Intracellular pH plays very important roles in many processes such as the cell functions and regulations, proliferation, cellular apoptosis, enzymatic activity, ion transport and endocytosis. Abnormal intracellular pH values are associated with many diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s diseases. Therefore, the accurate monitoring pH fluctuations in live cells are of significant importance to understand physiological and pathological processes, and help to explore cellular functions. Fluorescence imaging offers a powerful tool to determine intracellular pH due to its numerous advantages such as high sensitivity, rapid response, high spatial and temporal resolution, operational simplicity, noninvasiveness, and real-time monitoring.  We have developed a series of near-infrared fluorescent probes based on near-infrared BODIPY, rhodamine and cyanine dyes for sensitive detection of intracellular pH changes by taking advantage of near-infrared imaging unique features such as  low  biological autofluorescence background, low photo bleaching issue, and deep tissue penetration.  In order to overcome systematic errors of intensity-based fluorescent probes caused by the fluctuations of excitation light source, sample heterogeneity, uneven dye distribution, concentration variations, and compartmental localization, we also developed ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probes to achieve better performance and reliability in quantitative and comparative analyses of pH changes in live cells through a built-in self-calibration function with dual emission bands.

Ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probes for sensitive detection of intracellular pH changes

2019 Fall National Meeting

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