Lysosome targeting carbon dots-based fluorescent probe for monitoring pH changes in vitro and in vivo

The anomalous fluctuations of pH in lysosome will cause the disorder of normal activity of cells and even many diseases. Thus, developing a convenient strategy for tracking pH changes of lysosome is highly desired. Herein, carbon dots (CDs)-based fluorescent probe with lysosome-targeting function was fabricated. CDs can monitor pH changes in live cells and organisms, with the aid of confocal laser scanning microscope and noninvasive optical imaging system. The advantages of CDs including robust photostability, high pH sensitivity and selectivity, good reversibility and low toxicity render them a prominent candidate to investigate pH-associated physiological and pathological processes.