Activatable Fluorescent Nanoprobe with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Selective In Vivo Imaging of Elevated Peroxynitrite Generation

An activatable fluorescent nanoprobe with aggregation-induced emission signature is developed. The nanoprobe is nonfluorescent, but can be induced to emit intensely after reaction with peroxynitrite forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Excellent performance for selective in vivo imaging of inflammation with elevated peroxynitrite generation and efficient visualization of in vivo treatment efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents is demonstrated.