ATP-triggered highly sensitive probes for super-resolution mitochondrial imaging and low-dose bioimaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is crucial in cellular energy and pathological processes like inflammation and liver injury.
• Fluorescence imaging offers powerful in vivo visualization of tissue function.
• Existing ATP probes lack biocompatibility and sufficient fluorescence, limiting their research and clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, biocompatible fluorescent probes for sensitive adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection.
• To utilize ZIF-90 encapsulation for enhanced probe performance.
• To validate probe efficacy in cellular imaging and a liver injury model.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized ATP probes by encapsulating modified dyes within a ZIF-90 framework.
• Investigated probe fluorescence restoration triggered by ATP-Zn²⁺ interaction.
• Assessed probe sensitivity, biocompatibility, and performance in cell imaging and animal models.

Main Results:

• Developed ORhBSO₂@ZIF-90 and SiRhBSO₂@ZIF-90 nanoprobes with high fluorescence quantum yield.
• Achieved low detection limits (7.56 μM and 6.6 μM) and effective cell imaging at low doses (10 μg mL^-1).
• Demonstrated successful application of SiRhBSO₂@ZIF-90 in a liver injury model.

Conclusions:

• ZIF-90 encapsulation enhances dye fluorescence and biocompatibility for ATP probes.
• The developed nanoprobes offer superior sensitivity and performance for in vivo ATP detection.
• This strategy provides a promising platform for advancing ATP-related biomedical research and diagnostics.