Imaging Hg<sup>2+</sup>-Induced Oxidative Stress by NIR Molecular Probe with “Dual-Key-and-Lock” Strategy
Xiaopeng Yang, Xiaojing Han, Yongru Zhang, Jianfei Liu, Jun Tang, Di Zhang, Yufen Zhao, Yong Ye
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is considered an extremely toxic heavy metal which is extremely harmful to both the human body and environment. In addition, Hg2+-induced oxidative stress also exerts a crucial role to play in pathophysiological mechanisms of mercury toxicity. Thus, efficient and specific fluorescent probes for imaging Hg2+-induced oxidative stress are necessary. In the present study, we rationally design a novel Hg2+-activated and ICT-based NIR emission fluorescent probe NIR-HO for sequentially monitoring the ONOO– level with a “dual-key-and-lock” strategy. The probe NIR-HO showed rapid response and excellent specificity and sensitivity for the detection of Hg2+ and ONOO– in vitro. Cell imaging demonstrated that Hg2+-induced oxidative stress was involved in ONOO– upregulation. Also, GSH, NAC, and EDTA were employed as excellent detoxifying drugs against Hg2+-induced toxicity. Moreover, the probe NIR-HO was successfully used for imaging Hg2+ and ONOO– in vivo. In brief, NIR-HO provides a simple and powerful approach which can be used to image Hg2+-induced oxidative stress in the pathological environment.