Development of a selective-iodide indicator for live-cell imaging and evaluation of CFTR activity

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) arises from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Monitoring I⁻ transport serves as a critical approach for evaluating CFTR function in live cells, providing a foundation for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic treatments. Here, we report an iridium(III) complex (I-Sense) for the selective and pH-independent imaging of intracellular I⁻. By tracking cellular iodide I⁻ uptake, I-Sense facilitates the evaluation of CFTR activity in live cells, providing a valuable tool for the functional characterization of CFTR activity.