Minimal sequence requirements for oligodeoxyribonucleotides activating human TLR9.

Synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) containing CpG (unmethylated deoxycytidylyl-deoxyguanosine dinucleotide) motifs activate endosomal TLR9. The nucleotide sequence, length, and dimerization properties of ODNs modulate their activation of TLR9. We performed a systematic investigation of the sequence motifs of B-class and C-class phosphodiester ODNs to identify the sequence properties that govern TLR9 activation.

Delivery system for the enhanced efficiency of immunostimulatory nucleic acids.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, including immunostimulatory nucleic acids (INAs). INAs are recognized by TLRs in endosomes, leading to the activation of signalling pathways that activate the innate immune response. This feature makes INAs and their synthetic analogues useful as adjuvants in vaccines and in cancer treatment.