'Breakthrough' MRI contrast design could make GBCAs safer, more effective
Researchers are working to develop what they describe as a new class of “breakthrough” MRI contrast agents with increased stability.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom have discovered a way to reinforce Metallo-coiled coils—engineered proteins with metal-binding properties—so that they are more stable. This is important for MRI applications because of the frequent use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Gadolinium is a rare earth metal with magnetic properties; though its use is considered safe in moderation, many experts in the past have expressed concern with the potential for the metal to accumulate in the tissues of patients who are frequently given GBCAs during imaging used to monitor treatment progress.
GBCA toxicity—when free gadolinium is inadvertently released and accumulates in tissue after contrast administration—though uncommon, can be harmful. Stronger gadolinium binding can significantly reduce the potential for harm.
This is where the work of Professor Anna Peacock, Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry at the university's School of Chemistry, and her team comes into play. Peacock and colleagues developed a covalent cross-linking strategy they believe can improve the stability of GBCAs, which could make them both safer and more effective.
So far, the team’s work has indicated that their method increases kinetic stability and resistance to proteolytic degradation. The cross-linked agent also improves MRI relaxivity by 30%, according to a paper detailing the team’s work in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
“We’ve developed a new class of MRI contrast agents that are significantly more efficient than current clinical agents, and we’ve now made them stable,” Peacock said in a release on the research. “By locking metal-binding peptides into place with molecular cross-links, we've engineered MRI contrast agents that are not only more stable but also deliver a further 30% improvement in effectiveness compared to their non-crosslinked counterparts. The modular nature of these designs paves the way for safer, smarter imaging in clinical diagnostics."
Although the group’s work focused on MRI contrast, they believe this method highlights the potential of covalent cross-linking strategies for enhancing the stability and functionality of metallo-coiled coils beyond imaging alone.
University of Birmingham Enterprise has filed a patent on the approach, and the researchers are now looking into licensing and development opportunities.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.