Fe-MOFs-based fluorescent and colorimetric dual-readout nanoprobe for sensitive detection of α-lipomycin

Abstract

Salt-sensitive hypertension represents a significant global health burden, yet its underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent evidence indicates that the microbial metabolite α-lipomycin contributes to vascular dysfunction by selectively suppressing endothelial TRPV4 channels, thereby impairing vasodilation and promoting the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Consequently, the highly sensitive and selective detection of α-lipomycin is of critical importance for early risk assessment and intervention. Herein, Fe-MOFs nanorods were prepared using TCPP as organic ligands and Fe(III) as metal centers via solvothermal method for α-lipomycin detection. Specific host-guest effects between α-lipomycin and Fe(III) centers in Fe-MOFs, and selectively disrupt the ligand-to-metal charge transfer within Fe-MOFs, triggering simultaneous fluorescence emission at 645 nm and brown chromogenic appearance. Consequently, Fe-MOFs nanorods serve as a fluorescent and colorimetric nanoprobe for dual-mode detection of α-lipomycin. The sensor demonstrated a broad linear response range of 0.05-10 µM and ultralow detection limits of 23.83 nM (fluorescence) and 409.80 nM (colorimetry), respectively. Furthermore, the dual-signal response of the Fe-MOFs nanoprobe toward α-lipomycin further confers exceptional selectivity against interferents and high repeatability (RSD < 5.64%). Notably, practical validation in tap water shows acceptable recoveries from 93.47 to109.35% recovery rates. Importantly, clinical serum analyses demonstrate a elevated α-lipomycin level in hypertensive patients, validating strong practicability of Fe-MOFs nanoprobe for early pathogenesis detection and therapeutic monitoring. These findings highlight the Fe-MOFs nanoprobe as a dual-mode optical platform for selective and reliable α-lipomycin detection. Its field-deployable design overcomes the clinical limitations in utility of conventional methods like mass spectrometry. It also offers a transformative approach for applications in pathogenesis research, typing, early warning, and prevention of salt-sensitive hypertension.