Distinguishing between normal, inflammatory, and progressing
tumor
cells plays a vital role in early diagnoses and clinical studies.
The simultaneous quantification of multiple biomarkers in cells can
reveal cellular heterogeneity, which contributes to the discrimination
of different types of cells. Herein, a dual-channel fluorescent probe
has been developed for monitoring peroxynitrite (ONOO–) and glutathione (GSH) to accurately discriminate normal cells,
inflammatory cells, and progressing cancer cells. The probe can monitor
exogenous and endogenous mitochondrial GSH and ONOO– in living cells and zebrafish by green (530 nm, G530) and red (630
nm, R630) emission based on its good selectivity and low biotoxicity.
GSH and ONOO– are visualized via fluorescence imaging,
and the corresponding output signals can be employed to differentiate
nontumorigenic, malignant, and metastatic breast cells in cocultured
cells. Furthermore, the accurate discrimination among normal, inflammatory,
and cancerous cells is achieved through the changes in the dual-channel
fluorescence signal, which shows great potential for the diagnosis
of inflammation and cancer diseases.