title: CpG oligonucleotides as adjuvants for vaccines targeting infectious diseases.
abstract: Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated CpG motifs act as immune adjuvants, accelerating and boosting antigen-specific immune responses. CpG motifs promote the induction of Th1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines and support the maturation/activation of professional antigen presenting cells (particularly plasmacytoid dendritic cells). These effects are optimized by maintaining close physical contact between the CpG ODN and the immunogen. Co-administering CpG ODN with a variety of vaccines has improved the resultant humoral and/or cellular immune responses, culminating in enhanced protective immunity in rodent and primate challenge models. Ongoing clinical studies indicate that CpG ODN are safe and well-tolerated when administered as adjuvants to humans, and that they can support increased vaccine-specific immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, United States. klinmand@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Dennis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Klinman
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klaschik
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tross
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D018899:CpG Islands; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D016207:Cytokines; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D014765:Viral Vaccines