Journal Article

Metal-organic frameworks for precise inclusion of single-stranded DNA and transfection in immune cells

Xia, Yucong, Tang, Heng, Zhou, Wentao, Zhou, Xiang, Deng, Hexiang, Sun, Yangzesheng, Cong, Hengjiang, Liu, Min, Bie, Binglin, Peng, Shuang

2018

Overview

Effective transfection of genetic molecules such as DNA usually relies on vectors that can reversibly uptake and release these molecules, and protect them from digestion by nuclease. Non-viral vectors meeting these requirements are rare due to the lack of specific interactions with DNA. Here, we design a series of four isoreticular metal-organic frameworks (Ni-IRMOF-74-II to -V) with progressively tuned pore size from 2.2 to 4.2 nm to precisely include single-stranded DNA (ssDNA, 11–53 nt), and to achieve reversible interaction between MOFs and ssDNA. The entire nucleic acid chain is completely confined inside the pores providing excellent protection, and the geometric distribution of the confined ssDNA is visualized by X-ray diffraction. Two MOFs in this series exhibit excellent transfection efficiency in mammalian immune cells, 92% in the primary mouse immune cells (CD4+ T cell) and 30% in human immune cells (THP-1 cell), unrivaled by the commercialized agents (Lipo and Neofect). Non-viral vectors are important for transfection but can be limited in the uptake, protection and release of ssDNA. Here, the authors report on the design of metal-organic-framework vectors with precisely controlled pore geometry and demonstrate the vector in the transfection of immune cells.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 42 / 42/109 / 631/1647/2300/1851 / 631/67/1059/602 / 639/638/298/921 / CD4 antigen / CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology / Commercialization / Crystallography, X-Ray / Deoxyribonucleic acid / DNA / DNA, Single-Stranded - analysis / Flow Cytometry / Humanities and Social Sciences / Humans / Immune System / Lymphocytes T / MCF-7 Cells / Metal-organic frameworks / Metal-Organic Frameworks - chemistry / multidisciplinary / Nickel / Nuclease / Nucleic acids / Pore size / Porosity / Powders / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Single-stranded DNA / Transfection / Transfection - methods / X-Ray Diffraction