Endoplasmic Reticulum Peroxynitrite Fluctuations in Hypoxia-Induced Endothelial Injury and Sepsis with a Two-Photon Fluorescence Probe

Sepsis is a serious systemic inflammatory disease that frequently results in death. Early diagnosis and timely targeted interventions could improve the therapeutic effect. Recent work has revealed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and hypoxia-induced endothelial injury play significant roles in sepsis. However, the relationship between the levels of peroxynitrite (ONOO–) and hypoxia-induced endothelial injury as well as different states of sepsis remain unexplored. Herein, we developed a unique two-photon fluorescent probe (ER-ONOO–) for detecting ONOO– in aqueous solution that has high sensitivity, high selectivity, and ultrafast response time. In addition, ER-ONOO– was successfully used to evaluate the levels of ONOO– at the ER with three kinds of methods in a hypoxia-induced endothelial injury model. Furthermore, ER-ONOO– is capable of monitoring the changes in organ fluorescence through ONOO– variation in different stages of a cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model. Moreover, we also confirmed that the endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress participated in the CLP model. Consequently, this research can provide a reliable tool for studying ONOO– fluctuation in sepsis and provide new insights into the pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms involved.