EP0942756A2

EP0942756A2 - Optical diagnostic agents for diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by means of near infra-red radiation (nir radiation)

Info

Publication number: EP0942756A2
Application number: EP97948710A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jonathan Turner; Thomas Dyrks; Wolfhard Semmler; Kai Licha; Björn Riefke
Original assignee: Institut fuer Diagnostikforschung GmbH
Current assignee: Bayer Pharma AG
Priority date: 1996-11-19
Filing date: 1997-10-29
Publication date: 1999-09-22
Also published as: WO1998022146A3; US6329531B1; CN1237911A; WO1998022146A2; JP2001506591A; CA2272320A1; AU7298598A; DE19649971A1

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): Fm(-A1) (-Bn) (-WO) wherein F is a colorant-signal molecule with a maximum absorption value ranging from 600 - 1200 nm; A is a β-amyloid plaque binding biomolecule; B is a β-amyloid plaque binding colorant; and W is a β-amyloid plaque binding hydrophilic low-molecular structural element. The invention also describes the use of these compounds in in vivo and in vitro diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease by means of near infra-red radiation (NIR radiation) as a contrasting agent in fluorescence and transillumination diagnosis in the NIR range. Diagnostic agents containing said components are also disclosed.

Description

Optical diagnostics for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases using near-infrared radiation (NIR radiation)

The invention relates to compounds for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by means of near infrared radiation (NIR radiation), the use of these compounds as optical diagnostics and diagnostic agents containing these compounds.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of advanced dementia in the elderly. The incidence of AD increases with the age of the patient and reaches values of 40% -50% in the age group between 85 and 90 years. AD can only be diagnosed post mortem with certainty by examining the brains of the patients during an autopsy. The brains of Alzheimer's patients contain many characteristic amyloid plaques in the neural tissue and in the vicinity of blood vessels, which are surrounded by dystrophied neurites and neurofibrillary "tangles". Furthermore, the brains of Alzheimer's patients have a small number of synapses. In the advanced stage of the disease, extensive degeneration of neuronal structures and a significant decrease in brain volume can be seen (Wiesniewski, HM, Weigel, J., Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. Current Status of Interpretation of lesion development. Ann NY Acad Sei 1992, 673: 270-84)

The amyloid plaques consist inter alia of the amyloid-β-peptide (Aß), a fragment of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) consisting of 40 to 42 amino acids (Master, CL, Simms, G., Weinman, NA, et al. Amyloid plaque core protein in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sei USA 1985, 82: 4245-9; Kang, J., Lemaire, HG, Unterbeck, A. et al. The precursor of Alzheimer's disease amyloid A4 protein resembles a cell-sur- face receptor. Nature 1987, 325: 733-6). The number of plaques does not correlate with the degree of advanced dementia, but is an early and reliable diagnostic for the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. This leads to the hypothesis that the first deposits of Aß take place long before the manifestation of AD and before the first clinical symptoms appear (Hardy, L., Allsop, D., Amyloid deposition as the central event in the aetiology of Alzheimer ' s disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1991, 12: 383-8).

A method that quantitatively records the amyloid plaques early before the patient's death would have a major impact on further research into AD and on the development of new effective therapy concepts against AD.

At the present time, there is no direct detection of the amyloid plaques in the brains of AD patients. The extent of AD is today only indirectly diagnosed on the basis of brain volume or brain areas affected by metabolic disorders (MRI and PET). The serious disadvantage of these methods is the only indirect detection of AD, which is often associated with high statistical fluctuation ranges of the results. The sensitivity of these methods to detection of direct detection of amyloid plaques can therefore be assessed as low.

Several methods for radiography and imaging diagnosis of biological tissues with long-wave light in the wavelength range from 600 to 1200 nm (near infrared diagnostics) are known. Since biological tissue has a relatively high permeability to long-wave light, In addition to the modern imaging methods such as X-ray, magnetic resonance tomography or ultrasound diagnostics, the diagnostician has another spectral range available (Haller, EB Time-resolved Transillumination and Optical Tomography. J Biomed Optics 1996, 1: 7-17). The use of NIR radiation for the location-dependent recording of blood flow and degree of oxygenation in the brain of infants by the detection of the absorption of hemoglobin / deoxyhemoglobin has been a method which has been known and used for years (Jöbsis, FF, noninvasive infrared monitoring of cerebral and myocar - dial oxygen sufficiency and circulatory parameters. Science 1977, 198: 1264-67; Chance, B., Leigh, JS, Miyake, H. et al. Comparison of time-resolved and - unresolved measurements of deoxyglobin in brain. Proc Natl Acad Sei USA 1988, 85: 4971-75; Benaron DA et al. Optical time-of-flight and absorbance imaging of biological media. Science 1993, 33: 369A.).

In near-infrared diagnostics, both the detection of the non-absorbed radiation in the form of a transmission display and the fluorescence radiation emitted after irradiation with near-infrared light can provide tissue-specific information.

