WO2008141308A2 - Gene expression and pain - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to double-stranded oligonucleotides, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and use of such double-stranded oligonucleotides and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling in a cell or prevent and/or treat pain in a patient.

Description

GENE EXPRESSION AND PAIN

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/917,583, filed May 11, 2007, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acids, termed oligonucleotide decoys, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use of such oligonucleotide decoys and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling and to prevent and/or treat pain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Pain may be defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. Chronic pain afflicts 40% of the U.S. population and is associated with numerous deleterious medical conditions. Persistent and highly debilitating, chronic pain is generally accompanied by weakness, sleeplessness, a lack of appetite, irritability and depression. Over time, the quality of life is profoundly affected and patients are often incapable of accomplishing the simple tasks of everyday life.

[0004] Currently used pain treatments apply a three-step pain ladder which recommends the administration of drugs as follows: non-opioids (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, etc.), then, as necessary, mild opioids (e.g., codeine) and finally strong opioids (e.g., morphine). Despite this arsenal of drugs, over 50% of patients with chronic pain are not effectively treated.

[0005] The ineffectiveness of current pain treatments is, inter alia, due to significant toxicity issues with existing drug therapies. Mild to severe toxicity is induced by all classes of pain drugs: non steroidal inflammatory drugs cause gastro-intestinal damage, coxibs are associated with heart failure, and opioids are responsible for numerous side effects including respiratory depression, sedation, digestive malfunctions and addiction. [0006] Transcription factors are important factors in multiple signaling pathways and frequently control the concurrent expression of numerous genes. Many transcription factors are involved in the regulation of the expression of genes that are involved in pain including, but not limited to, POU factors, upstream stimulatory factors (USF), EGRl, cAMP-response element binding protein / activating transcription factors (CREB/ ATF), activating protein 1 (API), serum response factor (SRF), promoter selective transcription factor (SPl) and the runt related transcription factor 1 (RUNXl).

[0007] Thus, there may be significant therapeutic potential in inhibiting transcription factors in order to monitor the expression of genes involved in pain. Accordingly, what is needed are selective, readily available non-toxic transcription factor inhibitors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention satisfies these and other needs by providing oligonucleotide decoys, e.g., double-stranded oligonucleotides, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and use of such oligonucleotide decoys and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling and to prevent and/or treat pain. Generally, the oligonucleotide decoys are transcription factor inhibitors.

[0009] In one aspect, oligonucleotide decoys comprising one or more transcription factor binding sites are provided. In certain embodiments, each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU4F1, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors. In certain embodiments, the transcription factor that binds to a transcription factor binding site is a human transcription factor. In other embodiments, the transcription factor that binds to a transcription factor binding site is a non-human transcription factor (e.g., an avian, mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, dog, cat, horse, cow, etc.), or primate transcription factor).

[0010] In a related aspect, oligonucleotide decoys comprising two or more transcription factor binding sites are provided. In certain embodiments, each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, POU4F1, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEAD 1 , TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors. In certain embodiments, the relative position of the two transcription factor binding sites within the decoy modulates (e.g., increases) the binding affinity between a transcription factor and its transcription factor binding site, as compared to the binding affinity between the transcription factor and a decoy having a single transcription factor binding site. In certain embodiments, the relative position of the two transcription factor binding sites within the decoy promotes dimerization of transcription factors bound to the sites.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise: (a) a sequence selected from the group consiting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-40, 42, 45 and 47-53; or (b) a sequence having at least 50% identity with a sequence selected from the group consiting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-40, 42, 45 and 47-53.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys can be provided as salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides derivatives.

[0013] In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions comprising oligonucleotide decoys are provided. The pharmaceutical compositions generally comprise one or more oligonucleotide decoys and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

[0014] In another aspect, methods for treating or preventing pain are provided. The methods generally involve administering to a patient in need of such treatment or prevention a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.

