Image-based superoxide profiling of AI infection discriminates subtypes

Fluorescence imaging probes have merits to visualize cellular signaling, protein translocation, and metabolite changes real-time in a live cell. Our group developed a sulfinate functionalized fluorescein molecule (SoDA-1) for superoxide radical sensing. This scaffold has the cLogP value less than 4 and exhibits highly selective fluorescent turn-on against superoxide radical among series of reactive oxygen species. We applied this molecule for avian influenza virus infection model. Traditionally, AI infection was studied in embryonated egg model which is pricey and difficult to handle. As an alternative to embryonated egg model, cell lines has many merits, such as easy handling and high-cost efficiency. We checked 23 cell line's AI infection efficiency for three AI subtypes. Interestingly, each cell showed distinct infection pattern for the different virus. We envisioned this unique fingerprint of infection pattern, and AI infection pattern was measured in fluorescence imaging of SoDA-1.