Sequential Detection of Superoxide Anion and Hydrogen Polysulfides under Hypoxic Stress via a Spectral-Response-Separated Fluorescent Probe Functioned with a Nitrobenzene Derivative

Chronic hypoxic stress disrupts the intracellular redox homeostasis, leads to a series of physiological dysfunction, and finally results in many diseases including cancer and inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. The intracellular redox status is related to the homeostasis between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular antioxidant species. Superoxide anion (O2•–) is considered to be a precursor of ROS. As a member of reactive sulfur species, hydrogen polysulfides (H2Sn) are a class of antioxidants in cells, which act as an important regulator for the intracellular redox state. Therefore, trapping the cross-talk of O2•– and H2Sn is a benefit for further understanding the physiological and pathological effects. Herein, we conceive a fluorescent probe HCy-ONO for sequential detection of O2•– and H2Sn in cells and in mouse models. Based on a tandem reaction, the probe HCy-ONO can be used to detect O2•– and H2Sn in different fluorescence collection windows without spectral overlap interference with lim...