Development of an effective H2S-activatable fluorescent probe for imaging drug-induced living cells.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gaseous signaling molecule that plays multiple physiological regulatory roles in both physiological and pathological processes. A novel fluorescent probe, T1, was designed and synthesized for detecting H2S in biological systems. Based on the ICT mechanism, thiolysis of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether group, used as the fluorescence quenching group, occurred after the addition of H2S, releasing the original fluorescent group, and was accompanied by the recovery of the fluorescence signal (emission peak at 615 nm) with a detection limit of 0.42 μM. Probe T1 displayed low cytotoxicity and excellent ability to recognize exogenous and endogenous H2S in living cells. It could recognize H2S produced by LPS-induced cell inflammation, monitor the release of H2S by the H2S prodrug ADT-OH in cells, and serve as an anti-counterfeiting dye for printing technology, confirming the reliability of the probe. Therefore, probe T1 can be used as a fast and effective tool for detecting H2S in vitro and in vivo.