The main problem with the use of near-infrared radiation is the strong control of the light, so that even with different photophysical properties of a sharply defined object and its

Surrounding this object is only blurred. The problem increases with the distance of the object from the surface and can be seen as the main limiting factor in both transillumination and in the detection of fluorescent radiation. The object of the invention is therefore to provide new compounds which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved in that compounds of the general formula I

Fm (-Al) (-B _n ) (- ₀ ) (I)

wherein

F is a dye signal molecule which has at least one absorption maximum in the range from 600 to 1200 nm, A is a biomolecule which binds to β-amyloid plaques, B is a dye which binds to β-amyloid plaques, W is a to β-amyloid -Plaques-binding hydrophilic, low-molecular structural element,

m stands for the number 1 or 2 or, with the proviso that n and o represent zero, stands for an integer 3 - 20,

1 and n independently of one another represent a number 0, 1 or 2, o represents an integer 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that the sum of 1, n and o is> 1

as well as their physiologically acceptable salts.

to provide.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the compounds according to the invention attach to the amyloid plaques or constituents of the amyloid plaques, bind or accumulate there and thus to unify and Increase the absorption and fluorescence of these areas to be detected.

The in vivo detection of β-amyloid deposits using NIR radiation requires dyes as contrast agents which have a high absorption and fluorescence quantum yield in the wavelength range from 600 to 1200 nm and bind selectively to β-amyloid deposits.

Dyes from the class of the polymethines have absorption and fluorescence properties which are characterized by high molar absorption coefficients between 600 and 1200 nm and sufficient fluorescence quantum yields. Dyes in this class generally have high photostability.

Surprisingly, it was found that fluorescent dyes are suitable for improving the differentiation between normal and diseased tissue, which accumulate in the diseased tissue or selectively bind to pathologically changed tissue components and have a specific absorption and emission behavior.

It has surprisingly been found in the present invention that the compounds of the general formula I according to the invention bind to the β-amyloid plaques. The change in the (scattered) incident light caused by absorption of the dye and / or the fluorescence induced by the excitation radiation is detected and provides the actual tissue-specific information which enables a statement about the degree of the pathogenic change.

According to the invention, such dyes are used as signal molecules F which are covalently linked to β-amyloid Structures that bind plaques are linked or are substituted with such structures.

Compounds of the general formula I according to the invention are those in which, for example, a) 1 and n are zero, m is one and o is 1-4, or b) n and o are zero, m is 3-20 and 1 is 1- 2 stands, or c) 1 and o mean zero, m stands for 1-2 and n stands for 1-2, provided that the sum of n and m is less than or equal to 3.

Preferred compounds of general formula I according to the invention are those in which F represents a cyanine, squarilium, croconium, merocyanine or oxonol dye.

Compounds of the general formula I are particularly preferred in which F is a cyanine, squarilium or croconium dye of the general formulas II-IV

wherein

R ¹ to R ⁴ and R ⁷ to R ¹⁰ independently of one another for a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine atom or a nitro group or for a radical -COOE ¹ , -CONE ¹ E ² , -NHCOE ¹ , -NHCONHE ¹ , -NE ^ ² , -OE ¹ , -OSO3E ¹ , -SO3E ¹ , -SO2NHE ¹ , -El, where E ¹ and E ² independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain Ci-Cso- alkyl chain, whereby the chain or parts of this chain against appropriate, one or more aromatic or saturated cyclic C5-C6 or bicyclic C can form ₁ 0 units,, and wherein the Cτ_-C50-alkyl chain from 0 to 15 oxygen atoms and / or is interrupted by 0 to 3 carbonyl groups and / or is substituted by 0 to 5 hydroxyl groups, and in each case adjacent radicals R 1 - R ₄ and / or R 7 - Rio can be linked to one another to form a six-membered aromatic carbon ring, or for one Bind to A, B or W,

R5 and R ^ independently of one another represent a radical -E ¹ with the meaning given above or for a Cτ_- C4-sulfoalkyl chain, Q is a fragment

R ¹¹ R ¹¹

I I

wherein

R ^{11 represents} a hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine atom or a nitro group or a radical -NE ^ -E ² , -OE ¹ or -E ¹ , where E ¹ and E ^{2 have} the meaning given above, stands,

R ^{12 represents} a hydrogen atom or a radical E ¹ with the meaning given above,

b represents a number 0, 2 or 3,

X and Y independently of one another O, S, -CH = CH- or a fragment

C ^ R ¹⁴ wherein

R ¹ ^ _unc R14 independently of one another represent hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain Ci - Cio-alkyl chain which can be interrupted by up to 5 oxygen atoms and / or can be substituted by up to 5 hydroxyl groups, and the radicals R ¹ ^ _unc R ¹⁴ can be linked to form a 5- or 6-membered ring,

stands .

