Immunostimulatory plasmids

1. An immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 89% sequence homology with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and at least 200 CpG dinucleotides, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecule is devoid of any full-length screenable or selectable marker, and wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecule does not code for an immunogen.

2. The immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule has at least 91% sequence homology with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

3. The immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises SEQ ID NO: 1.

4. An immunostimulatory composition comprising:

a. a nucleic acid molecule having at least 89% sequence homology with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and at least 200 CpG dinucleotides; and

b. a cationic liposome delivery vehicle.

5. The immunostimulatory composition of claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule has at least 91% sequence homology with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

6. The immunostimulatory composition of claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises SEQ ID NO: 1.

7. The immunostimulatory composition of claim 4 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) and cholesterol; N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium chloride (DOTAP) and cholesterol; 1-[2-(oleoyloxy)ethyl]-2-oleyl-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazolinium chloride (DOTIM) and cholesterol; and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) and cholesterol.

8. A method of stimulating an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject the immunostimulatory composition of claim 4 .

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises lipids selected from the group consisting of multilamellar vesicle lipids and extruded lipids.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) and cholesterol; N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP) and cholesterol; 1-[2-(oleoyloxy)ethyl]-2-oleyl-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazolinium chloride (DOTIM) and cholesterol; and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) and cholesterol.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein administration is selected from the group consisting of intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermal, intraperitoneal, subcutaneously, by spray, by aerosol, in ovo, orally, intraocularly, intratracheally, and intranasally.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the immunostimulatory composition further comprises a biological agent.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the biological agent is selected from the group consisting of immune enhancer proteins, immunogens, vaccines, antimicrobials, and any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the administration is before exposure to an infectious agent.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the administration is after exposure to an infectious agent.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the immune response stimulated is selected from the group consisting of a non-antigen specific immune response, an antigen specific immune response, an innate immune response, an adaptive immune response, a humoral immune response, a cell-mediated immune response, or a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 8 , wherein the subject is selected from the group consisting of mammal species, aquaculture species, and avian species.

18. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 having at least 260 CpG dinucleotides.

19. The nucleic acid of claim 1 having at least 280 CpG dinucleotides.

20. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 having 283 CpG dinucleotides.