[0015] In another aspect, methods for modulating the transcription of a gene in a cell involved in nociceptive signaling, such as a dorsal root ganglion and/or spinal cord neuron, are provided. The methods generally comprise administering to the cell an effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy. [0016] In another aspect, methods for modulating nociceptive signaling in a cell involved in nociceptive signaling, such as a dorsal root ganglion and/or spinal cord neuron, are provided. The methods generally comprise administering to the cell an effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy.

[0017] In yet another aspect, methods for monitoring the proteolytic degradation of proteins involved in nociceptive signaling in a cell are provided. The methods generally comprise administering to the cell an effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Fig. 1. A. Decoy duplex annealing control. SEQ ID NO.: 40 (34 bp) and SEQ ID NO.: 44 (20 bp) were used to control the annealing of different sizes decoys sequences on a 2.5 % agarose gel. Individual single strands migrate faster than double stranded decoys. B. Transcription factor ELISA sensitivity. hEGRl binding to biotin- coupled SEQ ID NO.: 40 in the presence of either 5 μg, 10 μg or 15 μg of K-562 cells (TPA stimulated) nuclear extracts was measured. OD45o_nm values obtained for each protein quantity are shown. C. Specificity control. The absence of non-specific binding by decoy sequences in ELISA experiments was controlled by comparing the hEGRl binding activity of SEQ ID NO.: 40 to a mismatched and mutated oligonucleotide formed by annealing the sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 43 with the sequence of SEQ ID NO.:46 (referred to hereinafter as SEQ ID NO. :43/46). Both SEQ ID NO. :40 and SEQ ID NO.:43/46 were biotinylated. OD45o_nm values obtained for each sequence are shown.

[0019] Fig. 2. A. Relative affinity. Quantitative competition ELISA involving hEGRl were performed using a constant concentration of biotinylated SEQ ID NO.: 40 (128 nM) as the probe and 10 μg of protein extract. The probe-protein mix was incubated with increasing concentrations of SEQ ID NO. : 40, SEQ ID NO. : 41 or SEQ ID NO.: 42 competitors. The inhibition of hEGRl binding by the probe was measured for each competitor at various concentrations and the resulting inhibition curves were fitted to an exponential decay model. Respective IC₅₀ are 215 nM, 250 nM and 99 nM. Mean ± SEM are given as a percentage of the maximum hEGRl binding obtained with the probe in absence of competitor; n= 2-4. B. Relative specificity. The relative binding of EGRl oligonucleotide decoy sequences to hSPl and hWTl transcription factors was measured using quantitative ELISA. Top graph: representative OD binding values of SEQ ID NO.: 40 (128 nM) to either hSPl or hWTl transcription factors, as compared to hEGRl binding, was detected with transcription factor-specific antibodies in either the presence or absence of SEQ ID NO.: 42 competitor (512 nM). For comparison, SEQ ID NO.: 11 binding to hSPl is shown. Bottom graph: binding inhibition curves for each factor are displayed. Mean and SEM are given as a percentage of the maximum binding for each transcription factor observed in absence of competitor; Ab = antibody, n=l-3.

