Immunomodulatory oligonucleotides

Abstract

Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of stimulating an immune response in a subject, comprising: identifying a subject that has or is at risk for having an immune system deficiency; and administering an isolated oligonucleotide comprising an unmethylated CpG sequence to the subject, to thereby stimulate the immune response in the subject.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the subject has or is at risk for having a tumor or cancer.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the subject has or is at risk for having a bacterial infection.  
     
     
         31 . A method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, comprising: administering an isolated oligonucleotide comprising an unmethylated CpG sequence to a subject having or at risk of having cancer, to thereby stimulate an immune response in the subject.  
     
     
         32 . A method of treating or preventing a bacterial infection in a subject, comprising: administering an isolated oligonucleotide comprising an unmethylated CpG sequence to a subject having or at risk of having a bacterial infection, to thereby stimulate an immune response in the subject.