Dual-Parameter Recognition-Directed Design of the Activatable Fluorescence Probe for Precise Imaging of Cellular Senescence

Anal Chem. 2023 Feb 28;95(8):3996-4004. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04223. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Abstract

Specific imaging of cellular senescence emerges as a promising strategy for early diagnosis and treatment of various age-related diseases. The currently available imaging probes are routinely designed by targeting a single senescence-related marker. However, the inherently high heterogeneity of senescence makes them inaccessible to achieve specific and accurate detection of broad-spectrum cellular senescence. Here, we report the design of a dual-parameter recognition fluorescent probe for precise imaging of cellular senescence. This probe remains silent in non-senescent cells, yet produces bright fluorescence after sequential responses to two senescence-associated markers, namely, SA-β-gal and MAO-A. In-depth studies reveal that this probe allows for high-contrast imaging of senescence, independent of the cell source or stress type. More impressively, such dual-parameter recognition design further allows it to distinguish senescence-associated SA-β-gal/MAO-A from cancer-related β-gal/MAO-A, compared to commercial or previous single-marker detection probes. This study offers a valuable molecular tool for imaging cellular senescence, which is expected to significantly expand the basic studies on senescence and facilitate advances of senescence-related disease theranostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cellular Senescence*
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • Monoamine Oxidase