A dual-response near-infrared probe for the simultaneous detection of viscosity and pH in nephritis identification

Abstract

Nephritis serves as a critical contributor to the initiation and progression of various renal diseases. So, in this study, we have designed a dual-responsive near-infrared fluorescent probe, TD, capable of sensitively detecting both viscosity and pH changes for the identification of nephritis. The probe TD was synthesized via condensation of 6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-xanthene-4-carbaldehyde with a quinolinium salt. TD exhibits responsive behaviour toward viscosity and pH, acid–base reversibility, high selectivity, excellent photostability, and good biocompatibility. Under pharmacological stimulation, TD successfully monitored dynamic changes in viscosity and pH within HeLa cells. Furthermore, TD effectively distinguished between healthy and diseased renal tissues. These findings highlight the significant potential of TD for application in nephritis identification.