RNA sequence motifs in the context of defined internucleotide linkages inducing specific immune modulatory profiles
Immunostimulatory polymers that contain certain sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and methods for the use of such immunostimulatory polymers and compositions containing such polymers are provided according to the invention. The sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and the polymers incorporating such motifs are potent and selective inducers of TLR7 and the TLR7-associated cytokine IFN-α.
1. A method for treating an infectious disease, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an RNA nucleotide polymer selected from:
(SEQ ID NO 3)
A-A-A-C-G-C-U-C-A-G-C-C-A-A-A-G-C-A-G;
(SEQ ID NO 17)
A-A-A-C-G-C-U-C-A-C-C-C-A-A-A-G-C-A-G;
(SEQ ID NO 22)
A-A-A-C-A-C-U-C-A-G-C-C-A-A-A-G-C-A-G;
and
(SEQ ID NO 23)
A-A-A-C-C-C-U-C-A-G-C-C-A-A-A-G-C-A-G,
wherein the polymer comprises a phosphodiester backbone.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject a microbial antigen.