MX2008006004A - Immunostimulatory properties of oligonucleotide-based compounds comprising modified immunostimulatory dinucleotides. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. More particularly, the invention provides an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides for use in methods for generating an immune response or for treating a patient in need of immunostimulation. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention preferably comprise novel purines. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides according to the invention further comprise at least two oligonucleotides linked at their 3' ends, internucleoside linkages or functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotidic linker, at least one of the oligonucleotides being an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and having an accessible 5' end.

Description

IMMUNOESTIMULATING PROPERTIES OF COMPOUNDS BASED OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDES THAT COMPRISE MODIFIED IMMUNOSTIMULATORY DINUCLEOTIDES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to immunology and immunotherapy applications using oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Oligonucleotides have become indispensable tools in modern molecular biology, are used in a wide variety of techniques ranging from diagnostic probe methods to PCR for antisense inhibition of gene expression and applications in immunotherapy. This widespread use of oligonucleotides has generated an increasing demand for fast, cheap and efficient methods for the synthesis of oligonucleotides. The synthesis of oligonucleotides for antisense and diagnostic applications can now be carried out systematically. See, e.g., Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 20: Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, p. 165-189 (S. Agrawal, ed., Humana Press, 1993); Oligonucleotides and Analogues, A Practice! Approach, pp. 87-1 08 (F. Eckstein, ed., 1991); and Uhlmann and Peyman, supra; Agrawal and lyer, Curr. Op. In Biotech. 6:12 (1995); and Antisense Research and Applications (Crooke and Lebleu, eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993). Early synthesis approaches include the phosphodiester and phosphotriester chemistry. For example, Khorana et al., J. Molec. Biol. 72: 209 (1972) describes the phosphodiester chemistry for the synthesis of oligonucleotides. Reese, Tetrahedron 'Lett. 34: 3143-3179 (1978), describes the phosphotriester chemistry for the synthesis of oligonucleotides and polynucleotides. These early approaches have long fructified approaches for the most efficient synthesis of phosphoramidite and H-phosphonate. For example, Beaucage and Caruthers, Tetrahedron Lett. 22: 1859-1862 (1981), describe the use of deoxyribonucleoside phosphoramidites in the synthesis of polynucleotides. Agrawal and Zamecnik, patent of E.U.A. No. 5,149,798 (1992), describes optimized synthesis of oligonucleotides by the H-phosphonate approach. Both of these modern approaches have been used to synthesize oligonucleotides having a variety of modified internucleotide linkages. Agrawal and Goodchild, Tetrahedron Lett. 28: 3539-3542 (1987), describes the synthesis of oligonucleotide methylphosphonates using phosphoramidite chemistry. Connolly et al., Biochem. 23: 3443 (1984), describes the synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphorothioates using the phosphoramidite chemistry. Jager et al., Biochem. 27: 7237 (1988), describes the synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphoramidates using phosphoramidite chemistry. Agrawal et al., Proc. Nati Acad. Sci. (USA) 85: 7079-7083 (1988), describes the synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphoramidates and phosphorothioates using the H-phosphonate chemistry. More recently, several researchers have demonstrated the validity of the use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. The observation that phosphodiester oligonucleotides and phosphorothioate can induce immune stimulation has generated interest in developing this side effect as a therapeutic tool. These efforts have focused on phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing the native CpG dinucleotide. Kuramoto et al., Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 83: 1 128-1131 (1992) disclose that phosphodiester oligonucleotides containing a palindrome including a CpG dinucleotide can induce synthesis of interferon a and? and increase the natural cytolytic activity. Krieg et al., Nature 371: 546-549 (1995) discloses that oligonucleotides containing CpG phosphorothioate are immunostimulatory. Liang et al., J. Clin. Invest. 98: 1 119-1 129 (1996) describes that said oligonucleotides activate human B-lymphocytes. Moldoveanu et al., Vaccine 16:12 6-24 (1998) discloses that phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing CpG increase the immune response against the influenza virus. McCIuskie and Davis, J. Immunol. 161: 4463-4466 (1998) describe that oligonucleotides containing CpG act as potent adjuvants, increasing the immune response against hepatitis B surface antigen. Hartman et al., J. Immunol 164: 1617-1624 (2000) describe that the immunostimulatory sequence is species-specific and different between mice and primates. Other modifications of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing CpG may also affect their ability to act as modulators of the immune response. See, for example Zhao et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. (1996) 51: 173-182; Zhao et al., Biochem Pharmacol. (1996) 52: 1537-1544; Zhao et al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. (1997) 7: 495-502; Zhao et al., Bioorg. Meó. Chem. Lett. (1999) 9: 3453-3458; Zhao et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (2000) 10: 1051-1054; Yu et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (2000) 10: 2585-2588; Yu et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (2001) 11: 2263-2267; and Kandimalla et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. (2001) 9: 807-8 3. These reports make clear that there still remains the need to be able to modulate the immune response caused by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and overcome the species specificity of other immunostimulatory sequences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides methods for modulating the immune response caused by oligonucleotide compounds. The methods according to the invention allow modifying the profile of cytokines produced by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides for immunotherapeutic applications. The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the modification of immunostimulatory dinucleotides allows flexibility in the nature of the immune response produced and that certain modifications overcome the species specificities observed hitherto of the immunostimulatory sequences. In a first aspect the invention provides an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group of 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'TGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTR'GTTdUrX-UidTTGRTGTCT-S; 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGR'TGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCL ^ d-X-dU! CTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTROTTddC X-d ^ dTTGRTGTC-S '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTR'GACATG X- iATCAGR GTCT-S '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-5 'and 5'-TCRAACRTTCR-X-RCTTRCAARCT-5', where R '= 1- (2'-deoxy- -D-hbofuranosyl) -2 -oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine; = 2'-O-methylribonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder. In a second aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions. These compositions comprise any of the compositions described in the first aspect of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a third aspect, the invention provides a method for generating an immune response in a vertebrate, the method comprising administering to the vertebrate an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGRTGTCT-5 '; 5 -TCTGTR'GTTdU! -X-U! DTTGR GTCT-5; S'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCU ^ rX-dUiCTTGRTGTC-S '; 5"-CTGTR'GTTCiUiCi-X-CiUiCiTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5'; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACATGI-X -GIATCAGRTGTCT-5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5'; S'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT -S '; S'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGR'TGRT-5'; 5'-TROAAROTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGR'T-5 '; 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATG R'ATG RT-5 'and 5'-TCRAACRTTCR-X- RCTTRCAARCT-5', where R '= 1- (2'-deoxy- -D-hbofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine; = 2'-O-methylribonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol linker In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for therapeutically treating a vertebrate having cancer, an autoimmune disorder, inflammation of the respiratory tract, inflammatory disorders, skin disorder, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen, said method comprises administering to the patient an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X- TCTTGRT GTCT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCi Ui-X-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-5; 5 -CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCL ^ d-X-CiUiCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTROTTdUid-Xd ^ dTTGRTGTC-S "; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5'; S'-TCTGTR'GACA ^ rX-G ^ CAGRTGTCT-S '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-S'; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT -S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-5'; S'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '; 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATG R'ATG RT-5 'and 5'-TCRAACRTTCR-X-RCTTRCAARCT-5', where R '= 1 - (2'-deoxy- -D-ribofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-met Lpurine; = 2 -0-methylribonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol linker In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing cancer, an autoimmune disorder, inflammation of the respiratory tract, inflammatory disorders, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen in a vertebrate, said method comprises administering to the vertebrate an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group of S'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGRTGTCT -S '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCiUrX-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-5; S'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCUid-X-d U ^ TTGRTGTC-S '; 5'-CTGTR'GTTd Uid-X-Ci UiCiTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5"; 5'-TCTGTR'GTAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAiGrX-GiAiCAGRTGTCT-5'; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT -5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5'; 5'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT -5 '; S'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-S'; 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATG R'ATG RT-5 'and 5'-TCRAACRTTCR-X- RCTTRCAARCT -5 ', wherein R' = 1- (2'-deoxy-D-ribofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine; A1 / C1 / G1 / U1 = 2'-O-methylribonucleotides R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a synthesis scheme for the linear synthesis of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. DMTr = 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl; CE = cyanoethyl. Figure 2 is a synthesis scheme for the parallel synthesis of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. DMTr = 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl; CE = cyanoethyl. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the 3'-terminal nucleoside of an oligonucleotide showing that a non-nucleotide bond can be attached to a nucleoside in the nucleobase, in the 3 'position or in the position 2'. Figure 4 shows the induction of IL-2 in C57BL / 6 mouse spleen cell culture by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. Figure 5 shows the induction by IL-6 in cultures of C57BL / 6 mouse spleen cells by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. Figure 6 shows induction of IFN-a in human pDC cultures by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. Figure 7 shows the induction of IFN-a in human PBMC cultures by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention. Figure 8 shows the proliferation of human B lymphocytes by immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents for immunotherapy applications. The patents, patent applications and references described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent so that each is specifically and individually indicated as incorporated by reference. In case of inconsistencies between any teaching of any reference mentioned herein and this specification, the latter will prevail, for the purposes of the invention. The invention provides methods for improving the immune response caused by immunostimulatory compounds used for immunotherapy applications such as, but not limited to cancer treatment, autoimmune disorders, asthma, respiratory allergies, food allergies and infections by bacteria, parasites or viruses in an adult and a pediatric human and in veterinary applications. Therefore, the invention further provides compounds having optimal levels of immunostimulatory effect for immunotherapy and methods for making and using said compounds. In addition, the compounds of the invention are useful as adjuvants in combination with DNA vaccines, antibodies and allergens; and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents and / or antisense oligonucleotides. The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that a modification of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide to optimally present its 5 'ends significantly affects its immunostimulatory capabilities. In addition, the present inventors have discovered that the cytokine profile and species specificity of an immune response can be modulated by using novel purine or pyrimidine structures as part of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide. In a first aspect, the invention provides immunostimulatory oligonucleotides alone or comprising at least two oligonucleotides attached at their 3 'ends or an internucleoside linkage or a functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotide linker, at least one of the oligonucleotides is a immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and has an accessible 5 'end. As used herein, the term "accessible 5 'terminus" means that the 5' end of the oligonucleotide is sufficiently available so that factors that recognize and bind to the oligonucleotide and stimulate the immune system have access thereto. In oligonucleotides having an accessible 5 'end, the 5' OH position of the terminal sugar is not covalently bound to more than two nucleoside residues or any other portion that interferes with the interaction with the 5 'end. Optionally, 5 'OH can be attached to a phosphate, phosphorothioate or a phosphorodithioate moiety, an aromatic or aliphatic linker, cholesterol or other entity which does not interfere with its accessibility. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides according to the invention preferably further comprise an immunostimulatory dinucleotide comprising a novel purine or pyrimidine. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides include a ribozyme or an oligonucleotide decoy. As used herein, the term "ribozyme" refers to an oligonucleotide that possesses catalytic activity. Preferably, the ribozyme binds to a specific nucleic acid target and separates the target. As used herein, the term "oligonucleotide decoy" refers to an oligonucleotide that binds to a transcription factor in a sequence-specific manner and suppresses transcription activity. Preferably, the ribozyme or oligonucleotide decoy shows secondary structure including, without limitation, stem-loop or hairpin structures. In some embodiments, at least one oligonucleotide comprises poly (I) -poly (C). In some embodiments, at least one set of Nn includes a chain of 3 to 10 dGs and / or Gs or Gs ribo or 2-substituted arabino. For purposes of the invention, the term "oligonucleotide" refers to a polynucleoside from a plurality of linked nucleoside units. Said oligonucleotides can be obtained from existing nucleic acid sources which include genomic or cDNA but preferably are produced by synthetic methods. In preferred embodiments, each nucleoside unit includes a heterocyclic base and pentofuranosyl, trehalose, arabinose, 2'-deoxy-2'-substituted arabinose, 2'-O-substituted arabinose, or an exo sugar group. The nucleoside residues can be coupled together by any of numerous known internucleoside linkages. Such intemucleoside linkages include, without limitation, phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, phosphoradithioate, alkylphosphonate, alkylphosphonothioate, phosphotriester, phosphoroamidate, siloxane, carbonate, carboalkoxy, acetamidate, carbamate, morpholino, borane, thioether, bridged phosphoroamidate, bridged methylene phosphonate, bridged phosphorothioate, and internucleoside sulfone. The term "oligonucleotide" also encompasses polynucleosides having one or more stereospecific internucleoside linkages (eg (Rp) - or (Sp) -phosphorothioate, alkylphosphonate or phosphotriester linkages). As used herein, the terms "oligonucleotides" and "dinucleotides" are expressly designed to include polynucleosides and dinucleosides having any internucleoside linkage, whether the linkage comprises a phosphate group or not. In some preferred embodiments, these intemucleoside linkages can be phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkages or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of the oligonucleotides has from about 3 to about 35 nucleoside residues, preferably from about 4 to about 30 nucleoside residues, more preferably from about 4 to about 20 nucleoside residues. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides comprise oligonucleotides having from about 5 to about 18, or from about 5 to about 14 nucleoside residues. As used herein, the term "approximately" implies that the exact number is not critical. In this way, the number of nucleoside residues in the oligonucleotides is not critical and oligonucleotides having one or two less nucleoside residues or one to several additional nucleoside residues are contemplated as equivalents of each of the embodiments described in the foregoing. In some embodiments, one or more of the oligonucleotides have 11 nucleotides. In the context of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides, preferred embodiments have from about 13 to about 35 nucleotides, more preferably, from about 13 to about 26 nucleotides.

