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Lipid-Targeting Multiresponsive Benzothiadiazole Fluorophore for Live-Cell Imaging and Real-Time Liver Injury
Brenno A D Neto1,2, Fabiano S Rodembusch3, Jose Raimundo Correa1
1University of Brasília, Chemistry Institute (IQ-UnB), Laboratory of Medicinal and Technological Chemistry, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil.
Chemical & Biomedical Imaging
|July 30, 2026
Summary
This study introduces BTD-4AS, a novel fluorophore with multiresponsive photophysical properties. It acts as a versatile probe for cellular imaging and detecting liver injury in mice.
Area of Science:
- Photophysics
- Chemical Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Donor-acceptor fluorophores are crucial for sensing applications.
- Benzothiadiazole derivatives offer tunable photophysical properties.
- Developing probes for complex biological environments remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the multiresponsive photophysical behavior of BTD-4AS.
- To evaluate BTD-4AS as a versatile probe for polarity, viscosity, and pH.
- To demonstrate BTD-4AS for cellular bioimaging and in vivo disease reporting.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopic analysis (solvatochromism, viscosity, temperature dependence).
- Lippert-Mataga and Reichardt analyses to support theoretical models.
- Cellular imaging of lipid droplets and in vivo liver injury studies in a mouse model.
Main Results:
- BTD-4AS exhibits pronounced solvatochromism, viscosity- and temperature-dependent emission, and large Stokes shifts.
- Fluorescence is highly pH-sensitive (optimal pH ≈6-8) and enhanced in micellar/viscous media.
- BTD-4AS selectively images lipid droplets and distinguishes between healthy and injured liver tissue in mice.
Conclusions:
- BTD-4AS is a photostable and lipophilic fluorophore with multiresponsive characteristics.
- Its properties enable its use as a versatile probe for various environmental parameters.
- BTD-4AS shows significant potential for cellular bioimaging and disease diagnostics.
