A plant-derived natural photosynthetic system for improving cell anabolism

Abstract

Insufficient intracellular anabolism is a crucial factor involved in many pathological processes in the body1,2. The anabolism of intracellular substances requires the consumption of sufficient intracellular energy and the production of reducing equivalents. ATP acts as an ‘energy currency’ for biological processes in cells3,4, and the reduced form of NADPH is a key electron donor that provides reducing power for anabolism5. Under pathological conditions, it is difficult to correct impaired anabolism and to increase insufficient levels of ATP and NADPH to optimum concentrations1,4,6–8. Here we develop an independent and controllable nanosized plant-derived photosynthetic system based on nanothylakoid units (NTUs). To enable cross-species applications, we use a specific mature cell membrane (the chondrocyte membrane (CM)) for camouflage encapsulation. As proof of concept, we demonstrate that these CM-NTUs enter chondrocytes through membrane fusion, avoid lysosome degradation and achieve rapid penetration. Moreover, the CM-NTUs increase intracellular ATP and NADPH levels in situ following exposure to light and improve anabolism in degenerated chondrocytes. They can also systemically correct energy imbalance and restore cellular metabolism to improve cartilage homeostasis and protect against pathological progression of osteoarthritis. Our therapeutic strategy for degenerative diseases is based on a natural photosynthetic system that can controllably enhance cell anabolism by independently providing key energy and metabolic carriers. This study also provides an enhanced understanding of the preparation and application of bioorganisms and composite biomaterials for the treatment of disease.

Redox-responsive peptide-based complex coacervates as delivery vehicles with controlled release of proteinous drugs

“…26 For example, small phosphate molecules, like ATP and NADPH, are key metabolites in living systems, which perform fundamental functions such as biochemical energy factories for cells. 32 We wondered if the metabolism in condensates could control protein cargo trafficking and how this could have a potential role in biomimetic droplets. To achieve this, we developed a new model coacervate system concentrated with redox-active metabolite NADPH, which formed more stable complex coacervates as compared to ATP/peptides coacervates (Supplementary Fig.…”

Dose-Dependent Effects in Plasma Oncotherapy: Critical In Vivo Immune Responses Missed by In Vitro Studies

“…The proteins in the WB samples were separated by gel electrophoresis (80 V for 30 min followed by 120 V for 1 h) and transferred to a PVDF membrane (100 V for 40 min). The proteins were incubated with a PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (Cat# 66248–1-Ig, ProteinTec Chicago, IL, USA) [ 23 ] or β-actin polyclonal antibody (Cat# 20536-1-AP, ProteinTech Chicago, IL, USA) [ 24 ] and secondary antibody (Cat# SA00001-1, ProteinTech Chicago, IL, USA) [ 25 ], and the expressions of the mouse PD-L1 and actin were analyzed using a ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA).…”

Biomimetic photosynthetic system: Shedding light on the restoration of cell metabolism

“…Chen et al, 1 in a paper published in Nature , leveraged the capacity of nanoparticulate thylakoids to restore cell metabolism after exposure to light. Specific mature cell membrane camouflaging facilitated the internalization of nanothylakoids through homologous targeting and membrane fusion (Figure 1A).…”