HepG2-derived Cell Membrane Vesicle Camouflaged Artificial Cells

The integration of artificial and mammalian cells into semi-synthetic aggregates remains a challenge in bottom-up synthetic biology. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of cell membrane vesicles (CMV) from HepG2 cells and their use as coating for alginate microgels to produce camouflaged artificial cells (ACs). These ACs are used for the assembly of either synthetic aggregates or semi-synthetic aggregates. On the one hand, a predator-defendant and a liver-like synthetic aggregates are investigated, showing promising initial steps towards complex synthetic aggregates. On the other hand, the camouflaged ACs show enhanced integration with HepG2 cells. The encapsulation of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger artificial enzyme in the ACs shows protection against tert-butyl hydroperoxide in terms of HepG2 cell viability, proliferation, and mitochondrial health in semisynthetic aggregates. Taken together, this effort is a step forward in combining both mammalian cells and ACs in the same aggregate where the latter act as support unit.