A highly selective and sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging of hydrogen sulphide in living cells and mice

Abstract

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), the third endogenous gaseous signalling molecule, has attracted attention in biochemical research. The selective detection of H2S in living systems is essential for studying its functions. Fluorescence detection methods have become useful tools to explore the physiological roles of H2S because of their real-time and non-destructive characteristics. Herein we report a near-infrared fluorescent probe, NIR-HS, capable of tracking H2S in living organisms. With high sensitivity, good selectivity and low cytotoxicity, NIR-HS was able to recognize both the exogenous and endogenous H2S in living cells. More importantly, it realized the visualization of endogenous H2S generated in cells overexpressing cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), one of the enzymes responsible for producing endogenous H2S. The probe was also successfully applied to detect both the exogenous and endogenous H2S in living mice. The superior sensing properties of the probe render it a valuable research tool in the H2S-related medical research.

In situ quantification and evaluation of ClO−/H2S homeostasis in inflammatory gastric tissue by applying a rationally designed dual-response fluorescence probe featuring a novel H+-activated mechanism

“…Meanwhile, many elaborate probes have also been designed for the quantification of RSS in blood, tissues, cells, and organelles [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Thus a phenyl-C=N-N-R group was designed as the fast reporter for ClO -. On the other hand, in situ determination of endogenous H 2 S in tissue is still a challenge, because it requires the rapid and sensitive response.…”

Ca-NIR: a ratiometric near-infrared calcium probe based on a dihydroxanthene-hemicyanine fluorophore

“…Although these sensors are generally based on a hydroxyl electron donor group that is either deprotonated 23,24 or uncaged, 25,26,27 introduction of a nitrogen as a donor has also been reported.…”

A new fluorescent probe for colorimetric and ratiometric detection of sulfur dioxide derivatives in liver cancer cells

“…Alternatively, fluorometric analysis has emerged in recent years, which could be used to detect analytes with high sensitivity and high accuracy910. More importantly, in situ and real-time imaging of analytes could be carried out by non-destructive fluorescent probes1112.…”

“…By now, two detection mechanisms have been reported in the design of fluorescent probes for HSO 3 − /SO 3 2− : reactions with HSO 3 − /SO 3 2− and hydrogen-bond formation with HSO 3 − /SO 3 2345678910111213141516. The reactions with HSO 3 − /SO 3 2− include cleavage of levulinate group1718, nucleophilic addition to aldehyde group1920 or “C=C” double bond2122232425262728293031.…”