Compounds of the general formula I in which F is a cyanine dye of the general formula V are particularly preferred

where p is an integer 2 or 3,

X and Y independently of one another represent O, S, -CH = CH- or C (CH3) 2,

R ¹ ^ _and d R ² 0 independently of one another are a radical -COOE ¹ , -CONE ^ ² , -NHCOE ¹ , -NHCONHE ¹ , -NE ^ ² , -OE ¹ , -OS03H, - SO3H, -E ^ -, whereby E ^ and E ^{2 have} the meaning given above, with the proviso that E ¹ and E ^{2 are} not simultaneously hydrogen atoms,

R ²¹ and R ²² independently of one another for a radical -E ¹ with the meaning given above, for a C ₁ -C ₄ sulfoalkyl chain

or R ¹⁹ , R ²⁰ , R ²¹ , R ²² , E ¹ or E ^{2 represent} a bond to A, B or W with the meaning given above, represents.

Also particularly preferred are compounds of the general formula I in which F is a cyanine dye of the general formula VI

wherein p, X, Y, R ²¹ and R ^{22 have} the meaning given above,

R ²³ for -OE ³ , -COOE ³ , -CONHE ³ , -CONH (CH2) ι_ ₆ -NHE ³ , - CONH (CH2) ι-6-OE ³ , -CONH (CH ₂ ) ι- ₆ -COOE ³ or - CONH (CH2) 1-6 -CONHE ³ , in which

E ^{3 represents} a mono-, oligo- or polysaccharide with at least one radical -OSO3H,

represents.

In addition, particular preference is given to compounds of the general formula I in which F is an oxonol dye of the general formula VII,

wherein

R and R have the meaning given above, R and R independently of one another represent a phenyl ring which is monosubstituted to trisubstituted by hydroxyl, carboxy, sulfate, sulfonate, alkyl or alkoxy or carboxylic acid ester radicals,

represents.

Compounds of general formula I according to the invention are those in which A is, for example for antibodies, antibody fragments, specific peptides and proteins, receptors, enzymes, enzyme substrates, nucleotides, ribonucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acids, lipoproteins, carbohydrates, mono-, di- or trisaccharides, linear or branched Oligosaccharides or polysaccharides or

-saccharide derivatives or stands for a dextran.

Preferred peptides are the β-amyloid 1-40, 1-42 and 1-43, as well as partial structures and derivatives thereof. The β-amyloids and partial structures of the β-amyloids which are modified with the amino acid cysteine are particularly preferred, the binding to the F taking place via the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine using a maleimido structure.

Monomeric aminosugars are, for example, glucosamine,

Galactosamine, mannosamine, gulosamine, fucosamine, 3-amino-3-deoxy-ribose, canosamine, mycosamine, mycaminose, desosamine, rhodosamine, 6-amino-6-deoxy-glucose, neosamine, paomose. Amino sugar carboxylic acids are, for example, glucosamic acid, glucosaminuronic acid, muramic acid, trehalosamine, chondrosine and derivatives, chitotriose.

Preferred compounds of general formula I are those in which the bond to F between the amino group of the sugar and carboxy group of the dye to form an amide group.

Also preferred are compounds of the general formula I with mono-, di-, tri- and oligosaccharides for A, the glycosidic hydroxyl group of which has been converted into an amino group, the coupling to a carboxy group of the dye F taking place to form an amide group.

Mono- to oligomeric saccharides are aldo- and ketotrioses to aldo- and ketoheptoses, ketooctoses and ketononoses, anhydro sugars, cyclites, amino and diamino sugars, deoxy sugars, aminodeoxy sugars, monocarboxylic acids, amino sugar carboxylic acids, aminocyclites, phosphorus-containing derivatives Mono- to oligomers.

Examples of suitable polysaccharides are fucoidan, arabinogalactan, chondroitin and sulfates, dermatan, heparin, heparan, heparitin, hyaloronic acid, keratan, polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid, inulin, polylactose, polylactosamine, aminosucoseopin, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysopinic acid, polyinosysopinic acid, polyinosysyl acid, polyinosysopinic acid, polyinosysopinic acid , Glycogen, Nigeran, Pullulan, Asparagosin, Sinistrin, Sitosin, Galactocaolose, Luteose, Galactan, Mannane, Guaran, Glucomannane, Galactoglucomannane, Phsophomannane, Fucane, Pectins, Cyclodextrins and the chemically and / or enzymatically produced derivatives, Degradation and cleavage products of the high molecular compounds.

Particularly preferred mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides are sulfated or polysulfated structures.

Sulfated structures are, for example, glucosamine-3-sulfate, glucosamine-6-sulfate and those structures which are formed by sulfating with suitable reagents Mono-, di-, tri- to oligo- and polysaccharides described above can be obtained

Sulphations, for example according to Jaurand, G., et al. , Carbohydrate Research 1994, 255: 295-301; Böcker, T., et al. , Carbohydrate Research, 1992, 230: 245-256.

According to the invention selectively binding to β-amyloid plaques

Dye structures B are diazo dyes that are covalently bound to the signaling molecules. Suitable diazo dyes are, for example, Congo red, Chrysamine G, Evans

® Blue, Chicago Sky Blue 6B, Direct Red dyes, Direct

Yellow dyes, Ponceau dyes, reactive black

5, Calcion.

Preferred compounds of the general formula I are those in which B is a diazo dye of the general formula VIII

wherein

R! 5 and R! independently of one another with one or more hydroxy, carboxy, amino, sulfonic acid, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, with up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, or arylsulfonyl groups with up to 9 carbon atoms in the aryl radical, substituted phenyl or naphthyl radical, or for a dye F, R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁸ independently of one another represent a hydroxyl, carboxy, sulfonic acid, alkyl, alkoxy radical having up to 6 carbon atoms.

Preferred compounds of the general formula I according to the invention are also those in which W represents a radical -OSO3H or -SO3H, an unbranched, branched, cyclic or polycyclic alkyl, alkenyl, polyalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, Alkylaryl or arylalkyl radical with up to 60 carbon atoms, which is substituted with up to 5 hydroxyl groups, up to 3 carboxylic acid groups and at least one radical -OSO3H or -SO3H.

Preferred compounds according to the general formula I are those in which W denotes a sulfated structure which can be prepared by sulfating corresponding hydroxyl compounds.

Amino alcohols are suitable, for example, where the linkage has taken place between the amino group and the carboxy group of the dye to form an amide group and the hydroxyl groups are sulfated. Examples of amino alcohols are 2-amino-1-ethanol, 3-amino-1-propanol, 4-amino-1-butanol, 5-amino-1-pentanol, 6-amino-1-hexanol, 3-amino-1, 2-propanediol, 2-amino-l, 3-propanediol, 3-amino-1, 2, 4-butanetriol, hydroxyaniline, 4-aminoresorcinol.

The signal molecule and the specifically binding structural unit are connected to one another via conventional functional groups. Examples of such groups are esters, ethers, secondary and tertiary amines, amides and the structures listed below

The compounds of the general formula I according to the invention are prepared by modifying polymethine dye base bodies which contain couplable functionalities (for example carboxyl, amino, hydroxyl groups) by the processes known to the person skilled in the art.

These groups are modified accordingly, in a manner known per se, by reaction with corresponding substituents, while maintaining the structure of the starting compounds.

The synthesis of the polymethine dye base takes place according to methods known from the literature, for example F.M. Hammer in The Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1964; Cytometry. 10, (1989), 3-10; 11 (1990) 418-430; 12 (1990) 723-30; Bioconiugate Chem. 4 (1993) 105-11, Anal. Biochem. 217 (1994) 197-204, Tetrahedron 45 (1989) 4845-66, EP-0 591 820 AI. Org. Chem. 60: 2361-95 (1995).

The dye-biomolecule adducts according to the invention (1 not equal to zero in the general formula I) are prepared by reacting the dye with a biomolecule A using methods known from the literature. For this purpose, the dyes must have reactive groups that can be coupled, or the dye must be activated by generating these groups in situ or beforehand. Groups reactive towards amino and sulfhydryl groups of a biomolecule are, for example, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters, N-hydroxysuccinic acid imidyl ester 3 sulfate, isothiocyanates, isocyanates, maleimide, haloacetyl, vinyl sulfone groups. The coupling is preferably carried out in an aqueous medium. The degree of loading can be controlled by the stoichiometry and reaction time. Literature: Synth. Co mun. 23 (1993) 3078-94,

DE-OS 3912046, Cancer Immuno1. Immunother. 41 (1995) 257-263, Cancer Research 54 (1994) 2643-49.

Another object of the present invention is the use of compounds of general formula I according to the invention for the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by means of NIR radiation.

Another object of the present invention is the use of compounds of general formula I according to the invention for in vitro diagnostics.

For this purpose, tissue samples or biopsy samples are obtained and examined for their content of β-amyloid sheet structures.

Surprisingly, the dyes of the invention bind selectively to the samples to be examined and allow an evaluation based on the specifically emitted fluorescence in the near-infrared spectral range.

The present invention further also relates to diagnostic agents for in vivo diagnostics, which contain compounds of the general formula I together with the customary auxiliaries and carriers and diluents.

According to the invention, one or more of the substances, preferably intrathecal, intralumbal or intravenous, are added to the tissue when used for in vivo diagnostics, and light from the near-infrared spectral range is input. shine. The non-absorbed, scattered light and / or the scattered fluorescent radiation emitted by the dye are registered simultaneously / individually. Preferred are the methods in which the tissue is irradiated over a large area and the fluorescence radiation is displayed locally resolved by recording with a CCD camera or the tissue areas to be imaged are scanned with a light guide and the signals obtained are converted into a synthetic image by calculation. In addition, the fluorescence can be evaluated spectrally and / or phase-selectively as well as stationary and / or time-resolved.

