Nanoparticle‐Decorated Biomimetic Extracellular Matrix for Cell Nanoencapsulation and Regulation

Abstract

Cell encapsulation has been studied for various applications ranging from cell transplantation to biological production. However, current encapsulation technologies focus on cell protection rather than cell regulation that is essential to most if not all cell-based applications. Here we report a method for cell nanoencapsulation and regulation using an ultrathin biomimetic extracellular matrix as a cell nanocapsule to carry nanoparticles (CN 2 ). This method allows high-capacity nanoparticle retention at the vicinity of cell surfaces. The encapsulated cells maintain high viability and normal metabolism. When gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used as a model to decorate the nanocapsule, light irradiation transiently increases the temperature, leading to the activation of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) promoter and the regulation of reporter gene expression. As the biomimetic nanocapsule can be decorated with any or multiple NPs, CN 2 is a promising platform for advancing cell-based applications.Cells are "living factories" that can actively release biomolecules. [1,2] For example, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can release a multitude of immunomodulatory factors in response to inflammatory mediators. [3] Beta cells in the islets can release insulin in response to glucose. [4] Thus, live cells have been widely used as intelligent tools for both in vivo and ex vivo applications. [5] However, cells are