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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.08.01.668157

Growth-factor ligand functionalization enhances cellular and in vivo uptake of DNA nanodevices

Biswas, A.·Naveena, H. A.·Kansara, K.·Parma, B.·Shekhar, V.·Kumar, D. A.·Gupta, S.·Bhatia, D.
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Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-{beta}) are two important classes of growth factor that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, differentiation, immune responses, and extracellular matrix generation. Using a short peptide-based ligand coupled to DNA nanocages, we present the enhanced internalization of a receptor-mediated peptide-DNA nanocage. We used here tdDNA as a delivery vehicle. Our study in cellular and in vivo showed excellent internalization, cell growth, and inhibition. We expect that a tdDNA-modified receptor-binding peptides could become a valuable scaffold for use as a cellular programming and regenerative material.

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Biswas, A., Naveena, H. A., Kansara, K., Parma, B., Shekhar, V., Kumar, D. A., Gupta, S., Bhatia, D.. 2025-08-02. Growth-factor ligand functionalization enhances cellular and in vivo uptake of DNA nanodevices. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.01.668157

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