Research progress of tetrahedral framework nucleic acids in ophthalmology

Authors:Zhang Pengcheng, Wang Liqiang, Liu Anqi

Corresponding author: Liu Anqi, Email:liuanqi301@hotmail.com

Published:2026-08-10

DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20250411-00114

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ABSTRACT 

In the field of ophthalmology, particularly in tissue regeneration, although gene therapy, stem cells, and drug development are highly regarded, their clinical translation still faces bottlenecks such as easy degradation in vivo, low delivery efficiency, and lack of targeting. In recent years, nucleic acid nanomaterials have attracted much attention due to their potential to overcome the aforementioned challenges. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), a novel DNA nanomaterial, have demonstrated growing potential in ophthalmic applications due to its excellent biological properties such as membrane penetration, high editability and cell regulation. This article elaborates on the generational evolution, synthesis, characterization, and biological features of tFNAs and focuses on their applications in ophthalmology, including vector construction, tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and disease detection. Additionally, the challenges and future directions in clinical translation are discussed, aiming to provide insights into their potential for eye disease prevention, treatment, and future applications.

KEYWORDS：

Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids;Vector;Regeneration;Optic nerve

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All articles published represent the opinions of the authors, and do not reflect the official policy of the Chinese Medical Association or the Editorial Board, unless this is clearly specified.

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Authors Info & Affiliations 

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References click to collapse

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