A fast responsive and cell membrane-targetable near-infrared H2S fluorescent probe for drug resistance bioassays in chemotherapy

Abstract

A cell membrane-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe, CMCu–H₂S, was fabricated through employing hydrophobic chains and cyclen-Cu²⁺ as targeting and recognition groups, respectively. NIR fluorescence of CMCu–H₂S can significantly increase after reacting with H₂S by removing the quenchable Cu²⁺. This probe exhibited high selectivity and an extremely fast response rate. Cell imaging results demonstrated that there was a close relationship between the overexpression of NFS1 and drug resistance and inhibition of NFS1 was beneficial for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy.