Development and Application\nof a BODIPY Carbazole\nDerivative Probe for Lysosomal Imaging: Insights into Lysosomal Dynamics\nand Dysfunction in Inflammation-Related Diseases

Inflammation is crucial in neurodegenerative and chronic\ndiseases,\nincluding Alzheimer disease (AD) and liver fibrosis. To gain a deeper\nunderstanding of lysosomal functions in cellular physiology and disease\nmechanisms, we developed a carbazole-based BODIPY lysosomal probe,\ndesignated LysoI. This probe specifically targets lysosomes within\n15 min and exhibits a Stokes shift of approximately 180 nm, enabling\ncontinuous incubation for up to 5 h without the need for washing steps.\nInterestingly, LysoI remained effective for long-term imaging, even\nup to 24 h poststaining. Despite varying pH values and conditions,\nsuch as autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammation, it consistently provides\nexcellent lysosomal imaging. Notably, inflammation disrupts lysosomal\nmorphology and motility, as evidenced by an increased size, a decrease\nin number, and a reduction in movement speed, as observed with LysoI.\nFurthermore, lysosomal rupture and impaired clearance may exacerbate\ninflammation and contribute to cellular apoptosis. These findings\nsuggest that lysosomal dysfunction is closely associated with disease\nprogression; therefore, protection and repair targeting lysosomes\nmay offer promising strategies for treating inflammation-related diseases.