Receptor mediated endocytosis type magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining an enhanced MR image of an organ or tissue of an animal or human subject which comprises:
- (a) administering to such a subject an effective amount of a colloidal biodegradable superparamagnetic contrast agent in a physiologically acceptable medium such that an image-enhancing amount of such contrast agent can be internalized by selected cells of a tissue or organ by receptor mediated endocytosis, said contrast agent comprising (1) biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide particles, physically or chemically joined with (2) a ligand, wherein such metal oxide particlescomprise one or more individual biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide crystals, andare capable of being biodegraded in such subject, as evidenced by a return of proton relaxation rates of an affected organ or tissue to preadministration levels, within 30 days of administration; and
wherein such ligandis a macromolecule selected from the group consisting of;
(i) a low density lipoprotein, (ii) a serum protein, (iii) transferrin, (iv) a hormone, (v) a monosaccharide, (vi) a polysaccharide, (vii) insulin and (viii) a macromolecule species conjugate, which macromolecular species conjugate comprises two macromolecular species conjugated together, a first macromolecular species which is selected from one of the foregoing macromolecules, (i) through (viii), and a second macromolecular species, such second macromolecular species being physically or chemically joined with the metal oxide particles,is recognized by a receptor other than an asialoglycoprotein receptor, andis internalized, thereby permitting said metal oxide particles to be internalized, by selected cells of said organ or tissue by receptor mediated endocytosis; and
(b) recording such MR image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A new class of magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents are described whose in vivo biodistribution is based upon the ability of certain cells to recognize and internalize macromolecules, including the MR contrast agents of the present invention, via a process which substantially involves receptor mediated endocytosis. The RME-type MR contrast agents described herein comprised of biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxides associated with a variety of macromolecular species, including but not limited to, serum proteins, hormones, asialoglycoproteins, galactose-terminal species, polysaccharides, arabinogalactan, or conjugates of these molecules with other polymeric substances such as a poly(organosilane) and dextran. One of the advantages of these MR contrast agents is that they may be selectively directed to those cells which bear receptors for a particular macromolecule or ligand and are capable of undergoing receptor mediated endocytosis. An MR contrast agent prepared from biodegradable superparamagnetic iron oxide and asialofetuin, or more preferably arabinogalactan, for example, is selectively localized in the hepatocytesurf the liver with no significant accumulation in the spleen. An MR experiment which can be carried out shortly after administration to the subject of the contrast agents of the invention can thus provide a method for obtaining an enhanced MR image, as well as valuable information regarding the functional or metabolic state of the organ or tissue under examination. Preparative methods, biodistribution data, and time function MR images are further provided.
33 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining an enhanced MR image of an organ or tissue of an animal or human subject which comprises:
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(a) administering to such a subject an effective amount of a colloidal biodegradable superparamagnetic contrast agent in a physiologically acceptable medium such that an image-enhancing amount of such contrast agent can be internalized by selected cells of a tissue or organ by receptor mediated endocytosis, said contrast agent comprising (1) biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide particles, physically or chemically joined with (2) a ligand, wherein such metal oxide particles comprise one or more individual biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide crystals, and are capable of being biodegraded in such subject, as evidenced by a return of proton relaxation rates of an affected organ or tissue to preadministration levels, within 30 days of administration; and wherein such ligand is a macromolecule selected from the group consisting of; (i) a low density lipoprotein, (ii) a serum protein, (iii) transferrin, (iv) a hormone, (v) a monosaccharide, (vi) a polysaccharide, (vii) insulin and (viii) a macromolecule species conjugate, which macromolecular species conjugate comprises two macromolecular species conjugated together, a first macromolecular species which is selected from one of the foregoing macromolecules, (i) through (viii), and a second macromolecular species, such second macromolecular species being physically or chemically joined with the metal oxide particles, is recognized by a receptor other than an asialoglycoprotein receptor, and is internalized, thereby permitting said metal oxide particles to be internalized, by selected cells of said organ or tissue by receptor mediated endocytosis; and (b) recording such MR image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A composition of matter comprising (1) colloidal biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide particles, physically or chemically joined with (2) a ligand,
wherein such metal oxide particles: -
comprise one or more individual biodegradable superparamagnetic metal oxide crystals, and are capable of being biodegraded in such subject, as evidenced by a return of proton relaxation rates of an affected organ or tissue to preadministration levels, within 30 days of administration; and wherein such ligand; is a macromolecule selected from the group consisting of; (i) a low density lipoprotein, (ii) a serum protein, (iii) transferrin (iv) a hormone, (v) a monosaccharide, (vi) a polysaccharide, (vii) insulin and (viii) a macromolecule species conjugate, which macromolecular species conjugate comprises two macromolecular species conjugated together, a first macromolecular species which is selected from one of the foregoing macromolecules (i) through (viii), and a second macromolecular species, such second macromolecular species being physically or chemically joined with the metal oxide particles, is capable of being recognized by a receptor other than the asialoglycoprotein receptor, and is capable of being internalized, thereby making said metal oxide particles capable of being internalized, by selected cells of said organ or tissue by receptor mediated endocytosis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification