Yu-Chi Tu,* Yu-Mei Wang,* Li-Jun Yao

Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Li-Jun Yao, Email ljyao@hust.edu.cn

Abstract: DNA can be used for precise construction of complex and flexible micro-nanostructures, including DNA origami, frame nucleic acids, and DNA hydrogels. DNA nanomaterials have good biocompatibility and can enter macrophages via scavenger receptor-mediated endocytosis. DNA nanomaterials can be uniquely and flexibly designed to ensure efficient uptake by macrophages, which represents a novel strategy to regulate macrophage function. With the development of nanotechnology, major advances have been made in the design and manufacturing of DNA nanomaterials for clinical therapy. In diseases accompanied by macrophage disturbances including tumor, infectious diseases, arthritis, fibrosis, acute lung injury, and atherosclerosis, DNA nanomaterials received considerable attention as potential treatments. However, we lack sufficient information to guarantee precise targeting of macrophages by DNA nanomaterials, which precludes their therapeutic applications. In this review, we summarize recent studies of macrophage-targeting DNA nanomaterials and discuss the limitations and challenges of this approach with regard to its potential use as a biological therapy.

Keywords: macrophages, DNA nanomaterials, therapy, macrophage-related diseases