In Vivo Imaging of Endogenously Produced HClO in Zebrafish and Mice Using a Bright, Photostable Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

A high brightness red fluorescent probe (S-BODIPY) has been developed for the sensitive and specific imaging of HClO/ClO– in vitro and in vivo. This probe exhibits some distinctive features such as excellent resistance to photobleaching, a high fluorescence brightness, high selectivity, as well as a good biocompatibility. Upon oxidation of the thio-ether group into sulfoxide, the probe showed a noticeable ratiometric fluorescence response toward ClO– with fast response (within 30 s) and a low detection limit (59 nM). The probe demonstrated the successful imaging of exogenous and endogenous HClO/ClO– in living HeLa cells, zebrafish, and mice with high signal-to-noise ratios. S-BODIPY allows for the real-time monitoring the level of ClO– in living cells by ratiometric fluorescence imaging, opening up exciting prospects to develop red and even near-infrared BODIPYs with high brightness and good photostability for in vivo imaging.