Self-Assembled DNA–Collagen Bioactive Scaffolds Promote Cellular Uptake and Neuronal Differentiation

Different modalities of DNA/collagen complexes have been utilized primarily for gene delivery studies. However, very few studies have investigated the potential of these complexes as bioactive scaffolds. Further, no studies have characterized the DNA/collagen complex formed from the interaction of the self-assembled DNA macrostructure and collagen. Toward this investigation, we report herein the fabrication of novel bioactive scaffolds formed from the interaction of sequence-specific, self-assembled DNA macrostructure and collagen type I. Varying molar ratios of DNA and collagen resulted in highly intertwined fibrous scaffolds with different fibrillar thicknesses. The formed scaffolds were biocompatible and presented as a soft matrix for cell growth and proliferation. Cells cultured on DNA/collagen scaffolds promoted the enhanced cellular uptake of transferrin, and the potential of DNA/collagen scaffolds to induce neuronal cell differentiation was further investigated. The DNA/collagen scaffolds promoted neuronal differentiation of precursor cells with extensive neurite growth in comparison to the control groups. These novel, self-assembled DNA/collagen scaffolds could serve as a platform for the development of various bioactive scaffolds with potential applications in neuroscience, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and in vitro cell culture.