title: Self-assembly of DNA nanohydrogels with controllable size and stimuli-responsive property for targeted gene regulation therapy.
abstract: Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of size-controllable and stimuli-responsive DNA nanohydrogels as effective targeted gene delivery vectors. DNA nanohydrogels were created through a self-assembly process using three kinds of building units, respectively termed Y-shaped monomer A with three sticky ends (YMA), Y-shaped monomer B with one sticky end (YMB), and DNA linker (LK) with two sticky ends. Hybridization at the sticky ends of monomers and LK leads to nanohydrogel formation. DNA nanohydrogels are size-controllable by varying the ratio of YMA to YMB. By incorporating different functional elements, such as aptamers, disulfide linkages, and therapeutic genes into different building units, the synthesized aptamer-based nanohydrogels (Y-gel-Apt) can be used for targeted and stimuli-responsive gene therapy. Y-gel-Apt strongly inhibited cell proliferation and migration in target A549 cells, but not in control cells. By taking advantage of facile modular design and assembly, efficient cellular uptake, and superior biocompatibility, this Y-gel-Apt holds great promise as a candidate for targeted gene or drug delivery and cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Key Lab of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety of the MOE, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Sena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cansiz
authors.forename: Cuichen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiehua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Weijia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Yanyue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Liqin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: I-ting
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Huang-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004220:Disulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004220:Disulfides; D020100:Hydrogels; D004247:DNA