A 19F-MRI probe for the detection of Fe(ii) ions in an aqueous system

Abstract

Iron deposits are often observed in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This study outlines the development of F-Nox-1 as the first example of a ¹⁹F-MRI probe that can selectively detect Fe(II) in aqueous solutions. The use of tetrafluoro-p-phenylenediamine (TFPDA) as a ¹⁹F signal emitter with an Fe(II)-selective chemical switch, based on our previously reported N-oxide chemistry, yielded a readout of a symmetry-dependent ¹⁹F signal change in response to Fe(II). The addition of Fe(II) ions to F-Nox-1 triggered a ¹⁹F signal change, both in the chemical shift and signal intensity, and the response was highly selective to Fe(II) over other biologically relevant metal ions. The probe could also detect Fe(II) in serum containing various biological contaminants by ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F-MRI). Imaging of soluble Fe(II) species, which is the major component of water-soluble iron species, by ¹⁹F-MRI will potentially enable the direct monitoring of the elevation of Fe(II) levels prior to the formation of iron deposits, which is a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases.