Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a protein contrast agent for enhancing an MRI image and comprising a polypeptide having a conformation presenting at least five oxygen atoms positioned to chelate at least one paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd3+, each oxygen atom being between about 2 angstrom units and about 5 angstrom units from the metal ion; the metal ion has at least one water molecule electrostatically interacting a distance of less than about 10 angstrom units a target-specific moiety conjugated thereto, at least one polyethylene glycol molecule, and a paramagnetic metal ion. Also provided is a method of obtaining an enhanced MRI image using the protein contrast agent to a T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio of the MRI image; and (d) obtaining an image of the T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio.

Abstract: Provided is a protein contrast agent for enhancing an MRI image and comprising a polypeptide having a conformation presenting at least five oxygen atoms positioned to chelate at least one paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd3+, each oxygen atom being between about 2 angstrom units and about 5 angstrom units from the metal ion; the metal ion has at least one water molecule electrostatically interacting a distance of less than about 10 angstrom units a target-specific moiety conjugated thereto, at least one polyethylene glycol molecule, and a paramagnetic metal ion. Also provided is a method of obtaining an enhanced MRI image using the protein contrast agent to a T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio of the MRI image; and (d) obtaining an image of the T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio.

Abstract: The 30 amino acid peptide GLP-1 has been integrated into the stable host protein human calbindin D9k. The fusion protein binds to GLP-1R. The fusion protein agents can be useful for both diabetes treatment and GLP-1R receptor targeting MR imaging. The fusion protein comprises a first peptide that selectively binds to a site of a target cell and linked to a second peptide, where the fusion protein is more stable than the first peptide alone and may further comprise a detectable label. The first peptide of the fusion protein may be glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)(7-36), or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (9-36), or a conservative variant thereof.

Abstract: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a member of a large family of incretin hormones secreted in nutrient-dependent response. GLP-1 acts on GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1 R) that is highly expressed on pancreatic ?-cells. The peptide has great potential for development of diabetes treatment and diagnosis. However, the pharmaceutical effects of the peptide suffer from in vivo instability and short life due to degradation by Dipeptidylpeptidase-1 (DPP-4). The 30 amino acid peptide GLP-1 has been integrated into a stable host protein human calbindin D9k. The fusion protein binds to GLP-1 R as demonstrated by immunostaining analyses of GLP-1 R expressing cells. The fusion protein agents can be useful for both diabetes treatment and GLP-1 R receptor targeting MR imaging. The fusion protein has a size about 14 kDa, which enables efficient tissue penetration and retention, and an extended circulation time, is stable, remaining intact and retaining activity after 48 hours incubation with 75% human serum.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.