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The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a viable target for imaging of inflammation in brain. In the recent past we have explored a pharmacophore skeleton acetamidobenzoxazolone for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of TSPO expression in brain. Here we evaluated a new radioligand for visualization of TSPO, namely [11C]N-(2-methoxyoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-2-(5-nitro-2-oxobenzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-yl)acetamide ([11C]N′-MPB). This PET ligand exhibited high binding affinity towards TSPO (Ki = 4.9 nM) and a suitable lipophilicity (log D) of 2.08 for brain imaging. A biodistribution study on mice showed high accumulation of radioactivity in TSPO-rich organs, such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Metabolite analysis of rat brain homogenate showed 98% intact [11C]N′-MPB at 30 min after injection. To determine the specific binding of the radioligand with TSPO on neuroinflammation of the brain, in vitro autoradiography and PET studies were performed in an ischemic rat model. In vitro autoradiography indicated significantly increased binding on the ipsilateral side compared with that on the contralateral side of ischemic rat brains. This result was supported firmly by the contrast of radioactivity in PET images. Displacement experiments with PK11195 minimized the difference in radioactivity uptake between the two sides. In summary, [11C]N′-MPB is a potential PET imaging radioligand for TSPO and, consequently, for gaining more insight for up-regulation of microglia during neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An elevated translocator protein (18 kDa, TSPO) density is observed during inflammation in the brain and peripheral organs making it a viable target for imaging. Recently, our group has explored a pharmacophore skeleton acetamidobenzoxazolone for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) applications to target TSPO. 2-(2-(5-Bromo/chloro benzoxazolone)acetamide)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propionate (MBIP-Br/Cl) were synthesized by using tryptophan methyl ester and compared with 2-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,3-benzoxazol-3(2H)-yl]-N-methyl-N-phenyl acetamide (MBMP) through tracer techniques. Computational docking showed similar results for MBIP-Br/Cl in comparison to MBMP. Their ex vivo and in vivo biodistributions were assessed in TSPO-rich organs as well as their release kinetics 0–120 min post injection. The ex vivo biodistribution showed a 7 fold higher uptake (5.16%ID per g vs. 0.72%ID per g) in the heart and a 2.5 fold higher uptake (12.91%ID per g vs. 4.69%ID per g) in the lungs for 99mTc-MBIP-Cl compared to that of 99mTc-MBIP-Br at 15 min. These findings demonstrated that 99mTc-MBIP-Cl has improved pharmacokinetic properties compared to 99mTc-MBIP-Br for SPECT application and is comparable to [11C]MBMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]