The particular advantage of the compounds according to the invention, for example over radiodiagnostic methods, is that when stable dyes are used, the fluorescence signal can be generated and detected even after longer periods after application by excitation of the dye. There is a longer time window for diagnosis, as there are no limitations, for example due to decay half-lives.

The use according to the invention provides a non-invasive diagnostic method which enables the direct detection of the amyloid plaques in vivo.

The following examples illustrate the invention.

Example 1 :

Preparation of N- (2, 3-disulfato) propyl-1, 1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide, trisodium salt 1) 1,1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester, sodium salt

To a solution of 0.5 g (0.7 mmol) 1, 1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid and 0.1 g (0.9 mmol) N-hydroxysuccinimide in 30 ml anhydrous DMF, 0.15 g (0.75 mmol) of N, N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in 5 ml are added dropwise at 0 ° C. under argon. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 72 h. The solvent is then evaporated to about 5 ml in a high vacuum at 40 ° C. and the residue is stirred with 200 ml of diethyl ether. After decanting the ether from the precipitate, 5 ml of dimethylformamide are added again and the process described is repeated. The precipitate obtained is dried under high vacuum and stored at -20 ° C under argon. Yield: 0.55 g (97%), deep blue powder

2) N- (2, 3-Dihydroxy) propyl-l, 1 '-bis- (4 -sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide, sodium salt

0.5 g (0.61 mmol) 1, 1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid-N-hydroxy-succinimidyl ester in 20 ml dimethylformamide are mixed with a solution of 0.15 g (0.92 mmol) 2-aminomethyl-5, 5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane hydrochloride and 0.1 g (1.1 mmol) triethylamine in 20 ml dimethylformamide and stirred for 24 h at room temperature. The processing takes place as described above. The crude product is stirred in 30 ml of water / MeOH / acetic acid (3: 1: 2) for 18 h at room temperature and the solution is subjected to a chromatographic purification (Europrep, 60-30 C18, 60A, 20-45 μ, eluent: Water / methanol). Yield: 0.25 g (52%), blue lyophilisate 3) N- (2, 3-disulfato) propyl-l, 1 '-bis - (4-sulf obutyl) -indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide, trisodium salt

0.25 g (0.32 mmol) of N- (2, 3-dihydroxy) ropyl-1, 1'-bis (4 - sulfo-butyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide are combined with 0.22 g (1, 6 mmol) of sulfur trioxide-trimethylamine complex in 15 ml of dimethylformamide was stirred at room temperature for 48 h. The reaction mixture is evaporated, stirred with ether and the precipitated solid is chromatographically purified (Europrep, 60-30 C18, 60A, 20-45 μ, eluent: 0.5 percent NaCl solution / methanol). Yield: 0.20 g (64%), blue lyophilisate

^λ max absorbance ^(H ₂ 0) = 74 6 nm λ _m ax, _F luoreszenz (H ₂ 0) = 78 0 nm

Example 2:

Bis-1, 1 '- (4 -sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid-α-D-glucosamide-3' 'sulfate, disodium salt (2)

To a solution of 0.5 g (0.7 mmol) 1, 1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanin-5-carboxylic acid and 0.1 g (1.0 mmol) triethylamine in 20 ml anhydrous dimethylformamide 0.23 g (0.7 mmol) of benzotriazol-1-yl-N, N, N ', N' - tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) are added. After stirring for 30 min at room temperature. a solution of 0.36 g (1.4 mmol) of α-D-glucosamine-3 sulfate and 0.15 g (1.5 mmol) of triethylamine in 25 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide are added dropwise. It is a further 3 h at room temp. touched that The solvent was evaporated in a high vacuum at 40 ° C. and the residue was stirred with diethyl ether. The solid formed is filtered off and chromatographed on RP silica gel Europrep, 60-30 C18, 60A, 20-45 μ, step gradient 100% 0.5 percent. NaCl solution. -> 90% 0.5 percent NaCl solution / 10% methanol -> 90% water / 10% methanol -> 50% methanol) cleaned and finally freeze-dried. Yield: 0.51 g (76%), blue lyophilisate

λ, max, absorption! H _? 0) 745 nm λ-max, _F luoreszenz (H ₂ 0) - 779 nm

Example 3:

Bis-1, 1 '- (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanin-5, 5' -dicarboxylic acid-di-α-D-glucosamide-di-3 '' sulfate, trisodium salt (3 [

The preparation and purification is carried out analogously to Example 2, starting from 0.5 g (0.66 mmol) of 1,1'-bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanin-5, 5'-dicarboxylic acid, 0.2 g (2, 0 mmol) triethylamine in 25 ml dimethylformamide, addition of 0.43 g (1.32 mmol) TBTU as well as 0.69 g (2.64 mmol) α-D-glucosamine-3-sulfate and 0.3 g (3 mmol ) Triethylamine in 30 ml dimethylformamide. Yield: 0.56 g (66%), blue lyophilisate max, absorption (H, 0) 754 nm max, fluorescence (H ₂ 0) = 790 nm

