Visulization of peroxynitrite variation for accurate diagnosis and assessing treatment response of hepatic fibrosis using a Golgi-targetable ratiometric fluorescent probe

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is caused by persistent inflammation, which is closely associated with hepatic oxidative stress. Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is significantly elevated in HF, which would be regarded as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of HF. Research has shown that ONOO− in the Golgi apparatus can be overproduced in HF, and it can induce hepatocyte injury by triggering Golgi oxidative stress. Meanwhile, the ONOO− inhibitors could effectively relieve HF by inhibiting Golgi ONOO−, but as yet, no Golgi-targetable fluorescent probe available for diagnosis and assessing treatment response of HF through sensing Golgi ONOO−. To this end, we reported a ratiometric fluorescent probe, Golgi-PER, for diagnosis and assessing treatment response of HF through monitoring the Golgi ONOO−. Golgi-PER displayed satisfactory sensitivity, low detection limit, and exceptional selectivity to ONOO−. Combined with excellent biocompatibility and good Golgi-targeting ability, Golgi-PER was further used for ratiometric monitoring the Golgi ONOO− fluctuations and screening of ONOO− inhibitors from polyphenols in living cells. Meanwhile, using Golgi-PER as a probe, the overexpression of Golgi ONOO− in HF and the treatment response of HF to the screened rosmarinic acid were precisely visualized for the first time. Furthermore, the screened RosA has a remarkable therapeutic effect on HF, which may be a new strategy for HF treatment. These results demonstrated the practicability of Golgi-PER for monitoring the occurrence, development, and personalized treatment response of HF. In this work, we reported a ratiometric fluorescent probe, Golgi-PER, for diagnosis and assessing treatment response of hepatic fibrosis (HF) through monitoring the Golgi ONOO−. Golgi-PER displayed satisfactory sensitivity, low detection limit, and exceptional selectivity to ONOO−. Combined with excellent biocompatibility and good Golgi-targeting ability, Golgi-PER was used for ratiometric monitoring the Golgi ONOO− fluctuations and screening of ONOO− inhibitors from polyphenols in living cells. Furthermore, using Golgi-PER as a probe, the overexpression of Golgi ONOO− in HF and the treatment response of HF to the screened rosmarinic acid were precisely visualized for the first time, indicated that this probe can serve as an effectively useful tool for exploring the occurrence, development, and treatment of HF. [Display omitted] •A Golgi-targetable probe for ratiometric detection of ONOO− was developed.•Ratiom