Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of HOCl/OCl– Based on Fluorescein Derivatives

Novel fluorescence probe for ClO- in living cells: Based on FRET mechanism

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) as a kind of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a vital role in many biological processes. Organic fluorescence probes have attracted great interests for the detection of HClO, due to their relatively high selectivity and sensitivity, satisfactory spatiotemporal resolution and good biocompatibility. Constructing fluorescence probes to detect HClO with advantages of large Stokes shift, wide emission gap, near infrared emission and good water solubility is still challenging. In this work, a new ratiometric fluorescence probe (named HCY) for HClO was developed. FRET-based HCY was constructed by bonding a coumarin and a flavone fluorophore. In absence of HClO, HCY exists FRET process, however, FRET is inhibited in the presence of HClO because the conjugated double bond broke. Due to the good match of the emission spectrum of the donor and the absorption spectrum of the acceptor, the FRET system appears favorable energy transfer efficiency. HCY showed high sensitivity and rapid response time. The linearity between the ratios of fluorescence intensity and concentration of HClO was established with a low limit of detection. What's more, HCY was also applied for fluorescence images of HClO in RAW264.7 cells.

Ex Tenebris Lux: Illuminating Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species with Small Molecule Probes

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are small reactive molecules derived from elements in the air─oxygen and nitrogen. They are produced in biological systems to mediate fundamental aspects of cellular signaling but must be very tightly balanced to prevent indiscriminate damage to biological molecules. Small molecule probes can transmute the specific nature of each reactive oxygen and nitrogen species into an observable luminescent signal (or even an acoustic wave) to offer sensitive and selective imaging in living cells and whole animals. This review focuses specifically on small molecule probes for superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite that provide a luminescent or photoacoustic signal. Important background information on general photophysical phenomena, common probe designs, mechanisms, and imaging modalities will be provided, and then, probes for each analyte will be thoroughly evaluated. A discussion of the successes of the field will be presented, followed by recommendations for improvement and a future outlook of emerging trends. Our objectives are to provide an informative, useful, and thorough field guide to small molecule probes for reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as important context to compare the ecosystem of chemistries and molecular scaffolds that has manifested within the field.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cell imaging and sensing applications of fluorescein derivatives: A review

Fluorescein itself is a synthetic organic compound and a prominent member of the xanthene dye family. It exhibits strong fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) or blue light excitation, making it widely used in various applications, including fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, immunoassays, and molecular biology techniques. One of the reasons fluorescein derivatives are highly valuable is their tunable fluorescence properties. Through chemical modifications of the fluorescein structure, different functional groups or substituents can be introduce, altering the compound's fluorescence characteristics such as emission wavelength, intensity, and photo stability. This flexibility allows for tailoring of fluorescent probes to specific experimental requirements, enhancing their utility in a range of scientific disciplines. Fluorescein derivatives also possess excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. This review sheds light on the significant impact of fluorescein derivatives as biological active compounds, highlighting their potential in designing new therapeutic agents with antimicrobial properties. Additionally, their role as antioxidants is discussed. A major aspect covered in the review is the application of fluorescein derivatives as powerful cell imaging probes. Their unique fluorescent properties make them valuable tools for visualizing cellular structures and processes, opening up new possibilities for studying cellular dynamics and interactions.

Novel NIR fluorescent probe for hypochlorite ion detection in biological systems

This study presents the synthesis and application of a novel fluorescent probe, NR-ClO, for the detection of hypochlorite ion (ClO-) in biological systems. The probe was synthesized through a nucleophilic substitution reaction between Nile red and dimethylcarbamothioic chloride. The synthesized probe had high sensitivity and selectivity towards ClO-, with a detection limit of 75 nM and a linear range of 0.1-200 μM. The probe's efficacy was validated through in vitro studies using HepG2 cells and in vivo experiments using a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. The findings demonstrate that the NR-ClO probe is a promisingly reliable tool for real-time monitoring of ClO- in complex biological environments.

A Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection and Imaging of Mercury Ions in Living Cells

The selective and efficient monitoring of mercury (Hg2+ ) contamination found in the environment and ecosystem has been carried out. Thus, a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NADP for the detection of Hg2+ based on a fluorescence enhancement strategy has been designed and synthesized. The NADP probe can detect Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 13 nm. The detection mechanism was based on a Hg2+ -triggered deprotection reaction, resulting in a dramatic change in fluorescence from colorless to green at physiological pH. Most importantly, biological investigation has shown that the NADP probe can be successfully applied to the monitoring of Hg2+ in living cells and zebrafish with low cytotoxicity.

