An RNA/DNA hybrid origami-based nanoplatform for efficient gene therapy
Xiaohui Wu, Qing Liu, Fengsong Liu, Tiantian Wu, Yingxu Shang, Jianbing Liu, Baoquan Ding
Abstract
Nucleic acid nanostructures are promising biomaterials for the delivery of homologous gene therapy drugs. Herein, we report a facile strategy for the construction of target mRNA (scaffold) and antisense (staple strands) co-assembled RNA/DNA hybrid "origami" for efficient gene therapy. In our design, the mRNA was folded into a chemically well-defined nanostructure through RNA-DNA hybridization with high yield. After the incorporation of an active cell-targeting aptamer, the tailored RNA/DNA hybrid origami demonstrated efficient cellular uptake and controllable release of antisenses in response to intracellular RNase H digestion. The biocompatible RNA/DNA origami (RDO) elicited a noticeable inhibition of cell proliferation based on the silencing of the tumor-associated gene polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). This RDO-based nanoplatform provides a novel strategy for the further development of gene therapy.