[0020] Fig. 3. A. SqRT-PCR sensitivity. PCR detection of CDK5R1 and ACTB mRNA was performed using a constant amount of starting cDNA material and increasing PCR cycles numbers. CDK5R1 and ACTB bands sizes are respectively 711 nt and 198 nt (left panel). Results indicated a linear relationship between signal intensities and PCR cycles number (right); black line: ACTB, grey line: CDK5R1, OD = band optical density. B. CDK5R1 mRNA up-regulation. Typical gel images of CDK5R1 cDNA detection before and after vitamin treatment are shown. The presence of EGRl mRNA in control and vitamin-treated HL60 cells is also displayed. C Decoy transfection in HL60 cells. Bright field and corresponding fluorescent pictures of HL60 cells 24h after SEQ ID NO.: 40 - fluorescein transfection (500 nM). Calculated transfection yield is 70%; n = 3. D. Decoy toxicity. The percentage of dead HL60 cells 48h after transfection of either SEQ ID NO.: 40 or SEQ ID NO.: 42 (500 and 1000 μM) was measured using the tryptan blue exclusion technique; values are given as Mean ± SEM, n=2-4. E. Decoy specificity control. cDNA detection revealed a three-fold increase of CDK5R1 mRNA expression level after 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment. Specificity of the decoy treatment was controlled by comparing the inhibition level of CDK5R1 mRNA expression conferred by SEQ ID NO.: 42 and the control sequence SEQ ID NO.: 43/46 (left graph). The specificity is further controlled by showing the lack of effect of SEQ ID NO. : 42 on the BCL2 gene regulation (right graph). Decoy sequences were transfected at 500 nM. Values are given as mean ± SEM, mRNA expression levels are normalized against ACTB mRNA (arbitrary units); CTR = control, VIT = 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment. * = different from control, p < 0.01, n = 2-4.

[0021] Fig. 4. Dose responses. CDK5R1 mRNA expression level was measured by sqRT-PCR after transfection of increasing concentrations of EGRl oligonucleotide decoys (250 nM, 500 nM, and 1000 nM). CDK5R1 mRNA expression level was normalized against ACTB mRNA expression level and results are given as a percentage of inhibition of the maximum CDK5R1 expression level 48 hours after 1,25- Dihydroxyvitamin D3 application. The concentrations of SEQ ID NO.: 40, SEQ ID NO.: 41 and SEQ ID NO.: 42 needed to obtain 50% of CDK5R1 mRNA expression inhibition (IC₅₀) were 443 nM, 502 nM, and 136 nM, respectively; values are given as Mean ± SEM, * = different from consensus SEQ ID NO.: 41, p< 0.05, n ≥ 3. D. Decoys efficacy illustration. Representative CDK5R1 sqRT-PCR products separated on a 1% agarose gel are displayed before and after treatment with either SEQ ID NO.: 40 or SEQ ID NO.: 42; CTR = control, VIT = 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment.

[0022] Fig. 5. A. Decoy transfection in PC 12 cells. Bright field and corresponding fluorescent pictures of PC 12 cells 24h after fluorescein-conjugated SEQ ID NO.: 40 transfection. Calculated transfection yield is 80%; n = 3. B. Inhibition of basal expression of pain genes. The expression levels of eleven pain genes expressed in PC 12 cells are shown before (white bars) and 24h after SEQ ID NO.: 42 transfection (dashed bars); values are given as Mean ± SEM, *p < 0.1, **p< 0.05, n = 2-5.

C Inhibition ofup-regulation of pain genes. The expression level of eleven pain genes 24h after NGF + forskolin treatment, before and after SEQ ID NO.: 42 transfection is shown; values are given as Mean ± SEM, *p < 0.1, **p< 0.05 for different from control, n = 2-4. D. Decoy inhibition illustration. Left panel: representative gel showing Bdkrb2 cDNA detection in control condition (C) and after SEQ ID NO. : 42 treatment (C+seq). Right panel: representative gel showing detection of Gchl cDNA in control (C), NGF + forskolin (N) and NGF + forskolin + SEQ ID NO.: 42 (N+seq) conditions. E. Decoy specificity control. Gchl and Nosl genes were strongly up-regulated by NGF+ forskolin treatment (control = white bars, NGF + forskolin = black bars). The specificity of the decoy treatment in PC 12 cells was checked by showing the lack of effect by the control sequence SEQ ID NO.: 43/46 (grey bars) on the up-regulation of the Gchl and Nosl genes, as compare to SEQ ID NO.: 42 (dotted bars). Decoys were transfected at 500 nM. Values are given as Mean ± SEM, expression values were normalized based on Gapdh expression level (arbitrary units).