Example 4:

N-chondrosine bis-1, 1 '- (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide, sodium salt (4)

The preparation is carried out analogously to Example 2, starting from 0.5 g (0.7 mmol) of 1,1 'bis (4-sulfo-butyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid using 0.43 g (1.2 mmol) Chondrosin. The reaction time is 5 hours. The purification is carried out by means of HPLC (column: 250x20 mm, Nucleosil 100C18, 7 mm, eluent 50 mM phosphate buffer pH4 / MeOH, 5% to 95% MeOH in 60 min) with subsequent desalination on RP silica gel and freeze drying. Yield: 0.35 g (48%), blue lyophilisate

λ _ma χ _, absorption (H ₂ 0) = 746 nm

^ max, _Fl uorescence (H ₂ 0) = 779 nm

Example 5: Maltotriose-indotricarbocyanine adduct

1) Preparation of 1-amino-1-deoxy-maltotriose

0.2 g of maltotriose is stirred in 5 ml of a saturated ammonium bicarbonate at 30 ° C. for 7 days. To remove excess ammonium bicarbonate, the solution is repeatedly lyophilized to constant weight.

2) Coupling with 1, 1 'bis (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid

A solution of 0.1 g (0.14 mmol) of 1,1 'bis (4 -sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid and 15 mg of triethylamine in 5 ml of dimethylformamide is mixed with 0.05 g (0.15 mmol) O- (benzotriazol-1-yl) -N, N, N ', N' -tetramethyl-uronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) are added and the mixture is stirred at room temp. for 30 min. touched. Then 0.14 g (0.28 mmol) of 1-amino-1-deoxy-maltotriose are added and a further 5 h at room temperature. touched. After removing the dimethylformamide at 40 ° C in a high vacuum, the residue is stirred with ether, filtered off and purified by chromatography (Europrep, 60-30 C18, 60A, 20-45 μ, eluent: water / methanol). Yield after freeze-drying 50%.

λ χ _ma, _A bsorption ^(H ₂ 0) = 748 nm λ χ _ma, _Fl uorescence (H ₂ 0) = 779 nm Example 6:

Heparin indotricarbocyanine adduct

0.25 g of heparin (low molecular weight, M approx. 6000 g / mol, Sigma) are partially de-N based on Nagasawa K. and Inoue Y. (Methods in Carbohydrate Chemistry Vol. III, 1980, 291-294) sulfated (25 ° C for 3 h; yield 0.20 g). 0.10 g of partially de-N-sulfated, low molecular weight heparin are dissolved in 40 ml of phosphate buffer (0.1 M ΝaH ₂ P0 ₄ / Na ₂ HP0 ₄ , pH 8.3) with a solution of 0.12 g (0.15 mmol) of 1,1'-bis (4-sulfo-butyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxylic acid-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester, sodium salt (see Example 1) in 4 ml of dimethylformamide and 2 h at room temperature. touched. It is cleaned by means of ultrafiltration with dist. Water (Centriprep 3000, Amicon), freeze-drying and 5-hour. Drying at 50 ° C in a high vacuum.

Sulfur content (determination by ICP-AES)

S (%) heparin 11.55

S (%) partially de-N-sulfated 10.02

S (%) after labeling with dye 10.89

λ _max , _bsor p _t i _o n (H ₂ 0) = 750 nm ^λ m _ax , _fluorescence z (H ₂ 0) = 782 nm

Example 7:

Indotricarbocyanine-Cys-β-amyloid adducts

1) Preparation of N- [3 - (3-maleimidobenzoyl) aminopropyl] - bis-1, 1 '- (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine-5-carboxamide, sodium salt 1,1'-bis ⁽ 4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanin-5-carboxylic acid is based on known literature processes by reaction with 3-aminopropyl-t-butyl carbamate, release of the amino group by acidic cleavage with trifluoroacetic acid and reaction with 3-maleimidobenzoic acid chloride transferred in the above connection.

2a) Labeling of Cys-β-Amyloid (1-40)

All solvents are freed from oxygen by saturation with argon.

10 mg of lyophilized Cys-β-amyloid (1-40) are dissolved in 1 ml of phosphate buffer pH 7.8 / DMF (2: 1 mixture) and with 10 mg of N- [3- (3-maleimidobenzoyl) aminopropyl] -bis -1, 1 '- (4 - sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanin-5-carboxamide, sodium salt added. It is 3 h at room temp. stirred, diluted with 5 ml of water and the solution lyophilized. Cleaning using HPLC (column: Merck Select B, 5 μ; eluent: water + 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid, acetonitrile) gives 4 mg of product.

