contrast agents, Aim 2: Determine the kinetics and binding affinities of the CT contrast agents to GAGs present in ex vivo cartilage tissue, Aim 3: Ascertain the correlation of CT attenuation vs. GAG concentration and develop a quantitative relationship, Aim 4: (A) Perform serial in vivo contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) imaging of rabbit knees before and after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection to demonstrate the ability of CECT using cationic contrast agents to measure progressive changes in cartilage GAG compared to direct measurements after sacrifice, (B) Perform pharmacokinetic/toxicity studies in New Zealand White rabbits. Successful completion of these studies will result in: 1) the development of structure-activity relationships and design requirements for highly sensitive cartilage CT imaging agents for quantitative measurements of GAG; 2) imaging of healthy and degraded cartilage in vivo; 3) the pharmacokinetic profile of the contrast agent after administration; and 4) collection of robust data for analysis, discussion, and further hypothesis generation.

Public Health Relevance

The study of the binding of small molecules to biologics is of fundamental importance, and the results of such studies are applicable to many areas of medicine - including medical imaging. This proposal investigates the design, synthesis and characterization of novel computed tomography contrast agents for binding and imaging of the glycosaminoglycans present in cartilage.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM098361-04
Application #
8824946
Study Section
Synthetic and Biological Chemistry A Study Section (SBCA)
Program Officer
Marino, Pamela
Project Start
2012-03-05
Project End
2016-01-31
Budget Start
2015-02-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$274,341
Indirect Cost
$84,341
Name
Boston University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
049435266
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Stewart, Rachel C; Honkanen, Juuso T J; Kokkonen, Harri T et al. (2017) Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Enables Quantitative Evaluation of Tissue Properties at Intrajoint Regions in Cadaveric Knee Cartilage. Cartilage 8:391-399
Lakin, Benjamin A; Snyder, Brian D; Grinstaff, Mark W (2017) Assessing Cartilage Biomechanical Properties: Techniques for Evaluating the Functional Performance of Cartilage in Health and Disease. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 19:27-55
Stewart, Rachel C; Patwa, Amit N; Lusic, Hrvoje et al. (2017) Synthesis and Preclinical Characterization of a Cationic Iodinated Imaging Contrast Agent (CA4+) and Its Use for Quantitative Computed Tomography of Ex Vivo Human Hip Cartilage. J Med Chem 60:5543-5555
Oh, Daniel J; Lakin, Benjamin A; Stewart, Rachel C et al. (2017) Contrast-enhanced CT imaging as a non-destructive tool for ex vivo examination of the biochemical content and structure of the human meniscus. J Orthop Res 35:1018-1028
Honkanen, Juuso T J; Turunen, Mikael J; Freedman, Jonathan D et al. (2016) Cationic Contrast Agent Diffusion Differs Between Cartilage and Meniscus. Ann Biomed Eng 44:2913-2921
Lakin, Benjamin A; Patel, Harsh; Holland, Conor et al. (2016) Contrast-enhanced CT using a cationic contrast agent enables non-destructive assessment of the biochemical and biomechanical properties of mouse tibial plateau cartilage. J Orthop Res 34:1130-8
Lakin, B A; Ellis, D J; Shelofsky, J S et al. (2015) Contrast-enhanced CT facilitates rapid, non-destructive assessment of cartilage and bone properties of the human metacarpal. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 23:2158-2166
Freedman, Jonathan D; Lusic, Hrvoje; Wiewiorski, Martin et al. (2015) A cationic gadolinium contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage. Chem Commun (Camb) 51:11166-11169
Entezari, Vahid; Bansal, Prashant N; Stewart, Rachel C et al. (2014) Effect of mechanical convection on the partitioning of an anionic iodinated contrast agent in intact patellar cartilage. J Orthop Res 32:1333-40
Freedman, Jonathan D; Lusic, Hrvoje; Snyder, Brian D et al. (2014) Tantalum oxide nanoparticles for the imaging of articular cartilage using X-ray computed tomography: visualization of ex vivo/in vivo murine tibia and ex vivo human index finger cartilage. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 53:8406-10

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