Aggregation-induced DNA fluorescence for the label-free detection of programmed necrosis

Strong red autofluorescence commonly appears in biomedical specimens. They are background interference to immunofluorescence labeling. Typical sources of endogenous red fluorophores are porphyrins, bilirubin dimers, or biliverdins. Here, we validated that aggregated DNA (agDNA) is another major source of red autofluorescence. It appears in the process of cell death. This in situ fluorescence could serve as label-free biomarkers for the detection of programmed necrosis under drug treatment.