Methods of preventing and treating respiratory viral infection using immunomodulatory polynucleotide

Abstract

The invention provides methods of preventing and/or treating infection by a respiratory virus such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), particularly reducing infection and/or one or more symptoms of respiratory virus infection. A polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (an “ISS”) is administered to an individual which is at risk of being exposed to a respiratory virus, has been exposed to a respiratory virus or is infected with a respiratory virus. The ISS is administered without any antigens of the respiratory virus. Administration of the ISS results in reduced incidence and/or severity of one or more symptoms of respiratory virus infection.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of suppressing a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an individual who has been exposed to RSV, comprising administering a composition comprising a polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) to said individual, wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-C, G-3′, wherein an RSV antigen is not administered in conjunction with administration of said composition, and wherein said composition is administered in an amount sufficient to suppress a RSV infection.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-T, C, G-3′.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, G-3′ or 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, C-3′.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3   , wherein the ISS comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5′-AACGTTCC-3′,5′-AACGTTCG-3′,5′-GACGTTCC-3′, and 5′-GACGTTCG-3′.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-TGACTGTGAACGTTCGAGATGA-3′(SEQ ID NO:1).  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the individual is a mammal.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein administration is at a site of exposure.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein the site of exposure is respiratory mucosa.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein the site of exposure is the nasal passages.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the suppression comprises a reduction of RSV titer in a biological sample from said individual.  
     
     
         11 . A kit for use in suppressing a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an individual infected with or exposed to RSV, comprising: 
 a composition comprising a polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS), wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-C, G-3′ and wherein said kit does not comprises an RSV antigen; and    instructions for administration of said composition to an individual infected with or exposed to RSV to suppress RSV infection.    
     
     
         12 . The kit of    claim 11   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-T, C, G-3′.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of    claim 11   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, G-3′ or 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, C-3′.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of    claim 13   , wherein the ISS comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5′ -AACGTTCC-3′,5′-AACGTTCG-3′,5′-GACGTTCC-3′ and 5′-GACGTTCG-3′.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of    claim 11   , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-TGACTGTGAACGTTCGAGATGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1).