A novel fluorescent probe for real-time imaging of thionitrous acid under inflammatory and oxidative conditions

Thionitrous acid (HSNO), a crosstalk intermediate of two crucial gasotransmitters nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, plays a critical role in redox regulation of cellular signaling and functions. However, real-time and facile detection of HSNO with high selectivity and sensitivity remains highly challenging. Herein we report a novel fluorescent probe (SNP-1) for HSNO detection. SNP-1 has a simple molecular structure, but showing strong fluorescence, a low detection limit, a broad linear detection range (from nanomolar to micromolar concentrations), ultrasensitivity, and high selectivity for HSNO in both aqueous media and cells. Benefiting from these unique features, SNP-1 could effectively visualize changes of HSNO levels in mouse models of acute ulcerative colitis and renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Moreover, the good correlation between colonic HSNO levels and disease activity index demonstrated that HSNO is a promising new diagnostic agent for acute ulcerative colitis. Therefore, SNP-1 can serve as a useful fluorescent probe for precision detection of HSNO in various biological systems, thereby facilitating mechanistic studies, therapeutic assessment, and high-content drug screening for corresponding diseases.