Near infrared fluorescent probe for in vivo bioimaging of endogenous hypochlorous acid

Abstract Accurate detection of HOCl with high sensitivity and high selectivity is essential to elucidate its functions in health or disease states. Herein we propose a new fluorescence HOCl probe (NFL-S) by combining reasonable design strategies and dye screening methods. The probe NFL-S has fast response rate, excellent sensitivity (LOD = 35.0 nM) and outstanding selectivity toward HOCl. It has been successfully applied to detect endogenous HOCl produced by RAW264.7 cells, and further applied to oxidative stress imaging in a mouse arthritis model. Therefore, the probe NFL-S is highly promising to be useful for biological tool to disclose the roles of HOCl in different physiological and pathological contexts.