A triple-targeting and viscosity-sensitive fluorescence probe for visualization of liver injury and tumor models

Abstract

Targeting multiple organelles can provide a more comprehensive understanding of cellular function and metabolism. However, the current research reveals a significant deficiency in the availability of multi-organelle fluorescent probes, which limits ability to study the complex interplay between these organelles in real-time. Furthermore, the development of a multi-organelle viscosity fluorescent probe that is capable of visualizing multiple disease models (liver injury and tumor) poses severe deficiency and remains a great challenge. Herein, for the first time, we developed a novel triple-targeting fluorescence probe (membranes, mitochondria and nuclei, named MMN), which can initially accumulate on the cell membranes, then migrate to mitochondria, and ultimately binds to the nuclei through DNA interaction. MMN consisted of a donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) structure and extended double bonds bridging rotor, which exhibited sensitive response to viscosity and strong fluorescence intensity. The twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) of MMN was suppressed with an increase in viscosity, accompanied by a significant enhancement of red fluorescence signal with emission wavelength of 585 nm. Cascade imaging of mitochondria and nuclei with MMN allowed real-time monitoring and visualization of mitochondrial status within live cells. Using MMN, we have demonstrated the visualization of liver injury and tumor via mitochondrial viscosity imaging. Therefore, MMN holds significance for studies related to mitochondrial injury and the prevention and treatment of associated diseases.