The term "oligonucleotide" also encompasses polynucleosides having additional substituents including, without limitation, protein groups, lipophilic groups, intercalating agents, diamines, folic acid, cholesterol and adamantane. The term "oligonucleotide" also encompasses any other nucleobase-containing polymer that includes, without limitation, peptide nucleic acids (PNA), peptide nucleic acids with phosphate groups (PHONA), assured nucleic acids (LNA), oligonucleotides with morpholino structure and oligonucleotides that have main structure sections with alkyl linkers or amino linkers. The oligonucleotides of the invention may include nucleosides as found naturally, modified nucleosides or mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term "modified nucleoside" is a nucleoside that includes a modified heterocyclic base, a modified sugar moiety, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the modified nucleoside is a non-natural pyrimidine or purine nucleoside as described herein. In some embodiments, the modified nucleoside is a 2'-substituted nucleoside, an arabinonucleoside or a 2'-deoxy-2'-substituted-arabinose. For purposes of the invention, the term "2'-substituted ribonucleoside or 2'-substituted arabinoside" includes ribonucleosides or arabinonucleoside in which the hydroxyl group at the 2 'position of the pentose portion is substituted to produce a 2'-substituted ribonucleoside. or 2'-0-substituted. Preferably, said substitution is with a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms or with an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl or aryl group may be unsubstituted or may be substituted , for example, with halo, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, carboxyl, carboalkoxy or amino. Examples of 2'-O-substituted ribonucleosides or 2'-0-substituted arabinosides include, without limitation, 2'-0-methylribonucleosides or 2'-O-methylarabinosides and 2'-O-methoxyethyltrinucleosides or 2'-O-methoxyethylarabinosides. The term "2'-substituted ribonucleoside" or "2'-substituted arabinoside" also includes ribonucleosides or arabinonucleosides in which the 2'-hydroxyl group is substituted with a lower alkyl group containing 1 - . 1-6 saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms or with an amino or halo group. Examples of such 2'-substituted ribonucleosides or 2'-substituted arabinosides include, without limitation, ribonucleosides or arabinosides 2'-amino, 2'-fluoro, 2'-allyl and 2'-propargyl. The term "oligonucleotide" includes hybrid and chimeric oligonucleotides. A "chimeric oligonucleotide" is an oligonucleotide having more than one type of n-nucleoside linkage. A preferred example of such a chimeric oligonucleotide is a chimeric oligonucleotide comprising a phosphorothioate, phosphodiester or phosphorodithioate and nonionic linkages such as alkylphosphonate or alkylphosphonothioate linkages (see, for example, Pederson et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,635,377 and 5,366,878). A "hybrid oligonucleotide" is an oligonucleotide that has more than one type of nucleoside. A preferred example of said hybrid oligonucleotide comprises a ribonucleotide or a 2 'substituted ribonucleotide region and a deoxyribonucleotide region (see, for example, Metelev and AgrawaI, U.S. Patent No. 5,652,355, 6,346,614 and 6,143,881). For purposes of the invention, the term "immunostimulatory oligonucleotide" refers to an oligonucleotide as described above that induces an immune response when administered to a vertebrate such as a fish, a bird or a mammal. As used herein, the term "mammal" includes, without limitation, rats, mice, cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, non-human and human primates. Useful immunostimulatory oligonucleotides can be found described in AgrawaI et al., WO 98/49288, published November 5, 1998.; WO 01/12804, published February 22, 2001; WO 01/55370, published on August 2, 2001; PCT / US01 / 13682, filed April 30, 2001 and PCT / US01 / 30137 filed September 26, 2001. Preferably, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprises at least one internucleoside phosphodiester phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkage. In some embodiments the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprises an immunostimulatory dinucleotide of the formula 5'-Pyr-Pur-3 ', wherein Pyr is a natural or synthetic pyrimidine nucleoside and Pur is a natural or synthetic purine nucleoside. In some preferred embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprises an immunostimulatory dinucleotide of formula 5'-Pur * -Pur-3 where Pur * is a synthetic purine nucleoside and Pur is a natural or synthetic purine nucleoside. In various places the dinucleotide is expressed as RpG, C * pG or YZ, in which case respectively, R, C * or Y represent a synthetic purine. A particularly preferred synthetic purine is 2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine. When this synthetic purine is in the Pur * position of the dinucleotide, the species specificity (sequence dependency) of the immunostimulatory effect is eliminated and the cytokine profile is improved. As used herein, the term "pyrimidine nucleoside" refers to a nucleoside wherein the base complement of the nucleoside is a monocyclic nucleobase. Similarly, the term "purine nucleoside" refers to a nucleoside wherein the nucleoside base component is a bicyclic nucleobase. For purposes of the invention, a "synthetic" pyrimidine or purine nucleoside includes a pyrimidine or purine base such as is not naturally found, a sugar portion that is not found naturally or a combination thereof. The preferred pyrimidine nucleosides according to the invention have structure (I): (i) wherein: D is a hydrogen bond donor; D 'is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrogen bond donor, a hydrogen bond acceptor, a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, a group that removes electrons and a group that donates electrons; A is a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrophilic group; A 'is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen bond acceptor, a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, a group that removes electrons ~ and "a group that donates electrons, X is carbon or nitrogen, and S' is a ring of pentose or hexose sugar or a sugar that is not naturally found.Preferably, the sugar ring is derivatized with a phosphate moiety, a modified phosphate moiety or another suitable linking moiety for linking the pyrimidine nucleoside to another nucleoside or nucleoside analogue. Preferred hydrogen bond donors include, without limitation, -NH-, -NH2-, -SH and -OH.Preferred hydrogen bond acceptors include, without limitation, C = O, C = S and the nitrogen atoms in the ring of an aromatic heterocycle, for example cytosine N3 In some embodiments, the base portion in (I) is a pyrimidine base which is not found naturally The preferred pyrimidine base examples not found in a natural manner include, without limitation, 5'-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, N4-alkylcytosine, preferably N4-ethylcytosine and 4'-thiouracil. However, in some embodiments, 5-bromocytosine is specifically excluded. In some embodiments, the sugar portion S 'in (I) is a sugar portion that is not found naturally. For the purposes of the present invention, a "naturally occurring sugar portion" is a sugar portion that is naturally found as part of nucleic acid, for example ribose and 2'-deoxyribose and a " portion of sugar that is not found naturally "is any sugar in which it is not found naturally as part of a nucleic acid but which can be used in the main structure of an oligonucleotide, for example hexose. Arabinose and arabinose derivatives are examples of preferred sugar portions. The preferred purine nucleoside analogs according to the invention have structure (II): wherein: D is a hydrogen bond donor; D 'is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrogen bond donor and a hydrophilic group; A is a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrophilic group; X is carbon or nitrogen; each L is independently an atom that is selected from the group consisting of C, O, N and S; and S 'is a pentose or hexose sugar ring or a sugar that is not found naturally. Preferably, the sugar ring is derivatized with a phosphate moiety, a modified phosphate moiety or another linking moiety suitable for linking the pyrimidine nucleoside to another nucleoside or nucleoside analog. Preferred hydrogen bond donors