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 for treating an immune system deficiency that is an influenza virus infection comprising
an antigen and a nucleic acid delivery complex having an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide associated with cholesterol, wherein the oligonucleotide is 8-100 nucleotides in length and comprises the formula
5′X 1 X 2 CGX 3 X 4 3′
wherein C and G are unmethylated, X 1 , X 2 , X 3 and X 4 are nucleotides.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the oligonucleotide is 8-40 nucleotides in length.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered by an oral route.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered by a parenteral route.
5. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the oligonucleotide is synthetic.
7. A method for stimulating a cytotoxic lymphocyte response in a subject comprising
administering to a subject a composition of claim 1 ,
in an effective amount for stimulating a cytotoxic lymphocyte response.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the oligonucleotide is 8-40 nucleotides in length.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising administering a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the oligonucleotide is synthetic.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the composition is administered by a parenteral route.
12. A method for promoting a Th1 immune response in a subject comprising
administering to a subject a composition of claim 1 ,
in an effective amount for promoting a Th1 immune response.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the oligonucleotide is 8-40 nucleotides in length.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising administering a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the oligonucleotide is synthetic.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is administered by a parenteral route.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the immune response comprises IL-12 production.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the immune response comprises IFN-gamma production.