Single (19)F probe for simultaneous detection of multiple metal ions using miCEST MRI

The local presence and concentration of metal ions in biological systems has been extensively studied ex vivo using fluorescent dyes. However, the detection of multiple metal ions in vivo remains a major challenge. We present a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based method for noninvasive detection of specific ions that may be coexisting, using the tetrafluorinated derivative of the BAPTA (TF-BAPTA) chelate as a (19)F chelate analogue of existing optical dyes. Taking advantage of the difference in the ion-specific (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift offset (Δω) values between the ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA, we exploited the dynamic exchange between ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA to obtain MRI contrast with multi-ion chemical exchange saturation transfer (miCEST). We demonstrate that TF-BAPTA as a prototype single (19)F probe can be used to separately visualize mixed Zn(2+) and Fe(2+) ions in a specific and simultaneous fashion, without interference from potential competitive ions.