Accurate Detection of Hcy in Human Serum and Two-Photon Visualization of Atherosclerosis Using a Highly Specific Fluorescent Probe

Abstract

As an important metabolic intermediate of sulfur-containing amino acids in human body, homocysteine (Hcy) is regarded as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the fluctuation of Hcy level is of great importance for the early diagnosis as well as the treatment of atherosclerosis. Herein, a new two-photon (TP) fluorescent probe (RH-2) was developed via a hydrogen bond-assisted strategy, which had a high specificity for detecting Hcy over cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) in solution, cells, and tissue. Probe RH-2 was applied to the quantitative determination of Hcy in human serum successfully. Moreover, the two-photon fluorescence (TPF) imaging of abnormal expression of Hcy in aortic vessels and liver of atherosclerotic model mice were fulfilled by RH-2. Therefore, probe RH-2 can be served as a potential tool to understand the function of Hcy in atherosclerosis, supplying a clinical promise for the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis (AS).

A lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe based on a BODIPY structure for Cys/Hcy detection

“…13–15 Abnormal accumulation of Hcy in the body can lead to various health threatening diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer. 16 Therefore, it is particularly important to explore a sensitive, fast and highly selective method to monitor Cys and Hcy in biological systems. 17–21…”

Investigating Oxidative Stress Associated with Myocardial Fibrosis by High-Fidelity Visualization and Accurate Evaluation of Mitochondrial GSH Levels

“…Recently, there has been remarkable advancement in the development of reversible fluorescent probes for GSH. − However, there is still a lack of a fluorescent probe that fulfills the four aforementioned conditions, which are necessary for the accurate assessment of mGSH fluctuations (Table S1). Herein, based on our group’s experience in the development of fluorescent probes for biothiols, − we designed and synthesized four ratiometric fluorescent probes capable of reversibly responding to mGSH. By determining the value of the equilibrium dissociation constant and evaluating its capability to anchor to mitochondria, the leading fluorescent probe, named Mito-NS6 , was rationally selected.…”

Sensitively detecting endogenous homocysteine in human serum and cardiomyocytes with a specific fluorescent probe

“…1,2 As a small-molecule biothiol, homocysteine (Hcy) has a normal level in human plasma in the range of 5-15 μM. [3][4][5] Its abnormal level usually causes a variety of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), [6][7][8] and cancer. [9][10][11][12] Currently, Hcy has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.…”