include, without limitation, -NH-, -NH2-, -SH and -OH. Preferred hydrogen bond acceptors include, without limitation, C = O, C = S, -NO2, and the nitrogen atoms in the ring of an aromatic heterocycle, eg, guanine N1. In some embodiments, the base portion in (II) is a purine base that is not found naturally. Examples of preferred non-naturally occurring purine bases include, without limitation, 2-amino-6-thiopurine and 2-amino-6-oxo-7-desazapurine. In some embodiments, the sugar portion S 'in (II) is a sugar portion as found naturally, as described above for structure (I). In preferred embodiments, the immunostimulatory dinucleotide is selected from the group consisting of CpG, C * pG, CpG * and C * pG *, wherein the base of C is cytosine, the base of C * is 2'-thymine, hydroxycytosine, N4-alkylcytosine, 4-thiouracil or other unnatural pyrimidine, or 2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine, wherein the base is 2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine, preferably covalently attached to the 1 'position of a pentose via position 1 of the base; the base of G is guanosine, the base of G * is 2-amino-6-γ-7-deazapurine, 2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine, 6-thioguanine, 6-oxopurine or another nucleoside of unnatural purine and p is an internucleoside linkage that is selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester, phosphorothioate and phosphoradithioate. In some preferred embodiments, the immunostimulatory dinucleotide is not CpG. Immunostimulatory oligonucleotides can include immunostimulatory portions on one or both sides of the immunostimulatory dinucleotide. Thus, in some embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprises an immunostimulatory domain of structure (III): 5 '- ?? -? 1 -? -? -? 1 - ?? - 3' (III) where: the base of And it is cytosine, thymine, 5-hydroxycytosine, N4-alkylcytosine, 4-thiouracil or another non-natural pyrimidine nucleoside or 2-oxo-7-deaza-8 methylpurine, where the base is 2-oxo-7-deaza-8 -methylpurine, preferably is covalently attached to the 1 'position of a pentose via the 1-position of the base; the base of Z is guanine, 2-amino-6-oxo-7-deazapurine, 2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine, 2-amino-6-thiopurine, 6-oxopurine or other unnatural purine nucleoside; N1 and Nn independently each time it is presented, preferably is a naturally occurring or synthetic nucleoside or an immunostimulatory portion that is selected from the group consisting of abasic nucleosides, arabinonucleosides, 2'-deoxyuridine, α-deoxyribonucleosides, β- L-deoxyribonucleosides and nucleosides linked by a phosphodiester or a modified internucleoside linkage to an adjacent nucleoside on the 3 'side, the modified internucleotide linkage is selected, without limitation, from a linker having a length from about 2 angstroms to about 200 angstroms, an alkyl linker of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, a poly (ethylene glycol) linker, a 2-aminobutyl-1,3-propanediol linker, a glyceryl linker, a 2'-5 'internucleoside linkage and an internucleoside phosphorothioate, phosphoramidithioate linkage or methylphosphonate; with the proviso that at least one N1 or Nn is optionally an immunostimulatory portion; where n is a number from 0 to 30; and wherein the 3 'end, an internucleoside linker or a derivatized nucleobase or sugar is attached directly or via a non-nucleotide linker to another oligonucleotide, which may or may not be immunostimulatory. In some preferred embodiments, YZ is arabinocytidine or arabinocytidine substituted with 2'-deoxy-2 'and arabinoguanosine or arabinoguanosine substituted with 2'-deoxy-2'. Preferred immunostimulatory moieties include natural phosphodiester backbones and modifications in phosphate backbones including, without limitation, methylphosphonates, methylphosphonothioates, phosphotriesters, phosphorothiotriesters, phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, tri-ester prodrugs, sulfones, sulfonamides, sulfamates, formacetal, N-methylhydroxylamine, carbonate , carbamate, morpholino, boranophosphonate, phosphoramidates, especially primary amino phosphoramidates, N3 phosphoramidates and N5 phosphoramidates and stereospecific bonds (for example (Rp) or (Sp) -phosphorothioate, alkyl phosphonate or phosphotriester linkages). Preferred immunostimulatory portions according to the invention further include nucleosides having sugar modifications including, without limitation, 2'-substituted pentose sugars including, without limitation, pentose sugars 2'-O-methylribose, 2'-0-methoxyethyl; lribose, 2'-0-propargylribose and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluororbubose; 3'-substituted pentose sugars including, without limitation, 3'-O-methylribose; 1 ', 2'-d-deoxyribose; arabinose; substituted arabinose sugars including, without limitation, 1'-methylorabinose, 3'-hydroxymethylarabinose, 4'-hydroxymethylarabinose, 3'-hydroxyarabinose and 2'-substituted arabinose sugars; hexose sugars including, without limitation, 1,5-anhydrohexitol; and anomers a. In embodiments in which the modified sugar is a 3'-deoxyribonucleoside or a 3'-0-substituted ribonucleoside, the immunostimulatory portion is linked to the adjacent nucleoside via a 2'-5 internucleoside linkage. The preferred immunostimulatory portions according to The invention further includes oligonucleotides having other modifications and substitutions in the carbohydrate backbone including peptide nucleic acids (PNA), peptide nucleic acids with phosphate groups (PHONA), secured nucleic acids (LNA), oligonucleotides of morpholino backbone and oligonucleotides having linker sections of backbone structure having a length of from about 2 angstroms to about 200 angstroms including, without limitation, alkyl linkers or amino linkers. The alkyl linker may be branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted and chirally pure or a racemic mixture. More preferably, said alkyl linkers have from about 2 to about 18 carbon atoms. In some preferred embodiments said alkyl linkers have from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms. Some alkyl linkers include one or more functional groups that are selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, thiol, thioether, ether, amide, thioamide, ester, urea and thioether. Some of said functionalized alkyl linkers are poly (ethylene glycol) linkers of the formula -O- (CH2-CH2-O-) n (n = 1-9). Some other functionalized alkyl linkers are peptides or amino acids. Preferred immunostimulatory portions according to this invention further include DNA isoforms including, without limitation, β-L-deoxyribonucleosides and α-deoxyribonucleosides. Preferred immunostimulatory portions according to the invention incorporate 3 'modifications and further include nucleosides having non-natural internucleoside link positions including, without limitation, 2'-5', 2'-2 \ 3'-3 'and 5' linkages -5'. Preferred immunostimulatory portions according to the invention further include nucleosides having modified heterocyclic bases including, without limitation, 5'-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, N4-alkylcytosine, preferably N4-ethylcytosine, 4-thiouracil, 6-thioguanine, - desazaguanina, inosina, nitropirrol, C5-propinilpirimidina and diaminopurinas that include, without limitation, 2,6-diaminopurina. By way of specific illustration and in no way as limitation, for example, in the immunostimulatory domain of structure (III), an internucleoside linkage methylphosphonate at position N1 or Nn is an immunostimulatory portion, a linker having a length of about 2. angstroms at approximately 200 angstroms, an alkyl linker of 2 to 18 carbon atoms at position X1 is an immunostimulatory portion and a β-L-deoxyribonucleoside at position X1 is an immunostimulatory portion. See Table 1 below for representative positions and structures of the immunostimulatory portions. It is to be understood that reference to a linker as the immunostimulatory portion at a specified position means that the nucleoside residue in this position is substituted at its 3'-hydroxyl with the indicated linker, whereby a modified internucleoside linkage between said nucleoside residue is generated. and the adjacent nucleoside on the 3 'side. Similarly, reference to a modified internucleoside linker as the immunostimulatory portion at a specified position means that the nucleoside residue in that position is linked to the adjacent nucleoside on the 3 'side by means of the aforementioned linkage.

