Precise diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and acute kidney injury through near-infrared imaging utilizing a fluorescence probe for monitoring α-l-fucosidase

Herein, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and acute kidney injury (AKI) were accomplished using α - l -fucosidase (AFU)-responsive fluorescent probe, HD-AFU , which incorporates the canonical AFU recognition moiety and a structurally optimized hemicyanine-thioxanthene signaling unit. In comparison with recently reported probes, HD-AFU demonstrated robust and reliable performance in monitoring AFU activity across HCC and AKI models. This probe enabled mitochondrial-targeted intracellular imaging to track AFU dynamics during progression and therapeutic intervention. In the orthotopic transplanted tumor mouse model, HD-AFU exhibited consistent capabilities for visualizing HCC status. To validate the accuracy of the probe in detecting AFU in AKI, we established four AKI models, including cisplatin-induced, gentamicin-induced, hyperuricemic nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy models. The accurate establishment of these four models holds significant importance for subsequent fluorescence imaging studies. Additionally, we employed losartan and metformin to treat hyperuricemic nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy, respectively, and utilized the probe to achieve the screening and validation of therapeutic drugs. Furthermore, in a long-term induced HCC and AKI model validated by serum indices and histopathological assessment, HD-AFU successfully visualized the diagnostic and therapy process. These presented herein offer valuable insights for the development of effective diagnostic strategies.