Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2), which has been successfully used in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and gastric cancer; however, problems concerning its cardiotoxicity, drug resistance, and unpredictable efficacy still remain. Herein, we constructed novel organic dopamine–melanin nanoparticles (dMNs) as a carrier and then surface-loaded them with trastuzumab to construct a multifunctional nanoprobe named Her-PEG-dMNPs. We used micro-PET/CT and PET/MRI multimodality imaging to evaluate the retention effect of the nanoprobe in HER2 expression in gastric cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice models after labeling of the radionuclides 64Cu or 124I and MRI contrast agent Mn2+. The nanoprobes can specifically target the HER2-expressing SKOV-3 cells in vitro (3.61 ± 0.74 vs. 1.24 ± 0.43 for 2 h, P = 0.002). In vivo, micro-PET/CT and PET/MRI showed that the 124I-labeled nanoprobe had greater contrast and retention effect in PDX models than unloaded dMNPs as carrier (1.63 ± 0.07 vs. 0.90 ± 0.04 at 24 h, P = 0.002), a similarity found in 64Cu-labeled Her-PEG-dMNPs. Because 124I has a longer half-life and matches the pharmacokinetics of the nanoparticles, we focused on the further evaluation of 124I-Her-PEG-dMNPs. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry staining confirmed the overexpression of HER2 in the animal model. This study developed and validated novel HER2-specific multimodality imaging nanoprobes for quantifying HER2 expression in mice. Through the strong retention effect of the tumor site, it can be used for the promotion of monoclonal antibody treatment effect and process monitoring.
Li Dan,Ding Jin,Liu Te-li,Wang Feng,Meng Xiang-xi,Liu Song,Yang Zhi,Zhu Hua
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of human respiratory epithelial cells, which leads to infection. Furthermore, low-dose radiation has been found to reduce inflammation and aid the curing of COVID-19. The receptor binding domain (RBD), a recombinant spike protein with a His tag at the C-terminus, binds to ACE2 in human body. We thus constructed a radioiodinated RBD as a molecule-targeted probe to non-invasively explore ACE2 expression in vivo, and to investigate radiotherapy pathway for inhibiting ACE2. RBD was labeled with [ 124 I]NaI using an N-bromosuccinimide (NBS)-mediated method, and 124 I-RBD was obtained after purification with a specific activity of 28.9 GBq/nmol. Its radiochemical purity was (RCP) over 90% in saline for 5 days. The dissociation constant of 124 I-RBD binding to hACE2 was 75.7 nM. The uptake of 124 I-RBD by HeLa ACE+ cells at 2 h was 2.96% ± 0.35%, which could be substantially blocked by an excessive amount of RBD, and drop to 1.71% ± 0.23%. In BALB/c mice, the biodistribution of 124 I-RBD after intravenous injection showed a moderate metabolism rate, and its 24 h-post injection (p.i.) organ distribution was similar to the expression profile in body. Micro-PET imaging of mice after intrapulmonary injection showed high uptake of lung at 1, 4, 24 h p.i.. In conclusion, the experimental results demonstrate the potential of 124 I-RBD as a novel targeted molecular probe for COVID-19. This probe may be used for non-invasive ACE2 mapping in mammals.