TABLE 1 Table 2 shows representative positions and structures of immunostimulatory portions within an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having an upstream enhancement domain. As used herein, the term "separator 9" refers to a poly (ethylene glycol) linker of formula -O- (CH2CH2-O) n-, where n is 3. The term "separator 18" refers to a poly (ethylene glycol) binder of formula -0- (CH2CH2-O) n-, wherein n is 6. As used herein, the term "alkyl binder of 2 to 18 carbon atoms refers to a binder of formula -O- (CH2) qO-, where q is an integer from 2 to 18. Accordingly, the terms "C3 linker" and alkyl linker of 3 atoms "carbon" refers to a binder of the formula -O- (CH 2) 3-O-. For each separator 9, separator 18 and alkyl binder of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, the binder is connected to the adjacent nucleosides by means of phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate bonds.

TABLE 2 Position TYPICAL IMMUNOSTIMULATOR 5 'N2 Naturally occurring nucleosides, 2-aminobutyl-1, 3-propanediol 5'N1-linker Naturally found nucleosides, β-L-deoxyribonucleoside, alkyl linker of 2 to 18 carbon atoms carbon, poly (ethylene glycol), abasic linker, 2-aminobutyl-1,3-propanediol 3'N1-linker Naturally found nucleosides, 1 ', 2'-dideoxyribose, 2'-O-methylribonucleoside, alkyl linker 2 to 18 carbon atoms, separator 9, separator 18 3 'N2 Nucleosides as found naturally, 1', 2'-dideoxytribose, 3'-deoxyribonucleoside, β-L-deoxyribonucleoside, 2'-O-propargyl-rigonucleoside, alkyl binder of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, separator 9, separator 18, internucleoside linkage methylphosphonate 3"N3 Naturally found nucleosides, 1 ', 2'-dideoxyribose, alkyl linker of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, separator 9, separator 18, methylphosphonate internucleoside link, internucleoside link 2 '-5', d (G) n, poly-polyC 3'N 2 + 3 'N 3 1', 2'-d-deoxyribose, β-L-deoxyribonucleoside, alkyl linker of 2 to 18 carbon atoms , d (G) n, poly-polyC 3? 3 + 3 'N 4 2'-O-methoxyethylribonucleoside, internucleoside linkage methylphosphonate, d (G) n, poly-polyC 3? 5 + 3' N 6 1 ', 2 Dideoxytribose, alkyl binder of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, d (G) n, poly-polyC 5? 1 + 3 'N 3 V ^' -dideoxyribose, d (G) n, polyl-polyC Table 3 shows Representative positions and structure of immunostimulatory portions within an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a downstream enhancement domain TABLE 3 The stimulatory oligonucleotides according to the invention comprise at least two oligonucleotides attached at their 3 'ends or internucleoside linkage or a functionalized nucleobase or sugar via a non-nucleotide linker. For purposes of the invention, a "non-nucleotide linker" is any portion that can be linked to the oligonucleotides by means of covalent or non-covalent linkages. Preferably said linker is from about 2 angstroms to about 200 angstroms in length. Several examples of preferred binders are set forth in the following. Non-covalent binders include, but are not limited to, electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interactions, p-stacking interactions, and hydrogen bonding. The term "non-nucleotide linker" does not mean referring to an n-nucleoside linkage, as described above, for example a phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate functional group that directly connects the 2-hydroxyl groups of two nucleotides. For the purposes of this invention, it is considered that said 3 \ 3'-direct bond (where the binder is not involved) is a "nucleotide link". In some embodiments, the non-nucleotide linker is a metal that includes, without limitation, gold particles. In some other modalities, the non-nucleotide linker is a sphere of soluble or insoluble biodegradable polymer. In other additional embodiments, the non-nucleotide linker is an organic portion having functional groups that allow binding to the oligonucleotide. Said binding preferably is by any stable covalent bond. As a non-limiting example, the binder can be attached to any suitable position of the nucleoside, as illustrated in Figure 3. In some preferred embodiments, the binder is attached to 3'-hydroxyl. In such embodiments, the binder preferably comprises a hydroxyl functional group which is preferably attached to the 3'-hydroxyl by means of a phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate or non-phosphate based linkage. In some embodiments, the non-nucleotide linker is a biomolecule that includes, without limitation polypeptides, antibodies, lipids, antigens, allergens and oligosaccharides. In some other embodiments, the non-nucleotide linker is a small molecule. For purposes of the invention, a small molecule is an organic portion having a molecular weight of less than 1,000 Da. In some embodiments, the small molecule has a molecular weight of less than 750 Da. In some embodiments, the small molecule is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, any of which optionally can include, either in a linear chain connecting the oligonucleotides attached thereto, one or more functional groups that are selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, thiol, thioether, ether, amide, thiamide, ester, urea and thiourea. The small molecule can be cyclic or acyclic. Examples of small molecule binders include, but are not limited to amino acids, carbohydrates, cyclodextrins, adamantane, cholesterol, haptens and antibiotics. However, for purposes of describing the non-nucleotide linker, the term "small molecule" is not intended to include a nucleoside. In some embodiments, the small molecule binder is glycerol or a glycerol homologue of the formula HO- (CH 2) 0-CH (OH) - (CH 2) P-OH wherein o and p independently are integers from 1 to about 6, from 1 to about 4, or from 1 to about 3. In some other embodiments, the small molecule linker is a derivative of 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane. Some of said derivatives have the formula HO- (CH2) mC (O) NH-CH2-CH (OH) -CH2-NHC (O) - (CH2) m-OH, wherein m is an integer from 0 to about 10, from 0 to about 6, from 2 to about 6 or from 2 to about 4. Some non-nucleotide linkers according to the invention allow the binding of more than two oligonucleotides. For example, the small molecule binder glycerol has three hydroxyl groups to which oligonucleotides can be covalently linked. Some immunostimulatory oligonucleotides according to the invention therefore comprise more than two oligonucleotides attached at their 3 'ends to a non-nucleotide linker. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention can conveniently be synthesized using an automated synthesizer and the phosphoramidite approach as described essentially in FIGS. 1 and 2 and as described further in the examples. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides are synthesized by the linear synthesis approach (see Figure 1). As used herein, the term "linear synthesis" refers to a synthesis that begins at the end of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and progresses linearly to the other end. The linear synthesis allows the incorporation of identical or non-identical monomeric units (in terms of length, base composition and / or incorporated chemical modifications) into the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.

