Siderophore-mediated iron acquisition is essential for the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus causing life-threatening aspergillosis. Drugs targeting the siderophore biosynthetic pathway could help improve disease management. The transacetylases SidF and SidL generate intermediates for different siderophores in A. fumigatus. A. fumigatus has a yet unidentified transacetylase that complements SidL during iron deficiency in SidL-lacking mutants. We present the first X-ray structure of SidF, revealing a two-domain architecture with tetrameric assembly. The N-terminal domain contributes to protein solubility and oligomerization, while the C-terminal domain containing the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) motif is crucial for the enzymatic activity and mediates oligomer formation. Notably, AlphaFold modelling demonstrates structural similarity between SidF and SidL. Enzymatic assays showed that SidF can utilize acetyl-CoA as a donor, previously thought to be a substrate of SidL but not SidF, and selectively uses N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine as an acceptor. This study elucidates the structure of SidF and reveals its role in siderophore biosynthesis. We propose SidF as the unknown transacetylase complementing SidL activity, highlighting its central role in A. fumigatus siderophore biosynthesis. Investigation of this uncharacterized GNAT protein enhances our understanding of fungal virulence and holds promise for its potential application in developing antifungal therapies.
- Klíčová slova
- GNATs, SAXS, SidF, Siderophore, X-ray crystallography,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Background/Objectives: PET imaging of bacterial infection could potentially provide added benefits for patient care through non-invasive means. [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B-a radiolabelled siderophore-shows specific uptake by human-pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa and sufficient serum stability for clinical application. In this report, we present data for automated production of [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B on two different cassette-based synthesis modules (Modular-Lab PharmTracer and GRP 3V) utilising commercially obtainable cassettes together with a licensed 68Ge/68Ga radionuclide generator. Methods: Quality control, including the determination of radiochemical purity, as well as a system suitability test, was set up via RP-HPLC on a C18 column. The two described production processes use an acetic acid/acetate buffer system with ascorbic acid as a radical scavenger for radiolabelling, yielding ready-to-use formulations with sufficient activity yield. Results: Batch data analysis demonstrated radiochemical purity of >95% by RP-HPLC combined with ITLC and excellent stability up to 2 h after synthesis. Specifications for routine production were set up and validated with four masterbatches for each synthesis module. Conclusions: Based on this study, an academic clinical trial for imaging of bacterial infection was initiated. Both described synthesis methods enable automated production of [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B in-house with high reproducibility for clinical application.
- Klíčová slova
- PET, desferrioxamine B, gallium-68, imaging, infection, validation,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus utilizes a cyclic ferrioxamine E (FOXE) siderophore to acquire iron from the host. Biomimetic FOXE analogues were labeled with gallium-68 for molecular imaging with PET. [68Ga]Ga(III)-FOXE analogues were internalized in A. fumigatus cells via Sit1. Uptake of [68Ga]Ga(III)-FOX 2-5, the most structurally alike analogue to FOXE, was high by both A. fumigatus and bacterial Staphylococcus aureus. However, altering the ring size provoked species-specific uptake between these two microbes: ring size shortening by one methylene unit (FOX 2-4) increased uptake by A. fumigatus compared to that by S. aureus, whereas lengthening the ring (FOX 2-6 and 3-5) had the opposite effect. These results were consistent both in vitro and in vivo, including PET imaging in infection models. Overall, this study provided valuable structural insights into the specificity of siderophore uptake and, for the first time, opened up ways for selective targeting and imaging of microbial pathogens by siderophore derivatization.
- MeSH
- Aspergillus fumigatus * metabolismus chemie MeSH
- aspergilóza * diagnostické zobrazování mikrobiologie MeSH
- biomimetické materiály chemie metabolismus MeSH
- cyklické peptidy MeSH
- deferoxamin chemie MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- myši MeSH
- pozitronová emisní tomografie * metody MeSH
- radioizotopy galia * chemie MeSH
- siderofory * chemie metabolismus MeSH
- Staphylococcus aureus * metabolismus MeSH
- železité sloučeniny chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- cyklické peptidy MeSH
- deferoxamin MeSH
- ferrioxamine E MeSH Prohlížeč
- Gallium-68 MeSH Prohlížeč
- radioizotopy galia * MeSH
- siderofory * MeSH
- železité sloučeniny MeSH
Fungal infections are a serious threat, especially for immunocompromised patients. Early and reliable diagnosis is crucial to treat such infections. The bacterially produced siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFO-B) is utilized by a variety of microorganisms for iron acquisition, while mammalian cells lack the uptake of DFO-B chelates. DFO-B is clinically approved for a variety of long-term chelation therapies. Recently, DFO-B-complexed gallium-68 ([68Ga]Ga-DFO-B) was shown to enable molecular imaging of bacterial infections by positron emission tomography (PET). Here, we demonstrate that [68Ga]Ga-DFO-B can also be used for the preclinical molecular imaging of pulmonary infection caused by the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus in a rat aspergillosis model. Moreover, by combining in vitro uptake studies and the chemical modification of DFO-B, we show that the cellular transport efficacy of ferrioxamine-type siderophores is impacted by the charge of the molecule and, consequently, the environmental pH. The chemical derivatization has potential implications for its diagnostic use and characterizes transport features of ferrioxamine-type siderophores.
