Prolonged in vivo retention of a cathepsin D targeted optical contrast agent in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-28-2015
Journal
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume
48
Issue
1
First Page
73
Last Page
87
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.3233/JAD-150123
Abstract
Background: Cathepsin D (CatD) is a lysosomal protease that is elevated early in Alzheimer's disease (AD).We have previously developed a Targeted contrast agent (CA) to detect CatD activity in vivo, consisting of a magnetic resonance imaging/fluorescent moiety linked to a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) by means of a CatD cleavage site and have demonstrated its uptake in the brain of an AD mouse model. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the in vivo retention of a near infra-red fluorescent dye labeled version of this CA. Methods: Six adult C57Bl/6 wild-type mice and six adult 5XFAD transgenic AD mice were studied using a small animal imaging system at five and twelve months of age using our novel Targeted CA, or two different control CAs; a Non-Targeted (lacking the CatD cleavage site) and a Non-Penetrating (lacking the CPP). Following intravenous CA administration, the optical signal was recorded within the brain and uptake and washout curves were measured and fitted to a one-phase exponential decay curve. Results: In all wild-type and 5XFAD mice, the washout of the Targeted CA that included a CPP domain was significantly slower than the washout of the Non-Penetrating and Non-Targeted CA. Furthermore, the washout of the CatD Targeted CA was significantly slower in the 5XFAD mice compared to the age matched wild-type controls (p < 0.05) at 5 and 12 months of age. Control CAs showed no differences in washout. Conclusions: The prolonged retention of the CatD targeted CA in 5XFAD mice suggests this agent may be useful for AD detection.