Simultaneously monitoring ATP and neutrophil elastase to assess inflammation progression

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays a crucial role in recruiting neutrophils, which then release neutrophil elastase (NE) to address inflammatory stimuli. However, there has been no prior report on the simultaneous measurement of ATP and NE levels under inflammatory conditions. Herein, we have developed a dual-color molecular fluorescent probe, termed AN, that allows for the simultaneous detection of ATP and NE, providing insights into their interactions during inflammation. AN demonstrates excellent sensitivity and minimal spectral crosstalk, with distinct detection channels for ATP (λ ex = 540 nm, λ em = 583 nm) and NE (λ ex = 450 nm, λ em = 531 nm). It shows high selectivity in sensing ATP and NE within cell cultures, even amidst complex biological environments. Notably, AN effectively distinguishes the progression of inflammatory conditions in vivo . Our findings reveal a direct correlation between ATP and NE levels in inflamed tissues and offer valuable insights for monitoring inflammation and guiding clinical interventions.