Artificial light-harvesting systems in aqueous media which mimic nature are of significant importance; however, they are often restrained by the solubility and the undesired aggregation-caused quenching effect of the hydrophobic chromophores. Here, we report a generalized strategy toward the construction of efficient artificial light-harvesting systems based on supramolecular peptide nanotubes in water. By molecularly aligning the hydrophobic chromophores along the nanotubes in a slipped manner, an artificial light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential Förster resonance energy transfer process is successfully fabricated, showing an energy transfer efficiency up to 95% and a remarkably high fluorescence quantum yield of 30%, along with high stability. Furthermore, the spectral emission could be continuously tuned from blue through green to orange, as well as outputted as a white light continuum with a fluorescence quantum yield of 29.9%. Our findings provide a versatile approach of designing efficient artificial light-harvesting systems and constructing highly emissive organic materials in aqueous media.

Photoacoustic imaging combines the merits of ultrasound imaging and optical imaging, and allows a fascinating imaging paradigm with deeper tissue penetration than optical imaging and higher spatial resolution than ultrasound imaging. Herein, we develop a supramolecular hybrid material composed of graphene oxide (GO) and a pillar[6]arene-based host–guest complex (CP6⊃PyN), which can be used as an ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic (PA) signal nanoamplifier. Triggered by the near-infrared (NIR) light mediated photothermal effect, CO₂ nanobubbles are generated on the surface of GO@CP6⊃PyN due to the decomposition of the bicarbonate counterions, thus strongly amplifying its US and PA performances. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates enhanced US and PA activity in a supramolecular hybrid material on the basis of host–guest chemistry as a photoacoustic nanoplatform.

Cancer immunotherapy has achieved tremendous successful clinical results and obtained historic victories in tumor treatments. However, great limitations associated with feeble immune responses and serious adverse effects still cannot be neglected due to the complicated multifactorial etiology and pathologic microenvironment in tumors. The rapid development of nanomedical science and material science has facilitated the advanced progress of engineering biomaterials to tackle critical issues. The supramolecular biomaterials with flexible and modular structures have exhibited unparalleled advantages of high cargo-loading efficiency, excellent biocompatibility, and diversiform immunomodulatory activity, thereby providing a powerful weapon for cancer immunotherapy. In past decades, supramolecular biomaterials were extensively explored as versatile delivery platforms for immunotherapeutic agents or designed to interact with the key moleculars in immune system in a precise and controllable manner. In this review, we focused on the crucial role of supramolecular biomaterials in the modulation of pivotal steps during tumor immunotherapy, including antigen delivery and presentation, T lymphocyte activation, tumor-associated macrophage elimination and repolarization, and myeloid-derived suppressor cell depletion. Based on extensive research, we explored the current limitations and development prospects of supramolecular biomaterials in cancer immunotherapy.

A novel 2,2′-bipyridine-bridged pillar[5]arene dimer was successfully synthesized and further applied for constructing linear supramolecular polymers through pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interactions. Specifically, upon addition of Zn²⁺ ions, the linear supramolecular polymer could be cross-linked through metal–ligand interactions, resulting in the formation of a novel supramolecular polymer network gel.