- Klíčová slova
- Aspergillus fumigatus, PET, desferrioxamine B, gallium-68, imaging, infection, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, pH, positron emission tomography, siderophore,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening form of fungal infection, primarily in immunocompromised patients and associated with significant mortality. Diagnostic procedures are often invasive and/or time consuming and existing antifungals can be constrained by dose-limiting toxicity and drug interaction. In this study, we modified triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC), the main siderophore produced by the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), with antifungal molecules to perform antifungal susceptibility tests and molecular imaging. A variation of small organic molecules (eflornithine, fludioxonil, thiomersal, fluoroorotic acid (FOA), cyanine 5 (Cy5) with antifungal activity were coupled to diacetylfusarinine C (DAFC), resulting in a "Trojan horse" to deliver antifungal compounds specifically into A. fumigatus hyphae by the major facilitator transporter MirB. Radioactive labeling with gallium-68 allowed us to perform in vitro characterization (distribution coefficient, stability, uptake assay) as well as biodistribution experiments and PET/CT imaging in an IPA rat infection model. Compounds chelated with stable gallium were used for antifungal susceptibility tests. [Ga]DAFC-fludioxonil, -FOA, and -Cy5 revealed a MirB-dependent active uptake with fungal growth inhibition at 16 µg/mL after 24 h. Visualization of an A. fumigatus infection in lungs of a rat was possible with gallium-68-labeled compounds using PET/CT. Heterogeneous biodistribution patterns revealed the immense influence of the antifungal moiety conjugated to DAFC. Overall, novel antifungal siderophore conjugates with promising fungal growth inhibition and the possibility to perform PET imaging combine both therapeutic and diagnostic potential in a theranostic compound for IPA caused by A. fumigatus.
- Klíčová slova
- Aspergillus fumigatus, PET/CT, TAFC, antifungal, antifungal susceptibility testing, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, siderophore, theranostics,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis are life-threatening diseases mainly affecting immuno-compromised patients. The diagnosis of fungal infections is difficult, lacking specificity and sensitivity. This review covers findings on the preclinical use of siderophores for the molecular imaging of infections. Siderophores are low molecular mass chelators produced by bacteria and fungi to scavenge the essential metal iron. Replacing iron in siderophores by radionuclides such as gallium-68 allowed the targeted imaging of infection by positron emission tomography (PET). The proof of principle was the imaging of pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection using [68Ga]Ga-triacetylfusarinine C. Recently, this approach was expanded to imaging of bacterial infections, i.e., with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the conjugation of siderophores and fluorescent dyes enabled the generation of hybrid imaging compounds, allowing the combination of PET and optical imaging. Nevertheless, the high potential of these imaging probes still awaits translation into clinics.
- Klíčová slova
- bacterial, fluorescence, fungal, imaging, infection, positron emission tomography, siderophore,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Hybrid imaging combining the beneficial properties of radioactivity and optical imaging within one imaging probe has gained increasing interest in radiopharmaceutical research. In this study, we modified the macrocyclic gallium-68 chelator fusarinine C (FSC) by conjugating a fluorescent moiety and tetrazine (Tz) moieties. The resulting hybrid imaging agents were used for pretargeting applications utilizing click reactions with a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) tagged targeting vector for a proof of principle both in vitro and in vivo. Starting from FSC, the fluorophores Sulfocyanine-5, Sulfocyanine-7, or IRDye800CW were conjugated, followed by introduction of one or two Tz motifs, resulting in mono and dimeric Tz conjugates. Evaluation included fluorescence microscopy, binding studies, logD, protein binding, in vivo biodistribution, µPET (micro-positron emission tomography), and optical imaging (OI) studies. 68Ga-labeled conjugates showed suitable hydrophilicity, high stability, and specific targeting properties towards Rituximab-TCO pre-treated CD20 expressing Raji cells. Biodistribution studies showed fast clearance and low accumulation in non-targeted organs for both SulfoCy5- and IRDye800CW-conjugates. In an alendronate-TCO based bone targeting model the dimeric IRDye800CW-conjugate resulted in specific targeting using PET and OI, superior to the monomer. This proof of concept study showed that the preparation of FSC-Tz hybrid imaging agents for pretargeting applications is feasible, making such compounds suitable for hybrid imaging applications.
