DNA Nanotechnology for Precise Control over Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy

Abstract

Nanomedicine has been growing exponentially due to its enhanced drug targeting and reduced drug toxicity. It uses the interactions where nanotechnological components and biological systems communicate with each other to facilitate the delivery performance. At this scale, the physiochemical properties of delivery systems strongly affect their capacities. Among current delivery systems, DNA nanotechnology shows many advantages because of its unprecedented engineering abilities. Through molecular recognition, DNA nanotechnology can be used to construct a variety of nanostructures with precisely controllable size, shape, and surface chemistry, which can be appreciated in the delivery process. In this review, different approaches that are currently used for the construction of DNA nanostructures are reported. Further, the utilization of these DNA nanostructures with the well-defined parameters for the precise control in drug delivery and gene therapy is discussed.

Advances in DNA Origami–Cell Interfaces

“…For a molecular delivery system, the first step that needs to be considered is a method for cellular internalisation. There are multiple ways by which DNA nanostructures are believed to enter the cell, which can involve endocytotic or non‐endocytotic pathways . The endocytotic pathways may include clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, caveloae‐mediated endocytosis, phagocytosis and macropinocytosis.…”

“…Unsurprisingly, however, it is an attractive choice for use in biological and medical applications, as well. DNA origami as a drug‐delivery vehicle has been receiving much attention recently, and has been extensively assessed in detail by many excellent reviews . For practical use in a biological context, DNA origami structures should interact stably and efficiently with cells and tissues.…”

“…DNA origami asadrug-delivery vehicle has been receiving much attention recently,a nd has been extensively assessed in detail by many excellent reviews. [7][8][9][10] For practical use in ab iological context, DNA origami structures should interacts tably and efficiently with cells and tissues. Herein, firstly,w ed iscuss recent advances in quantifying cellular uptake and stabilityo f DNA origami structures under physiological conditions and de-velopmentsi nd evising rational strategiest oe nhanceu ptake and stability.W et hen look at novel applicationso fD NA origami in interfacing with cells and therapeutic applications,i n which the unique advantages of DNA origami are utilised to accomplish and enhance the specific therapeutic effects, beyondt hose of as imple drug-delivery vehicle.…”

Artificial molecular and nanostructures for advanced nanomachinery

“…5,6 Recently, larger and more complex nanomachines have also been designed and made, including DNA nanorobots that are capable of serving as switches, rotors, joints and logic gated carriers. [7][8][9] The success in creating molecular and nanomachines indeed opens up tremendous opportunities of performing unprecedented tasks at the molecular length scale. Nevertheless, we are still a few steps behind the Feynman-type nanorobots, which probably require the combination of nanomachinery parts across various length scales for performing intelligent and sophisticated functions.…”

Self‐Assembled Aptamer‐Nanomedicine for Targeted Chemotherapy and Gene Therapy

“…Nanomedicines offer notable advantages compared to traditional drug delivery methods including transportation of higher drug payloads, prolonged drug circulation and improved bioavailability, synergistic effects due to simultaneous administration of multiple drugs with different activities, and improved therapeutic indices through enhanced permeability, retention, and programed design . Recent studies showed that single‐stranded DNA nanostructures provide tunable, precise, rationally designed drug delivery vehicles that can be further functionalized with judiciously chosen ligands for cell‐specific and targeted therapy …”