Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles: research advances

Cell membranes have been continuously imitated and used for the modification of nanoparticles (NPs) to improve NP biological properties. Cell membrane-coated NPs, where core NPs are wrapped with plasma membrane vesicles, show high biocompatibility, targeting specificity and low side effects. Compared with conventional strategies, this novel approach directly leverages intact and natural functions of cell membranes, instead of replicating these features via synthetic techniques. This top-down technique bestows NPs with enhanced biointerfacing capabilities with potential in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infection and other diseases. Herein, we report on the advances in cell membrane-coated NPs, including the preparation process, source cell membranes for wrapping and potential applications of these cell membrane-coated NPs.