A near-infrared hemicyanine-derived fluorescent probe for sulfite detection in biomedical investigate

Sulfite (SO₃^2-) plays a crucial role in the transfer of substances and information between organisms and their environments. This study developed a novel hemicyanine-based sensor, named HD-TT, for the real-time and highly sensitive detection of to track the SO₃^2- in the biosystem. The HD-TT probe is selectively activated by SO₃^2-, resulting in simultaneous enhancement of both absorption and fluorescence signals. It displays a linear response to sulfite concentrations and achieves a detection limit of 151.61 nM, reflecting high sensitivity under physiologically relevant conditions. In cellular models, HD-TT effectively monitored dynamic changes in SO₃^2- levels, confirming its capability for real-time tracking in biological environments. In addition, the probe successfully expressed a remarked fluorescence intensity in RA serum samples, underscoring its detecting potential towards SO₃^2-. Furthermore, the probe also exhibited an excellent specificity against common biological interferents and maintained stability across a range of physiological conditions, supporting its suitability in biosystem. These attributes position HD-TT as a promising non-invasive tool for dynamic monitoring SO₃^2-, facilitating an novel perspective in biomedical research.