Lipid Droplet-Targeted NIR Polarity Probe for the Imaging of Acute Asthma In Vivo

Polarity changes are significant indicators during inflammation. Acute lung injury (ALI) and asthma, both inflammatory lung diseases, necessitate the detection of these polarity changes for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. We designed and synthesized a lipid droplet-targeting, polarity-dependent near-infrared fluorescent probe, MY-1, on the basis of an intramolecular charge-transfer mechanism to noninvasively detect these inflammatory conditions. The probe exhibits a consistent decrease in fluorescence intensity with an increase in solvent polarity, demonstrating excellent photostability and biocompatibility. Utilizing MY-1, we can differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells and successfully detect polarity changes targeting lipid droplets within the lungs of mice suffering from ALI and asthma. Furthermore, we can monitor the therapeutic effects of dexamethasone on asthmatic mice, confirming the clinical application potential of MY-1. In summary, we believe that MY-1 offers a novel and effective approach to the diagnosis of acute ALI and asthma.