LINKERS FOR LINEAR SYNTHESIS An alternative mode of synthesis is the "parallel synthesis" in which the synthesis advances outward from a central linking portion (see Figure 2). A binder attached to a solid support can be used for parallel synthesis, as described in the U.S. patent. No. 5,912,332. Alternatively, a universal solid support (such as controlled pore glass attached to phosphate) can be used as a support.

LINKERS FOR PARALLEL SYNTHESIS Without linker S, Glycerol brancher B, Ramifier sim. Long Linker Long Linker Parallel synthesis of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides has several advantages over linear synthesis: (1) parallel synthesis allows the incorporation of identical monomer units; (2) unlike the linear synthesis, both (or all) of the monomer units are synthesized at the same time, therefore the number of synthetic stages and the time required for the synthesis is the same as that of a monomeric unit; and (3) the reduction in the synthesis steps improves the purity and yield of the final immunostimulatory oligonucleotide product. At the end of the synthesis either by linear synthesis or parallel synthesis protocol, immunostimulatory oligonucleotides can be conveniently deprotected with concentrated ammonia solution or as recommended by the phosphoramidite supplier, if a modified nucleoside is incorporated. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide product is preferably purified by reverse phase CLAP, detritylated, the salt removed and dialyzed. Table 4 shows the representative immunostimulatory oligonucleotides according to the invention.

TABLE 4 Examples of immunostimulatory oligonucleotide sequences R "= (1- (2'-deoxy-D-ribofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine; A-1 / C1 / G1 / U1 = 2'-O-methylribonucleotides; R = 2 In a second aspect, the invention provides immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugates comprising an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide as described above and an antigen conjugated to the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide at a position other than the 5-deoxyguanosine: X = glycerol linker. In some embodiments, the non-nucleotide linker comprises an antigen which is conjugated to the oligonucleotide.In some embodiments, the antigen is conjugated to the oligonucleotide at a position different from its 3 'end.In some embodiments, the antigen produces an effect of vaccine.Preferably, the antigen is selected from the group consisting of antigens associated with a pathogen, antigens associated with cancer, antigens associated with an autoimmune disorder and antigens associated with others. diseases such as, but not limited to, veterinary or pediatric diseases. For purposes of the invention, the term "associated with" means that the antigen is present when the pathogen, cancer, autoimmune disorder, food allergy, respiratory allergy, asthma or other disease is present, but is not present or present in the reduced amounts when the pathogen is absent, cancer, autoimmune disorder, food allergy, respiratory allergy or disease. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide covalently linked to the antigen or in some other way operatively associated with the antigen. As used herein, the term "operatively associated with" refers to any association that maintains the activity of both the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and the antigen. Non-limiting examples of such operational associations include being part of the same or other liposome of said delivery or reagent vehicle. In embodiments wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is covalently bound to the antigen said covalent bond is preferably at any position on the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide in addition to the accessible 5 'end of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide. For example, the antigen can bind in an internucleoside link or can bind to a non-nucleotide linker. Alternatively, the antigen is used as a non-nucleotide binder. In a third aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate according to the invention and a physiologically acceptable carrier. As used herein, the term "physiologically acceptable" refers to a material that does not interfere with the efficacy of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and that is compatible with a biological system such as a cell, cell culture, tissue or organism. Preferably, the biological system is a living organism such as a vertebrate. As used herein, the term "carrier" encompasses any excipient, diluent, filler, salt, buffer, stabilizer, solubilizer, lipid or other material well known in the art for use in pharmaceutical formulations. It will be understood that the characteristics of the carrier, excipient or diluent will depend on the route of administration for a particular application. The preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable formulations containing these materials are described, for example in Remington's Pharmaceuticals Sciences, eighteenth edition, ed. A. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1990. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides methods for generating an immune response in a vertebrate, said methods comprising administering to the vertebrate an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate of according to the invention. In some modalities, the vertebrate is a mammal. For purposes of this invention, the term "mammal" is expressly intended to include humans. In preferred embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate is administered to a vertebrate in need of immunostimulation. In the methods according to this aspect of the invention, the administration of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate can be by any suitable route including, without limitation, the parenteral, oral, sublingual, transdermal, topical, intranasal, aerosol route , intraocular, intratracheal, intrarectal, vaginal, by gene gun, by dermal patch or eye drops or in the form of mouthwash. The administration of the therapeutic compositions of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides can be carried out using known methods at dosages and for periods of time effective to reduce the symptoms or surrogate markers of the disease. When administered systemically, the therapeutic composition is preferably administered in a sufficient dosage to obtain a blood concentration of immunostimulatory oligonucleotide from about 0.0001 micromolar to about 10 micromolar. For localized administration, much lower concentrations than these can be effective and much higher concentrations can be tolerated. Preferably, a total immunostimulatory oligonucleotide dosage ranges from about 0.001 mg per patient per day to about 200 mg per kg of body weight per day. It may be desirable to administer simultaneously or sequentially a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the therapeutic compositions of the invention to an individual as a single treatment episode. In some preferred embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate according to the invention is administered in combination with vaccine, antibodies, cytotoxic agents, allergens, antibiotics, antisense oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, gene therapy vectors, DNA and / or adjuvants to increase the specificity or magnitude of the immune response In these embodiments, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention may act in various ways as adjuvants and / or produce direct immunostimulatory effects, either