Protein-based MRI contrast agents for molecular imaging of prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a novel protein-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that has the capability of targeting prostate cancer and which provides high-sensitivity MR imaging in tumor cells and mouse models.


METHODS
A fragment of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) was fused into a protein-based MRI contrast agent (ProCA1) at different regions. MR imaging was obtained in both tumor cells (PC3 and H441) and a tumor mouse model administrated with ProCA1.GRP.


RESULTS
PC3 and DU145 cells treated with ProCA1.GRPs exhibited enhanced signal in MRI. Intratumoral injection of ProCA1.GRP in a PC3 tumor model displayed enhanced MRI signal. The contrast agent was retained in the PC3 tumor up to 48 h post-injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein-based MRI contrast agent with tumor targeting modality can specifically target GRPR-positive prostate cancer. Intratumoral injection of the ProCA1 agent in the prostate cancer mouse model verified the targeting capability of ProCA1.GRP and showed a prolonged retention time in tumors.
Wei
Lixia
L
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Li
Shunyi
S
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Yang
Jianhua
J
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Ye
Yiming
Y
Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
Zou
Jin
J
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Wang
Liya
L
Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Long
Robert
R
Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Zurkiya
Omar
O
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Zhao
Tiejun
T
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Johnson
Julian
J
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Qiao
Jingjuan
J
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Zhou
Wangda
W
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Castiblanco
Adriana
A
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Maor
Natalie
N
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Chen
Yanyi
Y
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
Mao
Hui
H
Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Hu
Xiaoping
X
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Yang
Jenny J
JJ
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA. chejjy@langate.gsu.edu.
Liu
Zhi-Ren
ZR
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003287:Contrast Media; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide