Visulization of peroxynitrite variation for accurate diagnosis and assessing treatment response of hepatic fibrosis using a Golgi-targetable ratiometric fluorescent probe

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is caused by persistent inflammation, which is closely associated with hepatic oxidative stress. Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) is significantly elevated in HF, which would be regarded as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of HF. Research has shown that ONOO⁻ in the Golgi apparatus can be overproduced in HF, and it can induce hepatocyte injury by triggering Golgi oxidative stress. Meanwhile, the ONOO⁻ inhibitors could effectively relieve HF by inhibiting Golgi ONOO⁻, but as yet, no Golgi-targetable fluorescent probe available for diagnosis and assessing treatment response of HF through sensing Golgi ONOO⁻. To this end, we reported a ratiometric fluorescent probe, Golgi-PER, for diagnosis and assessing treatment response of HF through monitoring the Golgi ONOO⁻. Golgi-PER displayed satisfactory sensitivity, low detection limit, and exceptional selectivity to ONOO⁻. Combined with excellent biocompatibility and good Golgi-targeting ability, Golgi-PER was further used for ratiometric monitoring the Golgi ONOO⁻ fluctuations and screening of ONOO⁻ inhibitors from polyphenols in living cells. Meanwhile, using Golgi-PER as a probe, the overexpression of Golgi ONOO⁻ in HF and the treatment response of HF to the screened rosmarinic acid were precisely visualized for the first time. Furthermore, the screened RosA has a remarkable therapeutic effect on HF, which may be a new strategy for HF treatment. These results demonstrated the practicability of Golgi-PER for monitoring the occurrence, development, and personalized treatment response of HF.