Peptide Coacervates with Metal–Phenolic Membranes Modulate Glucose Metabolism and Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Glucose consumption by tumors induces metabolic restriction of T cells, which results in immune evasion and tumor progression. Regulating cellular metabolism represents a promising strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy; however, redirecting glucose utilization from tumor cells to T cells is challenging. Herein, the activation of cytotoxic T cells using engineered peptide coacervates (PCs) containing interferon alpha (IFNα) and membranized with metal–phenolic networks (MPNs) (PC-IFNα@MPNs), which promote glucose uptake and glycolysis, is reported. PC-IFNα@MPNs modulate the molecular conformation of the co-stimulatory lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 on CD8+ T cells, while suppressi..