Dual-ratiometric fluorescent probes for monitoring ClO- and polarity dynamics in ferroptosis

Unveiling the dynamics of intracellular hypochlorite (ClO-) and polarity during ferroptosis is essential for understanding the role of ferroptosis in the development of related diseases. Herein, dual-ratiometric fluorescent probes, PTZ-PY, PTZ-IN and PTZ-QL, were developed for simultaneous detection of ClO- and polarity with high sensitivity and good selectivity. Under single-wavelength excitation, the exemplified probe PTZ-QL displayed distinctive fluorescence changes in response to ClO- and polarity alterations: red to green fluorescence change in response to ClO-, and red to orange fluorescence change in response to decreased polarity. The preliminary biological applications using probe PTZ-QL were successfully applied to image the increase in the concentration of ClO- and the increase in the polarity during ferroptosis. [Display omitted] •The probes showed dual-ratiometric fluorescence responses toward ClO- and polarity.•Probe PTZ-QL demonstrated a potential for imaging ClO- and polarity during ferroptosis.•The probes displayed good selectivity and high sensitivity.