Synthesis of Peptide-Based Fibrin-Targeting Fluorescent Probes for Thrombus Imaging

Catherine Hagearty-Mattern

Faculty: Lauren Endres

Thrombotic diseases are the leading cause of death in the Western world; thus, there is a tremendous need for new diagnostic agents and therapies. Fibrin, an insoluble protein that forms a fibrous mesh, inexorably linked to thrombosis, has been an essential target as the diagnostic marker for imaging and therapy.

Near-infrared (NIRF) molecular imaging accompanied by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an efficient method of studying plaque pathobiological mechanisms, mainly because it allows the detection of fluorescent agents. Current synthetic methods for fluorescent agents result in low yields and degradation of fluorescent dyes.

Our research aims are to increase the efficiency and yield of cyclic fluorogenic peptides compared to current synthetic methods using on-resin cyclization methods or solution phase. This will be tested through the synthesis of fibrin-targeted peptide FTP11-CyAM7 via disulfide bond formation by ultrasound activation.

The reaction will be monitored by ESI-MS and analytical HPLC and compared to the efficiency of previous synthetic methods.