Cell surface engineering via self-assembly DNA networks for cell behavior control

Synthesis of the extracellular matrix provides a novel opportunity to cell behavior control. However, exploration of the application of nucleic acid materials for cell surface engineering to achieve physical regulation of migration remains relatively limited. In this study, a self-assembled DNA network anchored to the cell membrane was constructed as a synthetic matrix mimic, which has been shown to inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion through physical confinement. The DNA network forms a dense and uniform engineering on the surface of tumor cells through a process of self-assembly. This study found that coating with RCA1/2 network led to a significant reduction in wound healing rate of approximately 49.19% and invasion rate of approximately 44.49%. The study also indicates that the potential mechanism for inhibiting cell migration and invasion is that coating of the DNA network on the membrane significantly limits membrane fluidity and promotes integrin retention on the membrane, thus interfering with its dynamic circulation. The spatial confinement in this study provides a novel DNA-based platform for controlling cell behavior as well as opening up a new paradigm for anti-migratory and anti-invasive strategies.