A N^N-bidentate ligand modified with tetraphenylethylene derivative for uranium detection and decorporation in vitro and in vivo

Uranium, once introduced into the human body, tends to accumulate in the kidneys and femurs. Its potent chemical toxicity and radioactivity can lead to severe damage, posing significant health risks. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop low-toxicity materials capable of effectively detecting and removing uranium. In this study, a novel N^N-bidentate ligand modified with a tetraphenylethylene derivative, designated as HI, was synthesized. This bidentate ligand demonstrates dual functionality: it can selectively recognize UO₂^2 + both in vitro and in vivo, and it effectively facilitates the removal of UO₂²⁺. HI exhibits remarkable sensitivity for UO₂²⁺. Compared to a commercial decorporation agent diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), HI shows lower toxicity and superior removal efficiency for UO₂²⁺. Furthermore, HI mitigates oxidative stress and DNA damage by chelating with UO₂²⁺, thereby significantly reducing the high rates of cell apoptosis induced by UO₂²⁺ exposure. Notably, prophylactic administration of HI resulted in the removal of 65.5 % and 39.8 % of UO₂²⁺ from the kidneys and femurs of mice, respectively. Given its promising properties, HI emerges as a potential candidate for both the detection and remediation of UO₂²⁺ pollution, offering a new avenue for addressing the health challenges posed by contamination of uranium.