Cell membrane cloaking technique has emerged as an intriguing strategy in nanomaterial functionalization. By coating synthetic nanostructures with natural cell membranes, it bestows the nanostructures with unique cell surface antigens and functions. Previous efforts have been primarily focused on the development of cell membrane-coated spherical nanoparticles and their uses thereof. Herein, we attempt to extend the cell membrane cloaking technique to nanofibers, a class of functional nanomaterials that are drastically different from nanoparticles in terms of dimensional and mechanophysical characteristics. Using pancreatic beta cell as a model cell line, we demonstrate successful preparation of cell membrane-coated nanofibers and validate that the modified nanofibers possess an antigenic exterior closely resembling that of the source beta cells. When such nanofiber scaffolds are used to culture beta cells, both cell proliferation rate and function are significantly enhanced. Specifically, the glucose-dependent insulin secretion from the cells are increased by near five-fold as compared to the same beta cells cultured in regular, unmodified nanofiber scaffolds. Overall, coating cell membranes onto nanofibers would add another dimension of flexibility and controllability in harnessing cell membrane functions and would open new opportunities for innovative applications.

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A NIR light induced H2S release platform based on UCNPs was constructed. Under NIR light excitation, UCNPs can emit UV light which triggers H2S release in a spatial and temporal pattern. The platform was also employed to real-time monitor the delivery process in vivo, which may provide a new way for the use of H2S-based therapeutics for a variety of diseases.

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