Abstract

Sensing and monitoring of pH changes in live cells are of great importance for understanding of cellular signaling responses. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive and selective pH sensor, rhodamine-based fluorescence dye 1. The fluorescent emission of 1 at 588 nm increased with the pH decreasing (from pH 7.0–4.0) due to the ring-opening of spirolactam by H+. 1 exhibited good water solubility, high quantum yield, and fast response to pH changes. Moreover, 1 can stain lysosomes in living cells with high photostability and low cytotoxicity. Importantly, 1 was used for monitoring pH changes in lysosomes induced by chloroquine, artesunate and dexamethasone. Therefore, our work provides the potential of probe 1 for visualizing the intracellular changes of pH in clinical and medical applications.

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