Lysosome-Targeted Dual-Functional Probe Capable of Detecting Acute Kidney Injury via In Vivo Imaging and Urinary...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Imaging
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant global health issue.
• Current detection methods lack sensitivity and real-time in vivo capabilities.
• Dual-target responsive fluorescent probes offer enhanced reliability for disease diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a lysosome-targeted, dual-functional fluorescent probe (MDSM-L) for quantitative detection of albumin and real-time in vivo imaging of drug-induced AKI.
• To assess the probe's ability to detect changes in serum/urine albumin and kidney lysosomal viscosity during AKI.
• To evaluate MDSM-L as a novel diagnostic tool for drug-induced AKI.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of the dual-functional fluorescent probe MDSM-L.
• In vitro studies using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and living cells to assess fluorescence activation by albumin and viscosity.
• In vivo studies using a mouse model of drug-induced AKI for kidney targeting, albumin quantification, and imaging.
• Analysis of serum/urine albumin levels and kidney lysosomal viscosity changes.

Main Results:

• MDSM-L demonstrated sensitive fluorescence activation in response to albumin and viscosity changes at specific wavelengths.
• The probe successfully detected albumin and lysosomal viscosity changes in living cells.
• MDSM-L specifically targeted the kidney and enabled quantitative analysis of albumin in serum and urine of AKI mice.
• AKI was associated with decreased serum albumin, increased urine albumin, and elevated lysosomal viscosity in kidney tissue.

Conclusions:

• MDSM-L serves as an effective lysosome-targeted, dual-responsive fluorescent probe for albumin and viscosity.
• The probe facilitates real-time in vivo imaging and quantitative analysis of drug-induced AKI.
• MDSM-L presents a promising novel diagnostic strategy for early detection and monitoring of AKI.