Immunomodulatory polynucleotides and methods of using the same

1. A method of increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in an individual, comprising: administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) comprising CGAACGTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 77) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to said individual in an amount sufficient to increase IFN-γ in said individual.

2. A method of increasing interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in an individual, comprising: administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) comprising CGAACGTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 77) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to said individual in an amount sufficient to increase IFN-α in said individual.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ISS further comprises at least one TCG sequence.

4. The composition according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ISS further comprises a TCG sequence that is separated from the 5′ end of the ISS by one base.

5. The composition according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ISS further comprises a T sequence that is 5′ to the ISS.

6. The composition according to claim 3 , wherein the TCG sequence is at the 5′-end of the ISS.

7. The composition according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ISS comprising CGAACGTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 77) is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 11, 14, 19, 22, 28, 30, 97, 98, 102 and 132.

8. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual suffers from a disorder associated with a Th2-type immune response.

9. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual suffers from allergy.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual suffers from asthma.

11. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual has an infectious disease.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said infectious disease is an infectious disease caused by a cellular pathogen.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said infectious disease caused by a cellular pathogen is selected from the group consisting of mycobacterial disease, malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis and clonorchiasis.

14. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual has a viral infection.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the viral infection is selected from the group consisting of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis virus B, hepatitis virus C, herpes viruses, particularly herpes simplex viruses, and papilloma viruses.

16. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual has a parasitic infection.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the parasitic infection is selected from the group consisting of malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis, and clonorchiasis.

18. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual has an inflammatory disorder.

19. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said individual has cancer or tumors.

20. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said individual is a human.

21. The method of claim 9 wherein said individual is a human.

22. The method of claim 10 wherein said individual is a human.