IIGLM VGGW

λ _{maX ι absorption} (H ₂ 0) = 747 nm λ _ma χ, _Fl u _o r _es z _e nz (H ₂ 0) = 780 nm

2b) Labeling of Cys-ß-Amyloid (12-20] The implementation is carried out analogously to 2a). 5 mg of Cys-β-amyloid (12-20) are mixed with 10 mg of dye and 2.5 h at room temperature. touched. 6 mg of product are obtained after purification by HPLC.

Example 8

Binding assay for measuring the binding of the dye constructs to βA4 peptide by fluorescence detection

1) Preparation of the βA4-peptide-coated membranes and incubation with βA4-binding dye constructs

The binding assay was carried out on βA4-peptide-coated nitrocellulose membranes (cellulose nitrate membrane filter CN; 0.4 μm, from Schleicher & Schuell). The membrane was coated in a dot blot chamber (from Strategagen). The membrane and the blotting paper (GB002, from Schleicher & Schuell) were moistened with water and in TBST buffer (20 mM Tris / HCl pH7, 6; 127 M NaCl; 0.1% Tween 20; 0.01% NaN ₃ ) equilibrated. 10, 5 and 2.5 μg peptide in 0.2 ml TBST buffer were applied to the membrane from a solution of βA4 peptide in water (2 mg / ml). After 15 min. Incubation, the peptide solution was sucked through the membrane, rinsed with 0.2 ml of TBST buffer, the membrane was removed from the dot blot chamber and dried at 37 ° C. for 30 min. Before the incubation with dyes, the dried membrane was incubated with TBST block buffer (TBST, see above; 5% milk powder) with gentle shaking and then washed with TBST buffer for 5 min. The incubation with dyes was carried out by gently shaking the membranes in 0.0005-0.05% solutions of the dye in TBST. The mixture was then washed five times with TBTS buffer, the membrane at room temperature. dried and sealed.

2) Evaluation using fluorescence detection

The laser-induced fluorescence images are carried out on an experimental fluorescence imaging system. The excitation took place with monochromatic laser light with a wavelength of 740 nm by coupling out the radiation via an optical fiber system and homogeneous illumination of the cellulose membranes. The reflected excitation light is blocked by an edge filter, the laser-induced fluorescent light above 740 nm is recorded with a CCD camera (Charge Coupled Device) and the data is saved as black and white images. 1 to 2 show examples of fluorescence images of the membranes.

Fig. 1:

Fluorescence image of the cellulose membrane after incubation with bis-1, 1 '- (4-sulfobutyl) indotricarbocyanine, sodium salt (0.005% solution). Excitation wavelength 740 nm, detection> 780 nm 1: 2.5 μg β-amyloid (1-42) 2: 5 μg β-amyloid (1-42) 3: 10 μg β-amyloid (1-42) 4: control peptides with similar binding properties to the cellulose membrane Fig. 2:

Fluorescence image of the cellulose membrane after incubation with 4- [5- [3-carboxy-3-hydroxy-l- (4-sulfophenyl) -lH-pyrazol-4-yl] -2, 4-pentadienylidene] -4, 5- dihydro-5-oxo-l- (4-sulfobutyl) -lH-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, dipotassium salt (0.005% solution)

Excitation wavelength 650 nm, detection> 680 nm 5: 2.5 μg β-amyloid (1-42) 6: 5 μg β-amyloid (1-42) 7: 10 μg β-amyloid (1-42)

8: Control peptides with similar binding properties to the cellulose membrane

Claims

claims

1. Compounds of the general formula I

F _m (-Al) (-B _n ) (-W ₀ ) (I)

wherein

F is a dye signaling molecule which has at least one absorption maximum in the range from 600 to 1200 nm,

A is a biomolecule which binds to β-amyloid plaques, B is a dye which binds to β-amyloid plaques, W is a hydrophilic, low-molecular structural element which binds to β-amyloid plaques,

m stands for the number 1 or 2 or, with the proviso that n and o mean zero, stands for an integer 3 - 20, 1 and n independently of one another stand for a number 0, 1 or 2, o for an integer 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that the sum of 1, n and o> 1

as well as their physiologically acceptable salts.

2. Compounds according to claim 1, characterized in that in the general formula I

F represents a cyanine, squarilium, croconium, merocyanine or oxonol dye.

3. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the general formula I

F for a cyanine, squarilium or croconium dye of the general formulas II - IV

wherein

R ¹ to R ⁴ and R ⁷ to R ¹⁰ independently of one another for a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine atom or a nitro group or for a radical -COOE ¹ , -CONE ¹ ^ ² , -NHCOE ¹ , -NHCONHE ¹ , -NE ^ ² , -OE ¹ , -OSO3E ¹ , -SO3E ¹ , -SO2NHE ¹ , -E ^l , where E ¹ and E ² independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain Ci Cso-alkyl chain, the chain or parts of this chain optionally also one or more aromatic or saturated cyclic C5-C6 or bicyclic Can form Cio units, and where the Ci-Cso-alkyl chain is interrupted by 0 to 15 oxygen atoms and / or by 0 to 3 carbonyl groups and / or is substituted by 0 to 5 hydroxyl groups, and in each case adjacent Ri - R4 and / or R7 - Rχo radicals can be linked together to form a six-membered aromatic carbon ring, or represent a bond to A, B or W,

R ^ and R ^ independently of one another represent a radical -E ¹ with the meaning given above or a Ci-Ci-sulfoalkyl chain,

Q is a fragment

R ¹¹ R ¹¹

I I

CH- C = CH— = CH- C = C— C = CH "

'- (CH ₂ ) b-'

wherein

R ^{11 represents} a hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine iodine atom or a nitro group or a radical -NE ^ ² , -OE ¹ or -E ¹ , where E ¹ and E ^{2 have} the meaning given above,

b represents a number 0, 2 or 3, represents

X and Y independently of one another 0, S, - CH = CH- or a fragment

wherein

R ¹ ^ and R ^ ⁴ independently of one another represent hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain Ci - Cio-alkyl chain, which can be interrupted by up to 5 oxygen atoms and / or can be substituted by up to 5 hydroxy groups, and wherein the R ¹ ^ _unc j R ¹⁴ may be linked together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring,

stands

4. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the general formula I

F is a cyanine dye of the general formula V

where p is an integer 2 or 3,

X and Y independently of one another represent O, S, -CH = CH- or C (CH3) 2, R ¹⁹ and R ²⁰ independently of one another are a radical -COOE ¹ , -CONE ^ ² , -NHCOE ¹ , -NHCONHE ¹ , -NE ^ -E ² , -OE ¹ , -OSO3H, -SO3H, -E ¹ , where E ¹ and E ^{2 have} the meaning given above, with the proviso that E ¹ and E ^{2 are} not simultaneously hydrogen atoms,

or R ¹⁹ , R ²⁰ , R ²¹ , R ²² , E ¹ or E ^{2 represent} a bond to A, B or W with the meaning given above,

represents.

5. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the general formula I F a cyanine dye of the general formula VI

wherein p, X, Y, R ²¹ and R ^{22 have} the meaning given above,

R ²³ for -OE ³ , -COOE ³ , -CONHE ³ , -CONH (CH2) 1-6- NHE ³ , -CONH (CH2) ι- ₆ -OE ³ , -CONH (CH2) ₁ - ₆ -COOE ³ or -CONH (CH 2) _{_1-6} -CONHE ³ is wherein e ³ represents a mono-, oligo- or polysaccharide having at least one radical -OSO 3 H, represents.

Compounds according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the general formula I F an oxonol dye of the general formula VII,

wherein p, R, 1 "9 and R, 20 have the meaning given above,

R and R independently of one another represent a phenyl ring which is monosubstituted to trisubstituted by hydroxyl, carboxy, sulfate, sulfonate, alkyl or alkoxy or carboxylic acid ester radicals,

means

7. Compounds according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the general formula IA for antibodies, antibody fragments, specific peptides and proteins, receptors, enzymes, enzyme substrates, nucleotides, ribonucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acids, lipoproteins, carbohydrates, mono-, di- or trisaccharides, linear or branched oligosaccharides or polysaccharides or saccharide derivatives or for a dextran.

8. Connections according to at least one of the above

Claims, characterized in that in the general formula I

B is a diazo dye of the general formula VIII

wherein

R ¹ ^ and R ¹ ^ independently of one another with one or more hydroxy, carboxy, amino,

Sulfonic acid, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, with up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, or arylsulfonyl groups, with up to 9 carbon atoms in the aryl radical, substituted phenyl or naphthyl radical, or for a dye F, stands ,

R ^{1 "7} and R ¹ ^ independently of one another represent a hydroxyl, carboxy, sulfonic acid, alkyl, alkoxy radical having up to 6 carbon atoms.

9. Compounds according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the general ^¬ my formula I

W for a radical -OSO3H or -SO3H, an unbranched, branched, cyclic or polycyclic alkyl, alkenyl, polyalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl radical with up to 60 carbon atoms, which with up to 5 hydroxyl groups, up to 3 carboxylic acid groups and at least one radical -OSO3H or - SO3H is substituted, stands .

10. Compounds according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that F with A, B and / or W, independently of one another, via an ester, ether, secondary or tertiary amino group, amide group or via a group

o -s ---

II -s-

II o is linked

11. Use of compounds according to claim 1 for the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by means of NIR radiation.

12. Use of compounds according to claim 1 for the in vitro diagnosis of neurodegenerative tissue by means of NIR radiation.

13. Optical diagnostic for the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by means of NIR radiation, characterized in that it contains at least one compound according to claim 1 together with the usual auxiliaries and carriers and diluents.