[0023] Fig. 6. A. Decoys binding and specificity. ELISA were run as previously described with biotinylated SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 11, SEQ ID NO.: 12, and SEQ ID NO.: 15 (128 nM). CREB/ATF, SPl, RUNXl and NFATCl primary antibodies were used, respectively, to detect transcription factor binding to the sequences (white bars). The specificity of each binding was checked in presence of respective competitors (2 μM, black bars). B. Inhibition ofup-regulation of pain genes. Bdnf, Scn9a, Cdk5rl, Pnmt and Nosl genes are up-regulated 24h after NGF + forskolin treatment (control = white bars, NGF + forskolin = black bars). The graph displays the effect of decoy treatments with SEQ ID NO.: 4 (horizontal dashed bars), SEQ ID NO.: 12 (small dots bars), and SEQ ID NO.: 15 (large dots bars); values are given as Mean ± SEM, expression values were normalized to Gapdh expression level (arbitrary units); **p < 0.1, **p< 0.05 for different from control, n = 2-5.

[0024] Fig. 7. A. Composite decoy EGRl binding. Biotinylated SEQ ID NO.:

40 was used as a probe (128 nM) in the presence of increasing concentrations of competitor, the composite oligonucleotide decoy SEQ ID NO.: 45, in ELISA. The inhibition curve obtained for SEQ ID NO.: 41 competitor is given as a comparison. Data are given as a percentage of the maximum hEGRl binding obtained with the probe in the absence of competitor; n = 1-3. B. CREB/ ATF and NFAT binding. The binding of SEQ ID NO.: 45 to hCREB/hATF and hNFATCl factors was measured using competition ELISA. For hCREB/hATF binding, biotinylated SEQ ID NO.: 4 was used as a probe and SEQ ID NO.: 45 as a competitor. For hNFATCl binding, biotinylated SEQ ID NO.: 15 was used as a probe and SEQ ID NO.: 45 as a competitor. White bars represent the binding of each probe alone (128 nM), black bars represents the binding of each probe in presence of competitor (2 μM). C. Dose response. The efficacy of SEQ ID NO.: 45 in inhibiting hEGRl activity in HL60 cells was measured following the inhibition of CDK5R1 expression. CDK5R1 mRNA inhibition curves of both SEQ ID NO.: 45 and SEQ ID NO.: 41 are displayed for comparison; CDK5R1 expression level is normalized against A CTB, Mean ± SEM are given as a percentage of inhibition of the maximum

CDK5R1 expression level 48 h after 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 application; n =2-4. D. Pain genes inhibition. Relative inhibition oϊBdkrb2 and Scn9a genes in PC 12 cells by independent treatments with either SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 15, SEQ ID NO.: 42, or SEQ ID NO.: 45. Decoys are transfected at 500 nM; values are given as mean ± SEM, expression values were normalized on Gapdh expression level (arbitrary units); *p < 0.1 , **p< 0.05 for different from either SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO.: 15 or SEQ ID NO.: 42. [0025] Fig. 8. A. SEQ ID NO. : 42 anti-allodynic effect at day I. Rats mechanical sensitivity was tested at day 1 post-CFA injection using Von Frey filaments of 2 different forces: 1 gram and 6 grams. Vehicle and SEQ ID NO.: 42 treatment conditions were tested. B. SEQ ID NO. : 42 anti-allodynic effect at day 4. Mechanical sensitivity was tested again at day 4 post-CFA. Again, both vehicle and SEQ ID NO.: 42 treatment conditions were tested; values are given as mean ± SEM n = 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0026] "Binding," as used in the context of transcription factors binding to oligonucleotide decoys, refers to a direct interaction (e.g., non-covalent bonding between the transcription factor and oligonucleotide decoy, including hydrogen-bonding, van der Waals bonding, etc.) between a transcription factor and an oligonucleotide decoy. Accordingly, an oligonucleotide that does not bind to a transcription factor does not directly interact with said transcription factor.

[0027] "Chronic" refers to a period of time comprising months (e.g., at least two months) or years.

