Engineering Cell-Surface Receptors with DNA Nanotechnology for Cell Manipulation

Cell-surface receptors play pivotal roles in the regulation of cell fate. Molecular engineering of cell-surface receptors enables control of cell signaling and manipulation of cell behavior in a user-defined way. Currently, the development of chemical-biological approaches for non-genetic engineering and regulation of membrane receptors is attracting significant interest. Recent research advances in functional nucleic acids and DNA nanotechnology have made it possible to use DNA as a new and promising molecular toolkit for controlling receptor-mediated signaling and cell fates. In this minireview we summarize the advances in the use of DNA nanotechnology for the spatiotemporal regulation of cell receptors and highlight practical applications in manipulating cell functions including cell adhesion, cell-cell contact, cell migration, and cellular immunity. We also provide a perspective on the potential of and challenges facing DNA-based receptor engineering in future applications of cell manipulation and cell-based therapy.