BODIPY-based rapid response fluorescence probe for sensing and bioimaging endogenous superoxide anion in living cells

The superoxide anion radical (O₂^-), a pernicious ROS in living cells, has long been recognized as an important cell signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including innate immunity and metabolic homeostasis. Here, we developed a new bodipy-based fluorescent probe for monitoring O₂^- based on the selective cleavage of phosphate bond in BODIPY-T by O₂^-, producing a high-brightness fluorescent BODIPY-COOH. The probe exhibits excellent selectivity for O₂^- with little interference from other ROS species. Fluorescence imaging of RAW264.7 cells also demonstrated successful detection of endogenous O₂^- changes in living cells, indicating that BODIPY-T is a potential probe for the diagnosis and study of the corresponding diseases.