5-hydroxymethylfurfural- and fluorescein-fused fluorescence probe of mast cells (RBL-2H3): Synthesis, photophysical properties, and bioimaging.

A fluorescent probe (Fluo-HMF) was developed via introduction of a furfural moiety into the fluorescein molecular skeleton, aiming at specially labeling cell membrane of mast cells. To illustrate its specificity, we designed and synthesized a series of fluorescent compounds based on fluorescein molecular skeleton. The fluorescent properties of Fluo-HMF were investigated, which were in accordance with theoretical calculations. Compared with other fluorescein derivatives, Fluo-HMF could specially label RBL-2H3 cells. The results suggested that Fluo-HMF could be used as a fluorescent probe for bioimaging on some related research of allergic mechanism.