Designer DNA hydrogels stimulate 3D cell invasion by enhanced receptor expression and membrane endocytosis

Abstract

DNA has emerged as one of the smartest biopolymers to bridge the gap between chemical science and biology to design scaffolds like hydrogels by physical entanglement or chemical bonding with remarkable properties. We present here a completely new application of DNA-based hydrogels in terms of their capacity to stimulate membrane endocytosis, leading to enhanced cell spreading and invasion for cells in ex vivo 3D spheroids models. Multiscale simulation studies along with DLS data showed that the hydrogel formation was enhanced at lower temperature and it converts to liquid with increase in temperature. DNA hydrogels induced cell spreading as observed by the increase in cellular area by almost two-fold followed by an increase in the receptor expression, the endocytosis, and the 3D invasion potential of migrating cells. Our first results lay the foundation for upcoming diverse applications of hydrogels to probe and program various cellular and physiological processes that can have lasting applications in stem cell programming and regenerative therapeutics.