Selective photodynamic eradication of senescent cells with a β-galactosidase-activated photosensitiser

A β-galactosidase-responsive photosensitiser has been designed and synthesised. It contains a galactosyl substrate, a boron dipyrromethene-based photosensitising unit and a black hole quencher 2 connected via an AB2-type self-immolative linker. This novel photosensitiser can be selectively activated by the senescence-associated β-galactosidase in senescent cells, leading to restoration in fluorescence emission and effective killing of the cells via photodynamic action.