[0028] "Compounds" refers to double-stranded oligonucleotides, also referred to herein as oligonucleotide decoys. The compounds described herein may contain one or more chiral centers and/or double bonds and therefore, may exist as stereoisomers, such as double-bond isomers (i.e., geometric isomers), enantiomers or diastereomers.

Accordingly, the chemical structures depicted herein encompass all possible enantiomers and stereoisomers of the illustrated compounds including the stereoisomerically pure form (e.g., geometrically pure, enantiomerically pure or diastereomerically pure) and enantiomeric and stereoisomeric mixtures. Enantiomeric and stereoisomeric mixtures can be resolved into their component enantiomers or stereoisomers using separation techniques or chiral synthesis techniques well known to the skilled artisan. Compounds may also exist in several tautomeric forms including the enol form, the keto form and mixtures thereof. Accordingly, the chemical structures depicted herein encompass all possible tautomeric forms of compounds. Compounds described herein also include isotopically labeled compounds where one or more atoms have an atomic mass different from the atomic mass conventionally found in nature. Examples of isotopes that may be incorporated into the compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to, ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, etc. Compounds may exist in unsolvated forms as well as solvated forms, including hydrated forms and as N-oxides. In general, compounds may be hydrated, solvated or N-oxides. Certain compounds may exist in multiple crystalline or amorphous forms. All physical forms are equivalent for the uses contemplated herein. Further, it should be understood, when partial structures of the compounds are illustrated, that brackets indicate the point of attachment of the partial structure to the rest of the molecule.

[0029] "Modulation of gene expression level" refers to any change in gene expression level, including an induction or activation {e.g., an increase in gene expression), an inhibition or suppression {e.g., a decrease in gene expression), or a stabilization {e.g., prevention of the up-regulation or down-regulation of a gene that ordinarily occurs in response to a stimulus, such as a pain-inducing stimulus).

[0030] "Nociceptive signaling" refers to molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the detection of a noxious stimulus or of a potentially harmful stimulus, which leads to the perception of pain, including neurotransmitter synthesis and release, neurotransmitter-induced signaling, membrane depolarization, and related intra-cellular and inter-cellular signaling events.

[0031] "Oligonucleotide" refers to any double-stranded, nucleic acid- containing polymer generally less than approximately 200 nucleotides (or 100 base pairs) and including, but not limited to, DNA, RNA and RNA-DNA hybrids. The term encompasses sequences that include any of the known base analogs of DNA and RNA including, but not limited to, 2,6-diaminopurine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2- thiouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, inosine, uracil-5-oxy acetic acid, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methyladenine, N-uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-bromouracil, methylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, ormacetal, 3'-thioformacetal, nitroxide backbone, sulfone, sulfamate, morpholino derivatives, locked nucleic acid (LNA) derivatives, and/or peptide nucleic acid (PNA) derivatives. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide is composed of two complementary single-stranded oligonucleotides that are annealed together. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide is composed of one single-stranded oligonucleotide that forms intramolecular base pairs to create a substantially double-stranded structure. [0032] "Pain" refers to an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that is associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in such terms. All of the different manifestations and qualities of pain, including mechanical pain (e.g., induced by a mechanical stimulus or by body motion), temperature-induced pain (e.g., pain induced by hot, warm and/or cold temperatures), and chemically-induced pain (e.g., pain induced by a chemical). In certain embodiments, pain is chronic, sub-chronic, acute, or sub-acute. In certain embodiments, pain features hyperalgesia (i.e., an increased sensitivity to a painful stimulus) and/or allodynia (i.e., a painful response to a usually non-painful stimulus). In certain embodiments, pain is pre-existing in a patient. In other embodiments, pain is iatrogenic, induced in a patient (e.g., post-operative pain).

[0033] "Pharmaceutically acceptable salt" refers to a salt of a compound, which possesses the desired pharmacological activity of the parent compound. Such salts include, but are not limited to: (1) acid addition salts, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or formed with organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl) benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1 ,2-ethane-disulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid,

4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-2-ene-l-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid, lauryl sulfuric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, muconic acid, and the like; or (2) salts formed when an acidic proton present in the parent compound is replaced by a metal ion, e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic base such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, N-methylglucamine and the like.

