Cellular communication between artificial and natural cells are explored by fabricating hydrogel based artificial cells (ACs) that can eavesdrop on liver cells with regards to their cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity. ACs are capable of eavesdropping on HepG2 cells by releasing D-cysteine and the D-cysteine release from ACs is quantified by colorimetric and luminometric detection. The CYP450 activity of HepG2 cells is evaluated by the production of 2-cyano-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (CHB), which react with D-cysteine to produce D-luciferin. Thereby, the capability of ACs to eavesdrop on HepG2 cells is measured by detecting D-luciferin in the presence of luciferase. The eavesdropping experiment is performed in different experimental set ups, but is centered around the production of D-luciferin due to the production of CHB by HepG2 cells and D-cysteine release from ACs. In addition, bright field microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to visualize the ACs and aggregates of ACs and HepG2 cells. 

Our findings thereby present means of designing communication between AC and mammalian cells. Further, the ACs provides an easily implemented approach to monitor a core hepatic function when co-cultured with hepatocytes.

The data is arranged according to the figures presented in the article.