Bioactive Artificial Cells as Autonomous Metabolic Actuators Enable Bidirectional Communication with Tumor Cells.

ABSTRACT: Artificial cells (ACs) offer a powerful platform to reprogram metabolic signaling in complex tissue environments by replicating key biological functions without the full complexity of living cells. However, achieving autonomous metabolite exchange and stable integration with living tissues remains a major challenge. Here, we report the development of proteinosome-based ACs equipped with a minimal metabolism to mediate bidirectional communication with glycolytic tumor cells. These tumors accumulate lactate, a metabolic byproduct that promotes immunosuppression and metastasis. Although lactate oxidase (LOx) can degrade lactate, its oxidation product, pyruvate, may inadvertently fuel tumor growth. To overcome this limitation, we engineered dual-processor ACs coencapsulating LOx and pyruvate d

SUBMITTER: Hu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12752458 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature