Redox- and hypoxia-responsive MRI contrast agents

ChemMedChem. 2014 Jun;9(6):1116-29. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201402034. Epub 2014 May 13.

Abstract

The development of responsive or "smart" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that can report specific biomarker or biological events has been the focus of MRI contrast agent research over the past 20 years. Among various biological hallmarks of interest, tissue redox and hypoxia are particularly important owing to their roles in disease states and metabolic consequences. Herein we review the development of redox-/hypoxia-sensitive T1 shortening and paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) MRI contrast agents. Traditionally, the relaxivity of redox-sensitive Gd(3+) -based complexes is modulated through changes in the ligand structure or molecular rotation, while PARACEST sensors exploit the sensitivity of the metal-bound water exchange rate to electronic effects of the ligand-pendant arms and alterations in the coordination geometry. Newer designs involve complexes of redox-active metal ions in which the oxidation states have different magnetic properties. The challenges of translating redox- and hypoxia-sensitive agents in vivo are also addressed.

Keywords: PARACEST; hypoxia; imaging agents; magnetic resonance imaging; redox chemistry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Contrast Media / chemistry*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetics
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Metals