Recent advances in fluorescent probes for peroxynitrite detection

Peroxynitrite (ONOO − ), known as a kind of reactive nitrogen species, is a significant factor involved in a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. However, their biological functions remain to be controversial or poorly characterized yet, mainly because of the lack of reliable methods for sensitive and specific detection of ONOO − in vitro and in vivo. Thus, approaches that enable noninvasive visualized imaging of ONOO − will be of enormous benefit in understanding the processes of related diseases and developing novel drugs. During the last decades, fluorescent probes, with high sensitivity and real-time spatial imaging capacity, receive more and more attention. Herein, we strive to summarize the current fluorescent probes for ONOO − , including small-molecular fluorescent probes, nanoparticles-based fluorescent probes, and genetically encoded fluorescent probes. Furthermore, the challenges and attempt to give an outlook on the possible further developments are discussed.