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EJNMMI Research
Published in: EJNMMI Research 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Positron Emission Tomography | Original research

Blocking of efflux transporters in rats improves translational validation of brain radioligands

Authors: Vladimir Shalgunov, Mengfei Xiong, Elina T. L’Estrade, Nakul R. Raval, Ida V. Andersen, Fraser G. Edgar, Nikolaj R. Speth, Simone L. Baerentzen, Hanne D. Hansen, Lene L. Donovan, Arafat Nasser, Siv T. Peitersen, Andreas Kjaer, Gitte M. Knudsen, Stina Syvänen, Mikael Palner, Matthias M. Herth

Published in: EJNMMI Research | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging technique that can be used to investigate the in vivo pharmacology of drugs. Initial preclinical evaluation of PET tracers is often conducted in rodents due to the accessibility of disease models as well as economic considerations. Compared to larger species, rodents display a higher expression and/or activity of efflux transporters such as the P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Low brain uptake could, therefore, be species-specific and uptake in rodents not be predictive for that in humans. We hypothesized that a better prediction from rodent data could be achieved when a tracer is evaluated under P-gp inhibition. Consequently, we compared the performance of eight neuroreceptor tracers in rats with and without P-gp inhibition including a specific binding blockade. This data set was then used to predict the binding of these eight tracers in pigs.

Methods

PET tracers targeting serotonin 5-HT2A receptors ([18F]MH.MZ, [18F]Altanserin, [11C]Cimbi-36, [11C]Pimavanserin), serotonin 5-HT7 receptors ([11C]Cimbi-701, [11C]Cimbi-717 and [11C]BA-10) and dopamine D2/3 receptors ([18F]Fallypride) were used in the study. The brain uptake and target-specific binding of these PET radiotracers were evaluated in rats with and without inhibition of P-gp. Rat data were subsequently compared to the results obtained in pigs.

Results

Without P-gp inhibition, the amount of target-specific binding in the rat brain was sufficient to justify further translation for three out of eight evaluated tracers. With P-gp inhibition, results for five out of eight tracers justified further translation. The performance in pigs could correctly be predicted for six out of eight tracers when rat data obtained under P-gp inhibition were used, compared to four out of eight tracers without P-gp inhibition.

Conclusions

P-gp strongly affects the uptake of PET tracers in rodents, but false prediction outcomes can be reduced by evaluating a tracer under P-gp inhibition.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Blocking of efflux transporters in rats improves translational validation of brain radioligands
Authors
Vladimir Shalgunov
Mengfei Xiong
Elina T. L’Estrade
Nakul R. Raval
Ida V. Andersen
Fraser G. Edgar
Nikolaj R. Speth
Simone L. Baerentzen
Hanne D. Hansen
Lene L. Donovan
Arafat Nasser
Siv T. Peitersen
Andreas Kjaer
Gitte M. Knudsen
Stina Syvänen
Mikael Palner
Matthias M. Herth
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
EJNMMI Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2191-219X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-020-00718-x

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