- Klíčová slova
- PET, click chemistry, fluorescence, fusarinine C, gallium-68, optical imaging,
- MeSH
- fluorescenční protilátková technika MeSH
- kyseliny hydroxamové * chemie MeSH
- multimodální zobrazování * metody MeSH
- optické zobrazování metody MeSH
- ověření koncepční studie MeSH
- pozitronová emisní tomografie MeSH
- radiofarmaka * chemie MeSH
- radioizotopy galia MeSH
- radionuklidy MeSH
- syntetická chemie okamžité shody MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- železité sloučeniny * chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fusigen MeSH Prohlížeč
- Gallium-68 MeSH Prohlížeč
- kyseliny hydroxamové * MeSH
- radiofarmaka * MeSH
- radioizotopy galia MeSH
- radionuklidy MeSH
- železité sloučeniny * MeSH
Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a human pathogen causing severe invasive fungal infections, lacking sensitive and selective diagnostic tools. A. fumigatus secretes the siderophore desferri-triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) to acquire iron from the human host. TAFC can be labelled with gallium-68 to perform positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scans. Here, we aimed to chemically modify TAFC with fluorescent dyes to combine PET/CT with optical imaging for hybrid imaging applications. Starting from ferric diacetylfusarinine C ([Fe]DAFC), different fluorescent dyes were conjugated (Cy5, SulfoCy5, SulfoCy7, IRDye 800CW, ATTO700) and labelled with gallium-68 for in vitro and in vivo characterisation. Uptake assays, growth assays and live-cell imaging as well as biodistribution, PET/CT and ex vivo optical imaging in an infection model was performed. Novel fluorophore conjugates were recognized by the fungal TAFC transporter MirB and could be utilized as iron source. Fluorescence microscopy showed partial accumulation into hyphae. µPET/CT scans of an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) rat model revealed diverse biodistribution patterns for each fluorophore. [68Ga]Ga-DAFC-Cy5/SufloCy7 and -IRDye 800CW lead to a visualization of the infected region of the lung. Optical imaging of ex vivo lungs corresponded to PET images with high contrast of infection versus non-infected areas. Although fluorophores had a decisive influence on targeting and pharmacokinetics, these siderophores have potential as a hybrid imaging compounds combining PET/CT with optical imaging applications.
- Klíčová slova
- PET, fluorescence microscopy, gallium-68, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, near infrared, siderophores,
- MeSH
- Aspergillus fumigatus MeSH
- fluorescenční barviva MeSH
- fluorescenční mikroskopie MeSH
- invazivní plicní aspergilóza diagnostické zobrazování mikrobiologie MeSH
- kompetitivní vazba MeSH
- koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- PET/CT MeSH
- potkani inbrední LEW MeSH
- radioizotopy galia chemie MeSH
- siderofory metabolismus MeSH
- vazba proteinů MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fluorescenční barviva MeSH
- Gallium-68 MeSH Prohlížeč
- radioizotopy galia MeSH
- siderofory MeSH
PURPOSE: Aspergillus fumigatus produces the siderophore triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) for iron acquisition which is essential for its virulence. Therefore, TAFC is a specific marker for invasive aspergillosis. We have shown previously that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [68Ga]TAFC exhibited excellent targeting properties in an A. fumigatus rat infection model. In this study, we aimed to prepare TAFC analogs modifying fusarinine C (FSC) by acylation with different carbon chain lengths as well as with charged substituents and investigated the influence of introduced substituents on preservation of TAFC characteristics in vitro and in vivo. PROCEDURES: Fifteen TAFC derivatives were prepared and labeled with gallium-68. In vitro uptake assays were carried out in A. fumigatus under iron-replete as well as iron-depleted conditions and distribution coefficient was determined. Based on these assays, three compounds, [68Ga]tripropanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]TPFC), [68Ga]diacetylbutanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]DABuFC), and [68Ga]trisuccinyl(FSC) ([68Ga]FSC(suc)3), with high, medium, and low in vitro uptake in fungal cultures, were selected for further evaluation. Stability and protein binding were evaluated and in vivo imaging performed in the A. fumigatus rat infection model. RESULTS: In vitro uptake studies using A. fumigatus revealed specific uptake of mono- and trisubstituted TAFC derivatives at RT. Lipophilicities as expressed by logD were 0.34 to - 3.80. The selected compounds displayed low protein binding and were stable in PBS and serum. Biodistribution and image contrast in PET/X-ray computed tomography of [68Ga]TPFC and [68Ga]DABuFC were comparable to [68Ga]TAFC, whereas no uptake in the infected region was observed with [68Ga]FSC(suc)3. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies show the possibility to modify TAFC without losing its properties and specific recognition by A. fumigatus. This opens also new ways for multimodality imaging or theranostics of fungal infection by introducing functionalities such as fluorescent dyes or antifungal moieties.
