A near-infrared fluorescent probe based on the hemicyanine skeleton for the detection of hydrogen peroxide in vivo

As a member of the reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays critical roles in oxidative stress and cell signaling. Intracellular abnormal levels of H2O2 production are closely related to many diseases. Therefore, the real-time monitoring of H2O2 in the cells is important. In this work, we designed a novel fluorescent probe (Mito-H2O2) for the specific detection of H2O2 based on the hemicyanine skeleton, with bright near-infrared fluorescence emission. Mito-H2O2 displayed fast response, excellent water-solubility and great fluorescence intensity enhancement after the addition of H2O2. Furthermore, Mito-H2O2 has been successfully applied to image both of the exogenous and endogenous H2O2 in cells and mice with negligible cytotoxity. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a crucial member of reactive oxygen species, playing critical roles in oxidative stress and cell signaling. Abnormal levels of intracellular H2O2 production are closely related to many diseases, highlighting the importance of real-time monitoring. The novel fluorescent probe Mito-H2O2 shows fast response, excellent water solubility, and significant fluorescence intensity enhancement, making it successful for imaging H2O2 in cells and mice with minimal cytotoxicity.