Fluorescein Based Fluorescence Sensors for the Selective Sensing of Various Analytes

Fluorescein molecules are extensively used to develop fluorescent probes for various analytes due to their excellent photophysical properties and the spirocyclic structure. The main structural modification of fluorescein occurs at the carboxyl group where different groups can be easily introduced to produce the spirolactam structure which is non-fluorescent. The spirolactam ring opening accounts for the fluorescence and the dual sensing of analytes using fluorescent sensors is still a topic of high interest. There is an increase in the number of dual sensors developed in the past five years and quite a good number of fluorescein derivatives were also reported based on reversible mechanisms. This review analyses environmentally and biologically important cations such as Cu2+, Hg2+, Fe3+, Pd2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Mg2+; anions (F-, OCl-) and small molecules (thiols, CO and H2S). Structural modifications, binding mechanisms, different strategies and a comparative study for selected cations, anions and molecules are outlined in the article.

Real-time detection and imaging of exogenous and endogenous Zn2+ in the PC12 cell model of depression with a NIR fluorescent probe

Depression is closely related to overactivation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors, and Zn2+ is a vital NMDA receptor modulator involved in the pathophysiological and physiological processes of depression. Therefore, quantitative and real-time detection of Zn2+ is very important for understanding the pathogenesis of depression. In this work, a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe ISO-DPA was designed and synthesized for Zn2+ detection with a large Stokes shift (185 nm), high quantum yield (up to 44%), high sensitivity (LOD = 0.106 μM) and good pH stability. The probe showed rapid response within 10 s, accompanied by a distinct fluorescence change from faint to bright pink with the fluorescence intensity increasing 4.5-fold. Moreover, the sensing mechanism of ISO-DPA towards Zn2+ was supported by MALDI-TOF-MS and Job's plot. The probe ISO-DPA could detect instantaneous variation of exogenous and endogenous Zn2+ in PC12 cells. The bioimaging results reveal the increase of the endogenous Zn2+ concentration in PC12 cells under the oxidative stress induced by glutamate and confirm that overactivation of NMDA receptors results in an increase of the Zn2+ level. All the results proved that ISO-DPA is an excellent probe for detecting Zn2+ in solution and living cells and could help us better understand Zn2+ associated pathogenesis of depression.

Designing enhanced and ratiometric probes for detecting OCl- based on substituents influencing the fluorescence of HBT and their application in strips and bioimaging

Nitro groups with a strong electron-withdrawing effect can powerfully influence the fluorescence of fluorophores. In this work, through adjusting the nitro group at the HBT fluorophore to construct a phenylhydrazone structure, two probes (HBTN and HBTH) were synthesized to detect OCl-. Consequently, HBTN with the nitro group quenched the fluorescence of HBT and HBTH without the nitro group causing a redshift of the fluorescence, which resulted in enhanced and ratiometric fluorescence signal changes during the detection process. Among them, HBTN shows good ability to selectively detect OCl- in the concentration range of 0-14 μM with the detection limit of 2.06 nM. Based on HBTN, a portable test strip for detecting OCl- was made for the convenient quantification of the OCl- concentration with a spectrophotometer, and exogenous and endogenous OCl- was successfully imaged in cells.

4-aminoantipyrine modified carbon dots and their analytical applications through response surface methodology

A sensitive and selective nanoprobe for detection of hypochlorite (OCl^-) based on 4-aminoantipyrine (AAP) modified carbon dots (CDs-AAP) has been prepared. The CDs-AAP exhibit an emission peak at 484 nm when the excitation wavelength is 370 nm, accompanying 36 nm red shift compare with the pristine CDs. The addition of OCl^- lead to the AAP on the surface of CDs experience a process of hydrazide hydrolysis and double bond addition, causing the singlet and triplet electrons of the excited state more closer in energy (ie, the energy difference between the two is reduced), eventually quenching the fluorescence of CDs due to heavy atomic effects. Central composite design (CCD) and response surface method (RSM) were used to optimize the detection variables of pH, incubation time and temperature. The designed model study indicated that the optimum detection conditions was pH 7.0, temperature 30 °C and incubation time 20 min, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescent intensity of the nanoprobe linearly responded to the OCl^- concentration from 3 μM to 36 μM and the limit of detection was 40 nM. The proposed nanoprobe was successfully used to the detection of OCl^- in tap water and pool water, and the recovery were in the range of 94% - 103%. In addition, the nanoprobe was also applied in imaging of VMSCs cells and labeling E.coli.

