Assessing Atherosclerosis\nby Super-Resolution Imaging\nof HClO in Foam Cells Using a Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading cause of cardiovascular\ndisease.\nFoam cells, with elevated lipid droplets (LDs) and HClO levels, are\nthe main components of the atherosclerotic plaques that are characteristic\nof AS. Super-resolution imaging can be used to visualize the distribution\nof LDs in foam cells at the nanometer level, facilitating the identification\nof LDs and HClO. In the present study, we report the development of\na ratiometric fluorescent probe, <b>SFL-HClO</b>, for super-resolution\nimaging of LDs and HClO. Super-resolution imaging with this probe\nrevealed the precise structure of LDs at the suborganelle level. Moreover,\nthe fluorescence behavior of <b>SFL-HClO</b> on the surface\nof LDs verified its excellent performance in detecting HClO in the\nfoam cells. <b>SFL-HClO</b> can sequentially and specifically\nrespond to LDs and HClO <i>via</i> “turn-on”\nand ratiometric signal output, respectively, thus contributing to\nprecise imaging of foam cells. Importantly, we demonstrate that <b>SFL-HClO</b> can be used to report on upregulated HClO in atherosclerotic\nplaques in the aorta of AS mice, providing a suitable fluorescent\ntool for early atherosclerotic disease assessment.