- Klíčová slova
- Aspergillus fumigatus, Gallium-68, Infection imaging, PET, Siderophores, Triacetylfusarinine C,
- MeSH
- Aspergillus fumigatus fyziologie MeSH
- krevní proteiny metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- kyseliny hydroxamové chemie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární zobrazování * MeSH
- mutace genetika MeSH
- mykózy diagnostické zobrazování mikrobiologie MeSH
- myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
- PET/CT MeSH
- plicní aspergilóza diagnostické zobrazování mikrobiologie MeSH
- radioizotopy galia chemie MeSH
- siderofory chemická syntéza chemie MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- vazba proteinů MeSH
- železité sloučeniny chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- Gallium-68 MeSH Prohlížeč
- krevní proteiny MeSH
- kyseliny hydroxamové MeSH
- N,N',N''-triacetylfusarinine C MeSH Prohlížeč
- radioizotopy galia MeSH
- siderofory MeSH
- železité sloučeniny MeSH
Cyclic pentapeptides containing the amino acid sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) have been widely applied to target αvβ3 integrin, which is upregulated in various tumors during tumor-induced angiogenesis. Multimeric cyclic RGD peptides have been reported to be advantageous over monomeric counterparts for angiogenesis imaging. Here, we prepared mono-, di-, and trimeric cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic-D-phenylalanine-lysine (c (RGDfK)) derivatives by conjugation with the natural chelator fusarinine C (FSC) using click chemistry based on copper (I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The αvβ3 binding properties of 68Ga-labeled mono-, di-, and trimeric c(RGDfK) peptides were evaluated in vitro as well as in vivo and compared with the references monomeric [68Ga]GaNODAGA-c(RGDfK) and trimeric [68Ga]GaFSC(suc-c(RGDfK))3. All 68Ga-labeled c(RGDfK) peptides displayed hydrophilicity (logD = -2.96 to -3.80), low protein binding and were stable in phosphate buffered-saline (PBS) and serum up to 2 h. In vitro internalization assays with human melanoma M21 (αvβ3-positive) and M21-L (αvβ3-negative) cell lines showed specific uptake of all derivatives and increased in the series: mono- < di- < trimeric peptide. The highest tumor uptake, tumor-to-background ratios, and image contrast were found for the dimeric [68Ga]GaMAFC(c(RGDfK)aza)2. In conclusion, we developed a novel strategy for direct, straight forward preparation of mono-, di-, and trimeric c(RGDfK) conjugates based on the FSC scaffold. Interestingly, the best αvβ3 imaging properties were found for the dimeric [68Ga]GaMAFC(c(RGDfK)aza)2.
- Klíčová slova
- Angiogenesis, Gallium-68, PET, RGD, α(v)β(3) integrin,
- MeSH
- alkyny chemie MeSH
- azidy chemie MeSH
- cyklické peptidy chemie farmakokinetika MeSH
- izotopové značení MeSH
- měď chemie MeSH
- myši MeSH
- nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
- PET/CT MeSH
- polymerizace MeSH
- radioizotopy galia chemie MeSH
- siderofory chemie MeSH
- syntetická chemie okamžité shody MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alkyny MeSH
- azidy MeSH
- cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide MeSH Prohlížeč
- cyklické peptidy MeSH
- Gallium-68 MeSH Prohlížeč
- měď MeSH
- radioizotopy galia MeSH
- siderofory MeSH