Synthesis of Pluri-Functional Amine Hardeners from Bio-Based Aromatic Aldehydes for Epoxy Amine Thermosets

Most of the current amine hardeners are petro-sourced and only a few studies have focused on the research of bio-based substitutes. Hence, in an eco-friendly context, our team proposed the design of bio-based amine monomers with aromatic structures. This work described the use of the reductive amination with imine intermediate in order to obtain bio-based pluri-functional amines exhibiting low viscosity. The effect of the nature of initial aldehyde reactant on the hardener properties was studied, as well as the reaction conditions. Then, these pluri-functional amines were added to petro-sourced (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA) or bio-based (diglycidyl ether of vanillin alcohol, DGEVA) epoxy monomers to form thermosets by step growth polymerization. Due to their low viscosity, the epoxy-amine mixtures were easily homogenized and cured more rapidly compared to the use of more viscous hardeners (<0.6 Pa s at 22 °C). After curing, the thermo-mechanical properties of the epoxy thermosets were determined and compared. The isophthalatetetramine (IPTA) hardener, with a higher number of amine active H, led to thermosets with higher thermo-mechanical properties (glass transition temperatures (T_g and T_α) were around 95 °C for DGEBA-based thermosets against 60 °C for DGEVA-based thermosets) than materials from benzylamine (BDA) or furfurylamine (FDA) that contained less active hydrogens (T_g and T_α around 77 °C for DGEBA-based thermosets and T_g and T_α around 45 °C for DGEVA-based thermosets). By comparing to industrial hardener references, IPTA possesses six active hydrogens which obtain high cross-linked systems, similar to industrial references, and longer molecular length due to the presence of two alkyl chains, leading respectively to high mechanical strength with lower T_g.

A Redox-Switchable Colorimetric Probe for "Naked-Eye" Detection of Hypochlorous Acid and Glutathione

We report the development of a new colorimetric probe (L-ol) for investigations of the redox process regulated by hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and glutathione (GSH). The HOCl/GSH redox-switching cycle process was investigated in detail by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, colorimetric analysis assay and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The switchable absorbance responses were attributed to the HOCl-induced oxidation of the p-methoxyphenol unit to the benzoquinone derivative (L-one) and sequential reduction of L-one to hydroquinone (L-ol') by GSH. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) buffer, the absorbance of L-ol at 619 nm underwent a remarkable bathochromic-shift, accompanied by a color change from pale yellow to blue in the presence of HOCl. With further addition of GSH, the absorbance of L-one exclusively recovered to the original level. Meanwhile, the blue-colored solution returned to the naive pale yellow color in the presence of GSH. The detection limits for HOCl and GSH were calculated to be 6.3 and 96 nM according to the IUPAC criteria. Furthermore, L-ol-loaded chromatography plates have been prepared and successfully applied to visualize and quantitatively analyze HOCl in several natural waters.

Synthesis and spectral analysis of fluorescent probes for Ce4+ and OCl- ions based on fluorescein Schiff base with amino or hydrazine structure: Application in actual water samples and biological imaging

Two Schiff base fluorescein probes (FDA, FDH) based on fluorescein-aldehyde and nitroaniline derivatives were synthesized. The effects of amino and hydrazine substituents in fluorescein backbones were examined via fluorescence and absorbance spectra. In the presence of Ce⁴⁺, the fluorescence of FDA was quenched due to the ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). Hypochloric acid can react with the CN bond, and blocking the photo induced electron transfer (PET) of FDH leads to enhancement of the fluorescence. FDA showed detection limits for Ce⁴⁺ and OCl^- as low as 63 nM in concentration range of 0-4 μM. FDH showed detection limits for OCl^- as low as 0.8 μM in concentration rang 0-100 μM. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane containing the probes was prepared for the real-time qualitative detection of Ce⁴⁺ and OCl^- in real water samples. The probes were successfully applied to biological imaging in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and are expected to find applications in biosensing.

Bioluminescent probe for detecting endogenous hypochlorite in living mice

As a kind of biologically important reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypochlorite (ClO^-) plays a crucial role in many physiological processes. As such, endogenous ClO^- is a powerful antibacterial agent during pathogen invasion. Nonetheless, excessive endogenous ClO^- could pose a health threat to mammalian animals including humans. However, the detection of endogenous ClO^- by bioluminescence probes in vivo remains a considerable challenge. Herein, based on a caged strategy, we developed a turn-on bioluminescent probe 1 for the highly selective detection of ClO^-in vitro and imaging endogenous ClO^- in a mouse inflammation model. We anticipate that such a probe could help us understand the role of endogenous ClO^- in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe for monitoring leucine aminopeptidase in living cells

A novel water-soluble near-infrared fluorescent probe (CHMC-M-Leu) for specific monitoring of LAP in vitro and in vivo.

