Long-term dynamic tracking of acute kidney injury by Au nanoclusters-based reversible NIR-II fluorescent probe

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common kidney disease characterized by a sudden decline in renal function. It usually has no clear clinical symptoms in its early stages, but can easily progress to renal failure or even result in death. Real-time monitoring of AKI progression significantly enhances the prospects for early diagnosis and prompt intervention. However, there is no available to monitor AKI as developing a renal-clearable and reversibly responsive probe capable of long-term in vivo track biomarkers of AKI, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), remains an extremely challenging task. Herein, we have constructed a redox-reversible second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescent probe based on Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) for long-term dynamic monitoring of AKI. The probe features NIR-II excitation and emission capabilities, along with effective kidney targeting and prolonged retention, facilitating renal enrichment and enabling long-term high-resolution renal imaging. Notably, it demonstrates rapid and reversible responsiveness to ROS with high sensitivity and selectivity, permitting real-time monitoring of redox fluctuations in vivo. Given its exceptional performance, the probe achieves unprecedented real-time dynamic tracking of AKI progression, providing crucial redox status information during the disease process. Additionally, the probe can serve as an effective new tool for screening of potential therapeutic drugs for AKI. This work may offer some substantial promotion for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.