A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for imagining hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays an important role in regulating varieties of important physiological and patho-logical processes. Thus the development of fluorescent probe for the detection of H2S is of great significance and has attracted much attention recently. Herein, we reported a novel near-infrared (NIR) emitting fluorescent probe WFP-PC, which contained a positive charged hemicyanine-based WFP-OH as fluorophore and thiobenzoate unit as a specific reaction site. After treated with H2S, the probe exhibited significant fluorescence enhancement and response time within 4 min and detection limit as low as 0.47 mu M, accompanied by color changes from purple to blue. The probe was successfully applied to imaging the exogenous/endogenous H2S in cells and mice, suggesting it could be a promising molecular tool for H2S detection in living systems.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel near-infrared emitting fluorescent probe WFP-PC was developed for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The probe showed significant fluorescence enhancement and a response time within 4 minutes upon treatment with H2S, with a detection limit as low as 0.47 μM. It was successfully applied for imaging exogenous/endogenous H2S in cells and mice, indicating its potential as a molecular tool for H2S detection in living systems.