Recent advances in fluorescence biosensor for caspase detecting and imaging in biomedical applications

Caspases play a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Several types of cell death are related to the activation of specific caspases. To investigate the role of specific cell death pathways in various inflammatory and metabolic disorders, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that trigger caspase activation. Therefore, it is essential to accurately measure the activity of specific caspases under physiological and pathological conditions. Currently, novel fluorescent biosensors for imaging caspase activation have been developed to evaluate the effects of early treatment in certain diseases and further elucidate the crosstalk between caspases and other related factors during inflammation, programmed cell death, and the innate immune response. This review provides a systematic summary of the classification and functions of caspases in different diseases and the latest developments in biosensors that detect caspase activity in the corresponding chapters. Finally, future research directions and challenges are proposed.