A Multi-Analyte-Responsive, Multi-Organ-Imaging, Dual-NIR-Emissive Fluorescent Probe for Visualizing...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Toxicology
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Mercury ions (Hg2+) are toxic heavy metals causing significant environmental and health concerns.
• Hepatorenall injury is a critical consequence of mercury exposure, necessitating early detection methods.
• Existing diagnostic tools lack the ability for simultaneous liver and kidney imaging and multi-parameter monitoring during mercury toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional fluorescent probe (VPO) for sensitive detection and imaging of Hg2+-induced hepatorenal injury.
• To enable simultaneous in vivo monitoring of multiple pathological parameters including polarity, viscosity, and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels.
• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against Hg2+-induced damage.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel multifunctional fluorescent probe, VPO.
• In vitro studies using cells to monitor polarity, viscosity, and ONOO- levels.
• In vivo imaging studies in zebrafish and mice exposed to mercury.
• Assessment of NAC treatment efficacy in reversing mercury-induced biomarkers.

Main Results:

• VPO demonstrated high sensitivity and biocompatibility for detecting Hg2+ toxicity.
• The probe successfully visualized increased ONOO-, elevated mitochondrial viscosity, and reduced polarity during pyroptosis in mercury-exposed models.
• VPO enabled real-time monitoring of these changes in cells, zebrafish, and mice.
• NAC treatment was shown to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by reversing Hg2+-induced biomarker changes.

Conclusions:

• VPO offers a comprehensive platform for the early diagnosis of mercury poisoning.
• The probe facilitates therapeutic evaluation and mechanistic investigation of Hg2+-induced hepatorenal injury.
• VPO's multiresponsive nature allows for simultaneous monitoring of critical pathological parameters in vivo.