In Situ Loading and Delivery of Short Single- and Double-Stranded DNA by Supramolecular Organic Frameworks

Abstract

Short DNA represents an important class of biomacromolecules that are widely applied in gene therapy, editing, and modulation. However, the development of simple and reliable methods for their intracellular delivery remains a challenge. Herein, we describe that seven water-soluble, homogeneous supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) with a well-defined pore size and high stability in water that can accomplish in situ inclusion of single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA (21, 23, and 58 nt) and effective intracellular delivery (including two noncancerous and six cancerous cell lines). Fluorescence quenching experiments for single and double end-labeled ss- and ds-DNA support that the DNA sequences can be completely enveloped by the SOFs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry reveal that five of the SOFs exhibit excellent delivery efficiencies that, in most of the studied cases, outperform the commercial standard Lipo2000, even at low SOF–nucleic acid ratios. In addition to high delivery efficiencies, the water-soluble, self-assembled SOF carriers have a variety of advantages, including convenient preparation, high stability, and in situ DNA inclusion, which are all critical for practical applications in nucleic acid delivery.

Cucurbit[n]urils for Supramolecular Catalysis

“…Because of the great biocompatibility of CB[n]s, CB[n]s have already been widely used in drug delivery, [66][67][68][69][70] bio-imaging, [71][72][73] and many other bio-applications. [74][75][76][77] The compatibility of CB[n]w ith bio-systems produces great opportunities in the field of biocatalysis. To control over the reactions in bio-systems is an important field, where CB[n]s hold great potentiali n this regard.…”

Hollow structures as drug carriers: Recognition, response, and release

“…Supramolecular action is a promising method in targeting system, which is mainly based on non-covalent bonds, such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, van der Waals interactions [102,103]. The supramolecular nanovalve switch with adjustable host-guest function can realize the opening of specific lesions, ensuring the targeted delivery of drugs, and provide the possibility for targeted, reversible and controllable treatment [104,105].…”

Kinetic Investigation of a Cucurbit[7]uril-Based Pseudo[6]rotaxane System by Microfluidic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

“…Revealing the pathways and intermediates in supramolecular processes is critical in the comprehensive understanding of self-assembly [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and inspires rational design toward functional materials. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] The key to obtaining this information is to investigate the kinetics using appropriate characterization methods that provide clear structural information with high resolution in real-time. However, most of the characterization techniques could not achieve high structural resolution and high time resolution simultaneously.…”