Different dimensional DNA nanostructures in receptor aggregation and cancer cell behavior modulation

Rui Liang; Xinjia Shuai; Beibei Lou; Kunhan Nie; Lin Liu; Lei Zhan; Chengzhi Huang; Jingtao Huang; Chunmei Li

doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101646

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Rui Liang, Xinjia Shuai, Beibei Lou, Kunhan Nie, Lin Liu, Lei Zhan, Chengzhi Huang, Jingtao Huang, Chunmei Li. Different dimensional DNA nanostructures in receptor aggregation and cancer cell behavior modulation[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101646

Citation:

Rui Liang, Xinjia Shuai, Beibei Lou, Kunhan Nie, Lin Liu, Lei Zhan, Chengzhi Huang, Jingtao Huang, Chunmei Li. Different dimensional DNA nanostructures in receptor aggregation and cancer cell behavior modulation[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101646

Citation:

Rui Liang, Xinjia Shuai, Beibei Lou, Kunhan Nie, Lin Liu, Lei Zhan, Chengzhi Huang, Jingtao Huang, Chunmei Li. Different dimensional DNA nanostructures in receptor aggregation and cancer cell behavior modulation[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101646

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Different dimensional DNA nanostructures in receptor aggregation and cancer cell behavior modulation

doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101646

Key Laboratory of Biomedical Analytics (Southwest University), Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

Funds:

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant Nos.: 22074124 and 22134005), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (Grant No.: XDJK2020TY001), Chongqing Talents Program for Outstanding Scientists, China (Grant No.: cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0179), and Chongqing Municipal Postgraduate Scientific Research Innovation Project, China (Project No.: CYS25177).

Received Date: Sep. 16, 2025
Accepted Date: May 03, 2026
Rev Recd Date: Apr. 30, 2026
Available Online: May 06, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Cell membrane receptors are pivotal in intracellular and extracellular communication, regulating various cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, and migration. Thus, modulating these receptors offers a promising strategy to control cell functions and behaviors. DNA nanostructures, with their excellent biocompatibility, precise sequence design, and programmable structural changes, have emerged as powerful tools in biomedical applications. This review explores the regulation of cell receptors by DNA nanostructures, classified into four binding modes, i.e., “point”, “line”, “plane”, and “network”, and examines their roles in cell migration, apoptosis, and immunoregulation, among others, with the aim of highlighting the potential of these nanostructures in advancing therapeutic strategies, particularly in cancer treatment. We highlight the potential of these nanostructures in advancing cancer therapeutics through precise receptor aggregation. Challenges such as in vivo stability and specificity are addressed, with future directions focusing on multifunctional dynamic tools and AI-assisted design systems.
- DNA nanostructures,
- Regulation modes,
- Receptor aggregation,
- Cell migration,
- Cell apoptosis

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References(101)

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