A biocompatible strategy for the construction of cell patch using upconversion nanoparticles-conjugated mesenchymal stem cells

Here, we report a new method to conjugate nanoparticles with live cells with high efficiency and biocompatibility. Distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)-PEG polymers was first gifted with cyclodextrin and then anchored on the surface of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Then azobenzene derivative (Azo)-modified upconversion nanoparticles were conjugated to cells to construct live cells-based nanoparticle delivery system by host-guest interactions between cyclodextrin and Azo. Owing to free of chemical reactions of the DSPE-anchoring and host-guest interactions process, the conjugating strategy is very biocompatible. In vitro study illustrated that the differentiation potential of stem cells was not affected after anchoring nanoparticles indicating a biocompatible conjugating method for the construction of cell patch.