A highly sensitive and selective chemiluminescent probe for peroxynitrite detection in vitro, in vivo and in human liver cancer tissue

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is one of the important active nitrogen/reactive oxygen species that plays various roles in biological processes, such as inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Recent studies have shown that a significant increases in ONOO− content during tumor development, which is closely related to the level of oxidative stress within the tumor. It has been found that herbicide paraquat (PQ) can significantly increase the level of ONOO− in cells. Therefore, accurate monitoring abnormal changes in ONOO− caused by environmental hazardous materials and tumors is helpful in promoting the diagnosis and treatment of oxidative stress diseases (tumors), evenly environmental detection. Currently, traditional fluorescent probes for ONOO− detection have background interference. To address this, we developed a chemiluminescent probe (CL-1) and a fluorescent probe (Flu-1), using diphenyl phosphonate as a recognition group. CL-1 shows extremely sensitivity (9.8 nM), a high signal-to-noise(S/N) ratio (502), and excellent bioimaging capabilities compared to fluorescent probe (Flu-1). We have successfully used CL-1 to detect ONOO− produced by PQ stimulated cells, as well as endogenous ONOO− in tumor cells, mice, and human liver cancer tissues. Therefore, CL-1 can not only be a valuable tool for visualizing tumor and studying the role of ONOO− in tumor pathology, but the probe has the potential to be a powerful molecular imaging tool for exploring the complex biological role of ONOO− in a variety of biological Settings.