immunostimulatory oligonucleotides or the oligonucleotide conjugate. immunostimulator or vaccine, or both may optionally be linked to an immunogenic protein, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), B subunit of cholera toxin or any other immunogenic carrier protein. Any of the range of adjuvants can be used and include, without limitation, complete Freund's adjuvant, KLH, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), aluminum dioxide and saponins including QS-21, imiquimod, R848 or combinations thereof. For the purposes of this aspect of the invention, the term "in combination with" means in the course of treating the same disease in the same patient and includes administering the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and / or the vaccine and / or the adjuvant in any order , including simultaneous management as well as temporarily separate ordering of up to several days apart. Said combined treatment can also include more than a single administration of immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and / or independently of the vaccine and / or independently of the adjuvant. The administration of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and / or the vaccine and / or the adjuvant can be by the same or different routes. The methods according to this aspect of the invention are useful for studies of immune system models. The methods are also useful for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases in humans or animals. For example, the methods are useful for pediatric and veterinary vaccine applications. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides methods for therapeutically treating a patient having a disease or disorder, said methods comprising administering to the patient an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate according to the invention. In various embodiments, the disease or disorder to be treated is cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen. Pathogens include bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, viroids and prions. The administration is carried out as described for the fourth aspect of the invention. For purposes of the invention, the term "allergy" includes, without limitation, food allergy and respiratory allergies. The term "airway inflammation" includes, without limitation, asthma. As used herein, the term "autoimmune disorder" refers to disorders in which "own" proteins undergo attack by the immune system. The term includes autoimmune asthma. In any of the methods according to this aspect of the invention, the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate can be administered in combination with any other agent useful for treating the disease or condition that does not diminish the immunostimulatory effect of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide. For example, in the treatment of cancer, it is contemplated that the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide or the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide conjugate may be administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic compound. The following examples are designed to further illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of oligonucleotides containing immunostimulatory portions Oligonucleotides are synthesized on a scale of 1 μ ???? at 0.1 mM in an automated DNA synthesizer (OligoPilot II, AKTA, (Amersham) and / or Expedite 8909 (Applied Biosystem)), following the procedures of linear synthesis or parallel synthesis indicated in figures 1 and 2. Phosphoramidites 5 -DMT dA, dG, dC and T are purchased from Proligo (Boulder CO). The 5-DMT 7-deaza-dG and araG phosphoramidites are obtained from Chemgenes (Wilmington, MA). The solid support of DiDMT-glycerol binder is obtained from Chemgenes. The amidite 1- (2'-deoxy-pDr-bofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine is obtained from Glen Research (Sterling, VA), 2'-O-methylribonucleoside amidites are obtained from Promega (Bishop , CA). All oligonucleotides are modified in the main structure of phosphorothioate. All nucleotide phosphoramidites are characterized by 31 P and 1 H NMR spectrum. The modified nucleosides are incorporated at specific sites using standard coupling cycles recommended by the supplier. After the synthesis, the oligonucleotides are deprotected using concentrated ammonium hydroxide and purified by reverse phase CLAP, trityl elimination, followed by dialysis. Oligonucleotides purified as in the sodium salt form are localized before use. The purity is tested by CGE and EM MALDI-TOF. The endotoxin concentrations are determined by the LAL test and it is below 1.0 EU / mg.

EXAMPLE 2 Short Immunostimulatory Oligonucleotide Activity in Murine Spleen Cell Cultures Spleen C57 / BL6 cells are cultured with indicated concentrations of compounds. After 24 hours, the supernatants are collected and the concentrations of IL-12 and IL-6 are determined by ELISA. All immunostimulatory oligonucleotides show an induction that depends on the concentration of two typical cytokines, IL-12 and IL-6 (Figures 4-5).

EXAMPLE 3 (protocol necessary for induction of IFN-g in human pDC) Folic density gradient centrifugation (Histopaque-1077, Sigma) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are isolated from the blood of freshly extracted healthy volunteers (CBR Laboratories, Boston, MA). The pDCs of PBMCs are isolated by positive selection using BDCA4 cell isolation equipment (Milteny Biotec) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The pDCs are plated in 96-well plates using 1 x 106 cells / ml. The IMO dissolved in 10 DPBS (pH 7.4, Mediatech) are added to a final concentration of 10.0 ng / ml) to cell cultures. The cells are then incubated at 37 ° C for 24 h and the supernatants are harvested by ELISA analysis. The experiments are carried out in wells in triplicate. IFN-a concentrations are measured by indirect ELISA (sandwich type). The necessary agents, including cytokine antibodies and standards are acquired from PharMingen.

EXAMPLE 4 Induction of IFN-ot in human PBMC Human PBMCs are seeded in 48-well plates using 5 x 10 6 cells / ml. The IMOs are dissolved in DPBS (pH 7.4, Miediatech) and added to a final concentration of 10.0 μg / ml in cell cultures. The cells are then incubated at 37 ° C for 24 h and the supernatants are harvested by ELISA analysis. The experiments are performed by wells in triplicate. IFN-a concentrations are measured by indirect ELISA. Reagents required, including cytokine antibodies and standards are purchased from PharMingen.

EXAMPLE 5 Proliferation of human B lymphocytes The culture medium used for the analysis consists of RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 1.5 mM glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.1 mM non-essential amino acids, 50 μ? 2-mercaptoeranol, 100 IU / ml of penicillin-streptomycin mixture and serum Fetal bovine inactivated by heat 10%. A total of 0.5 X 106 B leukocytes per mi (ie I'X 105/200 μ? /?) Is stimulated in 96 well flat bottom plates with different concentrations of test oligonucleotides in triplicate for a total period of 72 hours. After 66 h the cells are pulsed with 0.75 μ? of [3 H] -thymidine (1 Ci = 37 GBq; Perkin Elmer Life Sciences) in 20 μ? of RPMI 640 medium (without serum) per well and harvested 8 h later. The plates are then harvested using a cell harvester and the reagent incorporation is determined using standard liquid scintillation techniques. The results are expressed as an average of cpm +/- SD or as a proliferation index (cpm of the treated group / cpm of the control medium).

