B-cell receptor for antigen modulates B-cell responses to complex TLR9 agonists and antagonists: implications for systemic lupus erythematosus.

The capacity to make secondary structures significantly affects the ability of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists and antagonists to either induce or block TLR9-dependent activation in B cells. However, it has a minor impact on TLR9-induced activation in interferon alpha (IFNα)-producing dendritic cells. Based on the ability of inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides to form predictable secondary structures, we have classified TLR9-antagonists into Class R ('restricted', palindromic) and Class B ('broadly reactive', linear) oligodeoxynucleotides.