Precision imaging of superoxide anion radicals in vivo using a bicyclic dioxetane chemiluminescent nanoprobe

Abstract

Accurate detection of disease-related reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion radicals (O₂˙⁻), is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammation or cancer. Herein, we report the development of a novel chemiluminescent nanoprobe, C10-SPN, based on chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET) for highly sensitive and specific detection of O₂˙⁻ in vitro and in vivo. The obtained nanoprobe exhibited efficient energy transfer, a red-shifted emission peak at 680 nm, and an extended chemiluminescence half-life of up to 7 min. C10-SPN demonstrated excellent selectivity toward O₂˙⁻ over other biologically relevant species, low cytotoxicity, and strong biocompatibility. In vivo imaging in mouse models of peritonitis and breast cancer confirmed the capability of C10-SPN to visualize O₂˙⁻ levels with high contrast, enabling discrimination between normal and diseased tissues. This study highlights C10-SPN as a promising tool for O₂˙⁻-responsive imaging and early disease diagnosis.