A multifunctional AIE probe with dual organelle targeting and without crosstalk for the simultaneous detection of SO2 and viscosity in food samples and rheumatoid arthritis
摘要
Emerging evidence identifies inflammation as a crucial defense mechanism against tissue injury, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations and viscosity potentially interlinked in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation. To enable early RA detection, we developed a dual-channel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescent probe, YF. Through dual localization to mitochondria and lipid droplets, YF enables ultrasensitive monitoring of SO2 at 460 nm and viscosity at 666 nm, with a spectral separation exceeding 200 nm that eliminates signal crosstalk. Notably, YF supports both exogenous and endogenous imaging of sulfur dioxide and viscosity in cellular systems and zebrafish. Subsequent murine imaging studies demonstrated that YF allows rapid identification of RA, as evidenced by markedly intensified fluorescence in RA tissue compared to normal joint tissue—indicative of elevated SO2 levels and viscosity during RA progression. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of the AIE-based dual-channel fluorescent probe YF to elucidate the roles of SO2 and viscosity in inflammation research, offering promising avenues for future investigation.
Graphical Abstract