Cell Membrane-Targeted Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Dynamic Visualization of Brain Nitric Oxide in Epilepsy.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Chemical Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical signaling molecule implicated in oxidative stress during epilepsy.
• Accurate in situ detection of NO in the brain is essential for epilepsy research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel NO-responsive fluorescent probes for in situ brain imaging.
• To assess the efficacy of a specific probe, MB-NH, for targeting cell membranes and penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of BODIPY-based fluorescent probes (B-NH, MB-NH, FMB-NH, TMB-NH).
• Evaluation of probe properties including cell membrane targeting, BBB penetration (via cLogP), selectivity, sensitivity, response time, and biocompatibility.
• In situ brain imaging in epileptic mouse models to detect NO levels.

Main Results:

• MB-NH demonstrated excellent cell membrane targeting and BBB penetration.
• The probe exhibited high selectivity, sensitivity (10 nM detection limit), and rapid response (<10 s) to NO.
• MB-NH successfully achieved in situ brain imaging, revealing abnormal NO upregulation in epileptic mouse models.

Conclusions:

• MB-NH serves as an effective tool for visualizing NO in the brain at the cell membrane level.
• This probe offers potential for epilepsy diagnosis and evaluating antiepileptic drug efficacy.