Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Monitoring Neuronal Survival via Longitudinal Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: January 19, 2019
Engineering fluorescent NO probes for live-monitoring cellular inflammation and apoptosis
Qun Wu1, Chengbin Liu1, Yifan Liu2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China. tlitao@ustc.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The processes of apoptosis and inflammatory responses, which are defensive strategies used by cells to confront external substances, can give rise to diverse diseases when prolonged or disrupted, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Here we engineered a live-cell imaging fluorescent probe for nitric oxide (NO) based on naphthalimide and o-phenylenediamine, enabling the sensitive detection of NO in cancer cells and thereby live-monitoring of the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and lipopolysaccharide-triggered inflammation reactions. Importantly, we found that the level of released NO can sensitively indicate the early stages of both cellular inflammatory responses and apoptotic processes. This suggested that cellular NO in fact behaves as a new class of signaling molecule for inflammatory responses and apoptosis processes, providing a potent tool for live-monitoring cellular physiological reactions.
Insights
Researchers developed a fluorescent probe to detect nitric oxide (NO) in real-time. This tool monitors cellular apoptosis and inflammation, revealing NO as a key signaling molecule in these processes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cellular Biology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis and inflammation are crucial cellular defense mechanisms.
- Dysregulation of these processes contributes to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in cellular signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a novel live-cell imaging fluorescent probe for nitric oxide (NO).
- To enable sensitive detection and real-time monitoring of NO in cellular processes.
- To investigate the role of NO in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and lipopolysaccharide-triggered inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a naphthalimide and o-phenylenediamine-based fluorescent probe.
- Live-cell imaging techniques for NO detection.
- Application of the probe in cancer cells to monitor apoptosis and inflammation.
Main Results:
- The probe successfully detected NO in cancer cells.
- Real-time monitoring of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and LPS-triggered inflammation was achieved.
- NO levels were found to sensitively indicate early stages of apoptosis and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a signaling molecule in apoptosis and inflammatory responses.
- The developed fluorescent probe provides a potent tool for live-monitoring cellular physiological reactions.
- This technology aids in understanding disease mechanisms and early detection.
