New agents for in vivo chelation of Uranium(VI): Efficacy and toxicity in mice of multidentate catecholate and hydroxypyridinonate ligands

Soluble uranyl ion [UO22+, U(VI)] is a kidney poison. Uranyl ion accumulates in bone, and the high specific activity uranium isotopes induce bone cancer. Although sought since the 1940's, no multidentate ligand was identified, until now, that efficiently and stably binds U(VI) at physiological pH, promotes its excretion, and reduces deposits in kidneys and bone. Ten multidentate ligands patterned after natural siderophores and composed of sulfocatechol [CAM(S)], carboxycatechol [CAM(C)], or hydroxypyridinone [Me-3,2-HOPO] metal-binding units have been tested for in vivo chelation of U(VI). Ligands were injected intraperitoneally tip) into mice 3 min after intravenous (iv) injection of U-233 or U232+235 as UO2Cl2 [ligand-to-metal molar ratio 75 to 92]. Regardless of backbone structure, denticity, or binding unit, all 10 ligands significantly reduced kidney U(VI) compared with controls or with mice given CaNa3-DTPA, and four CAM(S) or CAM(C) ligands also significantly reduced skeleton U(VI). Several ligands removed U(VI) from kidneys, when injected at 1 or 24 h. Injected at molar ratios greater than or equal to 300, 5-LIO(Me-3,2-HOPO) and TREN-(Me-3,2-HOPO) reduced kidney U(VI) to about 10% of control. Given orally to fasted mice at molar ratios greater than or equal to 300, those ligands significantly reduced kidney U(VI). In mice injected iv with 0.42 mu mol kg(-1) of U-235 and given 100 mu mol kg(-1) of one of those Me-3,2-HOPO ligands ip daily for 10 d starting at 1 h after the U(VI)) loss of kidney U(VI) was greatly accelerated, and the kidneys of treated mice showed no microscopic evidence of renal injury. Crystals of uranyl chelates with linear tetradentate ligands containing bidentate Me-3,2-HOPO groups demonstrate a 1:1 structure. Considering low toxicity, effectiveness, and reasonable cost, the structurally simple linear tetradentate ligands based on the 5-LI backbone (diaminopentane) offer the most promising approach to a clinically acceptable therapeutic agent for U(VI). Work is in progress to identify the most suitable CAM or HOPO binding unit(s).