Treatment by serum up-conversion nanoparticles in the fluoride matrix changes the mechanism of cell death and the elasticity of the membrane.

•Up-conversion nanoparticles caused neutrophils died by necrosis and mummification.•Protein coating up-conversion nanoparticles reduce their toxicity.•Neutrophils died by necrosis significantly decrease of membrane rigidity.•Neutrophils died by mummification significantly increase of membrane rigidity.