Quantitative tracking of endoplasmic reticulum viscosity during ferroptosis by an iridium complex via TPPLM

Herein, we report a neutral iridium complex, [Ir(4-(2-pyridinyl)benzaldehyde)(2)(acetylacetone)] (Ir-ER), with viscosity-responsive phosphorescent emission intensity and lifetime. Quantitative measurement by two-photon phosphorescent lifetime imaging shows that the viscosity of ER increases significantly in the process of erastin-induced ferroptosis. Our work provides an effective strategy for quantitative measurement of the micro-environmental alternations of subcellular organelles during a specific cell death process.

Automated summary

In this study, a neutral iridium complex with viscosity-responsive phosphorescent emission intensity and lifetime was reported. Quantitative measurement using two-photon phosphorescent lifetime imaging revealed significant viscosity increase of ER during erastin-induced ferroptosis. This work offers an effective strategy for quantitatively measuring micro-environmental alterations of subcellular organelles during a specific cell death process.