Mitochondrial targeted fluorescent probe with AIE characteristics for bioimaging

- The fluorescent probe exhibited AIE characteristics.
- The fluorescent probe could specifically localize in mitochondrial.
- The fluorescent probe could be used as optical imaging probe for in vivo imaging.

In this work, a new benzothiazole based mitochondrial tracker, Bth-Mito, is synthesized by with 2-benzothiazoleacetonitrile and 4-(diethylamino)-benzaldehyde. Bth-Mito is weakly fluorescent when dissolved in the good solvent but becomes highly emissive in poor solvents, showing a phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission. Bth-Mito shows the greatest potentials for bioimaging applications in view of low cytotoxicity and high photostability. Bth-Mito could penetrate cells to give stable green fluorescence, even after continuous irradiation, making it suitable candidate for time-lapse and long-term bioimaging application. Moreover, Bth-Mito could specifically localize in mitochondrial. Furthermore, in vivo imaging studies on nude mice have revealed that Bth-Mito could be used as optical imaging probe for in vivo imaging. Histological assessment of tissues treated with Bth-Mito also further confirmed the low toxicity and good biocompatibility of Bth-Mito.