CPG MOTIFS AS IMMUNE ADJUVANTS

Bacterial DNA contains immunostimulatory motifs that trigger an innate immune response characterized by the production of predominantly Th1- type cytokines. These motifs consist of an unmethylated CpG dinucleoti de flanked by two 5' purines and two 3' pyrimidines. We examined wheth er synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (oligos) expressing these motifs wo uld act as adjuvants to boost the immune response to DNA- and protein- based immunogens. In vivo experiments demonstrate that CpG-containing oligos augment antigen-specific serum antibody levels by up to tenfold , and IFN gamma production by up to sixfold. These effects were optimi zed by physically linking the CpG-containing motifs to the immunogen. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.