Imaging Hg2+-Induced Oxidative Stress by NIR Molecular Probe with “Dual-Key-and-Lock” Strategy

Mercury (Hg) is considered an extremely toxic heavy metal which is extremely harmful to both the human body and environment. In addition, Hg2+-induced oxidative stress also exerts a crucial role to play in pathophysiological mechanisms of mercury toxicity. Thus, efficient and specific fluorescent probes for imaging Hg2+-induced oxidative stress are necessary. In the present study, we rationally design a novel Hg2+-activated and ICT-based NIR emission fluorescent probe NIR-HO for sequentially monitoring the ONOO– level with a “dual-key-and-lock” strategy. The probe NIR-HO showed rapid response and excellent specificity and sensitivity for the detection of Hg2+ and ONOO– in vitro. Cell imaging demonstrated that Hg2+-induced oxidative stress was involved in ONOO– upregulation. Also, GSH, NAC, and EDTA were employed as excellent detoxifying drugs against Hg2+-induced toxicity. Moreover, the probe NIR-HO was successfully used for imaging Hg2+ and ONOO– in vivo. In brief, NIR-HO provides a simple and powerful approach which can be used to image Hg2+-induced oxidative stress in the pathological environment.