Rational Design of an α-Ketoamide-Based Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe Specific for Hydrogen Peroxide in Living Systems.

Hydrogen peroxide, an important biomolecule, receives earnest attention because of its physiological and pathological functions. In this Article, we present the rational design, characterization, and biological application of a mitochondria-targetable NIR fluorescent sensor, Mito-NIRHP, for hydrogen peroxide visualization. Mito-NIRHP utilizes a unique reaction switch, α-ketoamide moiety, to turn on a highly specific, sensitive, and rapid fluorescence response toward hydrogen peroxide coupled with the intramolecular charge transfer strategy. Mito-NIRHP is competent to track endogenously produced hydrogen peroxide in both living cells and living animals. In addition, utilizing Mito-NIRHP, overgeneration of hydrogen peroxide during ischemia-reperfusion injury was directly visualized at both cell and organ levels.