Washington University

David Piwnica-Worms

Vijay K Sharma

Richard S Hotchkiss

Jothilingam Sivapackiam

Jonathan E McDunn

Kathryn Luker

Gary Luker

Shimon Gross

Seth Gammon

Tracers that can be used for PET or SPECT imaging of the distribution of Pgp are disclosed. The tracers are metalloprobes that can comprise a radioactive metal ion such asGa orGa. Methods of synthesizing the tracers, and methods of imaging heart and other tissues are also disclosed. The tracers can be used to obtain high signal-to-background ratios for imaging tissues in vivo such as heart or tumor tissue. In various embodiments, disclosed tracers can exhibit, a) enhanced first pass extraction into heart tissue compared to presently available probes, b) linearity with true blood flow, c) enhanced detection of myocardial viability compared to presently available probes, d) reduced liver retention compared to presently available probes, and e) more efficient clearance from non-cardiac and adjoining tissues compared to presently available probes.

PET/SPECT agents for applications in biomedical imaging

Methods of imaging distribution of myeloperoxidase activity in a subject are disclosed. These methods include the use of bioluminescent substrates, including luminol and wavelength-shifted analogues of luminol. Bioluminescent myeloperoxidase substrates that emit light at longer wavelengths compared to luminol are shown to be useful for imaging myeloperoxidase activity in vivo. The disclosed methods can be used for imaging sites of inflammation and other pathological conditions associated with abnormal levels of MPO activity in vivo. Methods of synthesis of luminol analogues are also disclosed.

Bioluminescence imaging of myeloperoxidase activity in vivo, methods, compositions and apparatuses therefor

Methods and compositions for treating sepsis using cell membrane-permeant peptide conjugate covalent compounds having target cell specificity are provided.

Membrane-permeant peptide complexes for treatment of sepsis

Novel blood-brain barrier permeant amyloid-targeting peptides and peptide conjugates are described. The peptide conjugates include a radioisotope or other label in a stable complex that translocates across brain capillary endothelial cell monolayers. The labeled peptide conjugate binds to amyloid plaques (A&#x3b2;) associated with Alzheimer's disease, and is useful for the targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic molecules into the brain.

Blood brain barrier permeation peptides

An enhanced firefly luciferase protein fragment complementation assay method is described that produces a robust and broadly applicable bioluminescence signal and demonstrates both modification-independent and phosphorylation-dependent protein interactions in intact living human cells and animals useful as a diagnostic and testing tool in living biologic systems in research and in assays.

Imaging regulated protein-protein interactions in cells and living animals by enhanced luciferase protein fragment complementation

Methods and compositions for medical imaging, evaluating intracellular processes and components, radiotherapy of intracellular targets, and drug delivery by the use of novel cell membrane-permeant peptide conjugate coordination and covalent complexes having target cell specificity are provided. Kits for conjugating radionuclides and other metals to peptide coordination complexes are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Ladue, MO, United States of America

David Piwnica-Worms