A BODIPY‐Based Probe for the Selective Detection of Hypochlorous Acid in Living Cells

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for a wide range of biological and pathological events. [1] During infection and inflammation, the phagocytic leukocytes, including neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill invading bacteria and pathogens. [2] Among ROS, hypochlorous acid (HOCl/OCl )i s a highly reactive oxygen species produced from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chloride ions (Cl ) by the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is secreted by activated neutrophils. [3] Although hypochlorous acid plays important roles in the human immune-defense system, overproduction of ROS in living organism has detrimental effects on biological molecules, including nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins, resulting in the inhibition of various protein functions, and contributes to the progression of numerous human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. [4] Despite its importance in human health and disease, not as much is known about the mechanism of action and specific roles of HOCl in living systems in comparison with other ROS, owing to slower progress in the development of suitable probes. Several fluorescence probes for the detection and visualization of HOCl in living cells have recently been developed on the basis of the strong oxidizing properties of HOCl. [5–7] HOCl-induced oxidation reactions were employed in the design of fluorescent probes in which the fluorescence properties were regulated by the conversion of the spirocyclic form of rhodamine fluorophores into their ringopened form, [5] or through photoinduced-electron-transfer processes. [6] To facilitate practical applications of such probes, next-generation designs should emphasize higher analyte selectivity, limit susceptibility to autooxidation, and avoid demanding multistep syntheses. Herein, we report the facile synthesis and properties of a new boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye bearing a methylthioether group, and its biological application as a highly sensitive and selective