Responsive fluorescence probes for peroxynitrite: Design strategies, reaction mechanisms, and bioimaging applications

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is attracting increasing attention due to its involvement in multiple facets of pathophysiological events. Reliable and accurate detection of biogenic ONOO− will definitely benefit for disentangling its complex functions in living systems. Responsive probe-based fluorescence imaging has become an efficient approach to achieve this goal. To date, plenty of fluorescence probes have been developed for ONOO− bioimaging in living cells and/or in vivo. To highlight the recent advances, this review emphasizes the design strategy, reaction mechanism, and bioimaging applications of ONOO− fluorescence probes developed in recent years. Finally, the challenges and future development trends of ONOO− fluorescence probes are discussed. We believe that this review will provide deep insight and guidance for the fabrication of novel ONOO− fluorescence probes with satisfactory performance, boosting the elucidation of ONOO− biochemistry and biofunction, and promoting the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of ONOO−-related diseases.