A novel highly specific and ultrasensitive fluorescent probe for monitoring hypochlorous acid and its application in live cells

Based on the important role of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the immune system and numerous physiological processes, the detection of intracellular basal HOCl is of significant interest. In this work, we present a simple thiocarbamate-protected fluorescein fluorescent probe, TCFL, for imaging basal HOCl in live cells. Surprisingly, probe TCFL could determine HOCl quantitatively in a large concentration range with a detection limit of 0.65 nM. In addition, probe TCFL showed excellent specificity for HOCl in the presence of other higher concentration analytes (1 mM). Moreover, probe TCFL exhibited a rapid response (within 3 s) to HOCl and thus could provide a tool for real-time monitoring of HOCl. Importantly, probe TCFL with outstanding response features could be applied for monitoring basal HOCl in live cells.

A highly specific, ultrasensitive, thiocarbamate-caged fluorescein probe was developed for real-time detection of HOCl in live cells.

A benzothiazole-based fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid detection and imaging in living cells

A benzothiazole-based turn-on fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift (190nm) has been developed for hypochlorous acid detection. The probe displays prompt fluorescence response for HClO with excellent selectivity over other reactive oxygen species as well as a low detection limit of 0.08μM. The sensing mechanism involves the HClO-induced specific oxidation of oxime moiety of the probe to nitrile oxide, which was confirmed by HPLC-MS technique. Furthermore, imaging studies demonstrated that the probe is cell permeable and can be applied to detect HClO in living cells.

A highly specific and ultrasensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging basal hypochlorite in the mitochondria of living cells

The development of highly specific and ultrasensitive fluorescent probes for tracking basal mitochondrial hypochlorite is very important to unravel its diverse cellular functions in the mitochondria of living cells. In this paper, we have developed a water-soluble, mitochondria-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe NB-OCl for selectively measuring OCl^- in the presence of higher concentration (500 μM) other biologically important substances. Surprisingly, the obtained results demonstrated that probe NB-OCl could sensitively determine OCl^- in the range of 0-200 pM with the detection limit of 10.8 pM. To the best of our knowledge, NB-OCl is the first fluorescent probe for the specific determination of OCl^- at the picomolar level. Moreover, probe NB-OCl exhibits a fast response for OCl^- (< 5 s), which would be in favor of tracking the highly reactive and short-lived OCl^- in the living systems. The preeminent recognition properties of probe NB-OCl enable its applications in the monitoring of basal OCl^- and the fluctuations of endogenous/exogenous OCl^- levels in the mitochondria of living cells.

Superoxide Anion Biosensor Based on Bionic-Enzyme Hyperbranched Polyester Particles

Self-assembly techniques have been demonstrated to be a useful approach to developing new functional nanomaterials. In this study, a novel method to fabricate a manganese phosphate self-assembly monolayer (SAM) on a hyperbranched polyester (HBPE-OH) nanoparticle surface is described. First, the second-generation aliphatic HBPE-OH was carboxy-terminated, phosphorylated, and then ionized with manganese by a three-step modification process. The final product of HBPE-AMPA-Mn2+ particles was obtained and characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Zeta potential, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Moreover, the HBPE-AMPA-Mn2+ particles were used to construct a novel biosensor for detection of superoxide anions (O2•−) released from HeLa cells. Results showed that the response currents of this biosensor were proportional to the O2•− concentration ranging from 0.79 to 16.6 μM, and provided an extremely low detection limit of 0.026 μM (S/N = 3). The results indicate that the particle-decorated electrode surface, which involved a hyperbranched structure and a surface self-assembly technology, proposed here will offer the ideal catalytic system for electrochemical enzymatic sensors.

A fast-response fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid detection and its application in exogenous and endogenous HOCl imaging of living cells

A facile fluorescent probe for exogenous and endogenous HOCl detection in living cells.

A novel (3,6-di-tert-butylcarbazol-9-yl) triphenylamine–BODIPY–tricyanofuran conjugated dye: synthesis and rapid naked-eye detection of hypochlorite

A colorimetric and ratiometric probe, BCPA–BODIPY–TCF, for hypochlorite (ClO⁻) based on a D–π–A structure was synthesized through the Knoevenagel reaction.