title: Cell-Permeable Esterase-Activated Ca(II)-Sensitive MRI Contrast Agent.
abstract: Calcium [Ca(II)] is a fundamental transducer of electrical activity in the central nervous system (CNS). Influx of Ca(II) into the cytosol is responsible for action potential initiation and propagation, and initiates interneuronal communication via release of neurotransmitters and activation of gene expression. Despite the importance of Ca(II) in physiology, it remains a challenge to visualize Ca(II) flux in the central nervous system (CNS) in vivo. To address these challenges, we have developed a new generation, Ca(II)-activated MRI contrast agent that utilizes ethyl esters to increase cell labeling and prevent extracellular divalent Ca(II) binding. Following labeling, the ethyl esters can be cleaved, thus allowing the agent to bind Ca(II), increasing relaxivity and resulting in enhanced positive MR image contrast. The ability of this probe to discriminate between extra- and intracellular Ca(II) may allow for spatiotemporal in vivo imaging of Ca(II) flux during seizures or ischemia where large Ca(II) fluxes (1-10 μM) can result in cell death.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208 , United States.
authors.forename: Keith W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: MacRenaris
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208 , United States.
authors.forename: Zhidong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208 , United States.
authors.forename: Ruby L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208 , United States.
authors.forename: Christiane E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208 , United States.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Meade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D004950:Esterases; D002118:Calcium