EQUIVALENTS Although the above invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes in shape and detail can be made without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. true scope of the invention and the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1 . - An immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group of S'-TCTGTR'GTTd 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCL ^ CrX-Ci UiCTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5'-CTGTR'GTTCi d d-X-Ci UiCiTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTR'GACA ^ rX-GiA ^ AGRTGTCT-S '; 5 -TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGR'T-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATG RTG RT-5 '; 5'-TR'G AAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '; and S'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-S ', wherein R "= 1 - (2'-deoxy- -D-ribofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpuhna; A - \ / C- / G- \ ll) - = 2'-0-methyl-ribonucleotides¡ R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder 2. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to the claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCiUi-XU- | C- | TTG RTGTCT-5 ', 3. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized by having the structure 5'-CTGTR 'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5'. 4. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCUiCi-X-CiUiCTTGRTGTC-S '. 5. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTdUiCrX-CiUiCiTTGRTGTC-5 '. 6. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '. 7. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '. 8. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAiGrX-GiAiCAGRTGTCT-S '. 9. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '. 10. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '. 11. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '. 12. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-5 '. 13. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TR'G AAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTG R'AAG RT-5 '. 14. - The immunostimulatory oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has the structure 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-S '. 15. - A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the oligonucleotide according to claim 1 and a physiologically acceptable carrier. 16. The use of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the S'-TCTGTR'GTTCiUi-X-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-S 'group; 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCUid-X-CI UTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTdU ^^ X-CiU ^^ GR GTC-S '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5 -TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGR'TGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTROACA ^ rX-G ^ CAGRTGTCT-S '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAG R'TG ACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '; and S'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGR'T-S ', where R' = 1- (2'-deoxy- -Dr¡bofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8 -methypurine; A1 / C1 / G1 / U1 = 2'-0-methyl-rbonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder, for the manufacture of a medicament useful for generating an immune response in a vertebrate. 17. - The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the drug is adapted to be administrable by a selected parenteral route, oral, sublingual, transdermal, topical, intranasal, aerosol, intraocular, intratracheal, intrarectal, vaginal, gene gun, dermal patch, eye drops and mouthwash. 18. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTdUi-X-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-S '. 19. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-S '. 20. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCUid-X-dUnCTTGRTGTC-S '. 21. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCiUiCi-X-dUidTTGRTGTC-S '. 22. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '. 23. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGR'TGTCT-5 '. 24. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAiGi-X-G! A! CAGRTGTCT-5 '. 25. - The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '. 26. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '. 27. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGR'TGR'TS. "28. - The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-5 '29. The use as claimed in claim 16, in where the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '30. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5 '-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-S' 31. - The use of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the S'-TCTGTR'GTTCiUi-X-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-S 'group; 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S'-CTGTR'GTTCL ^ d-X-CiUiCTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5, -CTGTR, GTTC1U1C X-C1U1C1TTGRTGTC-5; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTR'GACA ^ X-dATCAGRTGTCT-S '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '; 5 -TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGR'TGR'T-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATG R G RT-5 '; 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '; and 5'-TR'GTAR, GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-5, I wherein R '= 1- (2'-deoxy-p-D-ribofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpurine; A-i / Ci / d / Ui = 2'-O-methyl ribonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder, for the manufacture of a medicament useful for treating a vertebrate having cancer, an autoimmune disorder, inflammation of the respiratory tract, inflammatory disorders, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen. 32. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the medicament is adapted to be administrable by a selected parenteral, oral, sublingual, transdermal, topical, intranasal, aerosol, intraocular, intratracheal, intrarectal route, vaginal, gene gun, dermal patch, eye drops and mouthwash. 33. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTROTTdUrX-U! DTTGRTGTCT-S. "34. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTG RTGTC-5 '. 35. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCU ^ iX-dUíCTTGRTGTC-S '. 36.- The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR, GTTCiU1C1-X-C1U1CiTTGR, TGTC-5 \ 37. use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '. 38. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '.39. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACA ^ rX-GiA ^ AGRTGTCT-S '. 40. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5. "41. - Use as claimed in the claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '. 42. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'- TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '. 43. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X -ATGATGRTGRT-5 '44. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-S'. The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-5 '. 6. - The use of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having a structure of the group of S'-TCTGTR'GTTdUrX-UiCiTTGRTGTCT-S '; 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTGRTGTC-5 '; 5'-CTGTROTTCUid-X-dUiCTTGRTGTC-5 '; S TGTR'GTTC ^ d-X ^ iddTTGRTGTC-S '; 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 '; 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '; S'-TCTGTR'GACAid-X-dA ^ AGRTGTCT-S '; 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGR'TGACT-5 '; 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X- GTCAGRTGACT-5 '; S'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGRT-S '; 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTG R'AAG RT-5 '; and S'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-S ', wherein R' = 1- (2'-deoxy- -D-hbofuranosyl) -2-oxo-7-deaza-8-methylpunna; A1 C1 / G1 / U1 = 2'-O-methylene ribonucleotides; R = 2'-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine and X = glycerol binder, for the manufacture of a medicament useful to avoid cancer, an autoimmune disorder, inflammation of the respiratory tract, inflammatory disorders, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen in a vertebrate. 47. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the medicament is adapted to be administrable by a selected parenteral, oral, sublingual, transdermal, topical, intranasal, aerosol, intraocular, intratracheal, intrarectal route, vaginal, gene gun, dermal patch, eye drops and mouthwash. 48. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTC ^ I-X-UTCITTGRTGTCT-S '. 49. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCTC-X-CTCTTG RTGTC-5 '. 50. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCUiCrX-CiUiCTTG RTGTC-5 '. 51. - The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-CTGTR'GTTCi Uid-X-d U! CiTTGRTGTC-5 '. 52. - The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GTTCT-X-CGTTCGAACGT-5 \ 53. - The use as claimed in claim 46 , wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAG-X-GACAGRTGTCT-5 '. 54. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCTGTR'GACAiGi-X-G ^ iCAGRTGTCT-S '. 55. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GTTAG-X-GATTGRTGACT-5 '. 56. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TCAGTR'GACTG-X-GTCAGRTGACT-5 '. 57. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GAR'GAT-X-TAGR'AGRTGRT-5 '. 58. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTR'GTAGTA-X-ATGATGRTGR'T ^ '. 59. The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GAAR'GTTCT-X-TCTTGR'AAGRT-5 '. 60.- The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has the structure 5'-TR'GTAR'GTACT-X-TCATGR'ATGRT-5 '. 61. - The oligonucleotide according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising an antibody, antisense oligonucleotide, protein, antigen, allergen, chemotherapeutic agent or adjuvant. 62. - The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 15, further characterized in that it comprises an antibody, antisense oligonucleotide, protein, antigen, allergen, chemotherapeutic agent or adjuvant. 63. The use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the medicament is adapted to be further administrable with an antibody, antisense oligonucleotide, protein, antigen, allergen, chemotherapeutic agent or adjuvant. 64.- The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the medicament is adapted to be further administrable with an antibody, antisense oligonucleotide, protein, antigen, allergen, chemotherapeutic agent or adjuvant. 65. - The use as claimed in claim 46, wherein the medicament is adapted to be further administrable with an antibody, antisense oligonucleotide, protein, antigen, allergen, chemotherapeutic agent or adjuvant.