Immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecules
View Patent ↗Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
1. A composition comprising:
an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprising AACGTT, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is 8-100 nucleotides in length, wherein C is unmethylated, and wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide includes a phosphate backbone modification, an antigen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the phosphate backbone modification is selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate and a phosphorodithioate modification.
3. A method for promoting an immune response in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprising AACGTT, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is 8-100 nucleotides in length, wherein C is unmethylated, and wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide includes a phosphate backbone modification.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is not a palindrome.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the phosphate backbone modification is selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate and a phosphorodithioate modification.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the phosphate backbone modification is selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate and a phosphorodithioate modification.