68Ga-labeling of biotin analogues and their characterization

Biotin- and (68)Ga-based tracers have been suggested as tools that could be used to monitor the survival of avidin-coated islets of Langerhans isolated from pancreas and used in transplantation, i.e., to liver. Three biotin analogues with various alkyl and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains coupled to DOTA were synthesized and labeled with (68)Ga. The (68)Ga labeling was studied at room temperature as well as elevated temperature using either conventional or microwave heating. Radioactivity incorporation reached 95% within 5 and 2 min using the, respectively, conventional and microwave heating modes. The specific activity of the tracers was improved by preconcentration and purification of the generator eluate. The binding of the labeled and nonlabeled conjugates to avidin in solution was compared to the binding of native biotin. All compounds maintained good affinity for avidin, though introducing the linkers and chelator, especially the PEG-groups, somewhat decreased the binding affinity. The extent of binding of the labeled compounds to avidin was 54-91% after 5 min. Blocking experiments were performed confirming the specificity of the binding of biotin analogues to avidin. The stability of the three labeled compounds in human serum was studied. The stability of the biotin analogue 8 (65% within 30 min) and avidin-biotin complex (80% within 120 min) might be sufficient for the monitoring of the islets of Langerhans. The tracers will be evaluated in in vitro experiments of avidin-coated islets of Langerhans and in transplantation models in vivo.