[0034] "Pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle" refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient or carrier with which a compound of the invention is administered.

[0035] "Patient" includes any animal, including birds, mammals, primates, and humans. [0036] "Preventing" or "prevention" refers to (1) a reduction in the risk of acquiring a disease or disorder (e.g., causing at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease not to develop in a patient that may be exposed to or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease), or (2) a reduction in the likely severity of a symptom associated with a disease or disorder (e.g., reducing the likely severity of at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease in a patient that may be exposed to or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease).

[0037] "Sub-acute" refers to a period of time comprising hours (e.g., lh-24h)

[0038] "Sub-chronic" refers to a period of time comprising days or months

(e.g., less than two months).

[0039] "Treating" or "treatment" of any disease or disorder refers, in some embodiments, to ameliorating the disease or disorder (i.e., arresting or reducing the development of the disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms thereof). In other embodiments "treating" or "treatment" refers to ameliorating at least one physical parameter, which may not be discernible by the patient. In yet other embodiments, "treating" or "treatment" refers to inhibiting the disease or disorder, either physically, (e.g., stabilization of a discernible symptom), physiologically, (e.g., stabilization of a physical parameter) or both. In yet other embodiments, "treating" or "treatment" refers to delaying the onset of the disease or disorder.

[0040] "Therapeutically effective amount" means the amount of a compound that, when administered to a patient, is sufficient to effect such treatment of a particular disease or condition. The "therapeutically effective amount" will vary depending on the compound, the disease, the severity of the disease, and the age, weight, etc., of the patient to be treated.

[0041] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those preferred embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Oligonucleotide Decoys

[0042] The present invention relates to oligonucleotide decoys, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and use of such oligonucleotide decoys and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling and to prevent and/or treat pain.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the invention features oligonucleotide decoys comprising one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) transcription factor binding sites. In related embodiments, each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU4F1, POU5F1, USF, EGRl , CREB/ATF, AP 1 , CEBP, SRF, ETS 1 , MEF2, SP 1 , RUNX, NFAT, ELKl , ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors. In certain embodiments, transcription factor binding sites bind to two or more members of a family of closely-related transcription factors. Representative members of such transcription factor families can be selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU4F1, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors. Thus, in certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy that binds to, e.g., EGRl, can also bind to one or more additional family members, e.g., EGR2, EGR3, EGR4.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise two or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) transcription factor binding sites. In related embodiments, each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU4F1, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors. In certain embodiments, the relative position of the two or more transcription factor binding sites within the decoy modulates (e.g. , increases or decreases) the binding affinity between a target transcription factor (i.e., the transcription factor that a particlar binding site is designed to bind to) and its transcription factor binding site, e.g., as compared to the binding affinity between the transcription factor and a decoy having a single transcription factor binding site (e.g., a consensus binding site) specific to the transcription factor. Thus, the relative position of the two transcription factor binding sites within an oligonucleotide decoy of the invention can increase the affinity of the oligonucleotide decoy for a target transcription factor (e.g., for one or more of the transcription factors targetted by the decoy). In certain embodiments, the increase in affinity of the oligonucleotide decoy for a target transcription factor is 1.2 fold or greater (e.g., about

1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0 fold, or more). In certain embodiments, the relative position of the two transcription factor binding sites within an oligonucleotide decoy promotes protein-protein interactions between transcription factors bound to the sites, e.g., homodimerization or heterodimerization of the transcription factors. In certain embodiments, such protein- protein interactions between transcription factors stablize their interactions, e.g., binding, to the oligonucleotide decoy, thereby increasing the binding affinity of the oligonucleotide decoy for one or more of the target transcription factors.

[0045] In certain embodiments, a transcription factor that binds to a transcription factor binding site present in an oligonucleotide decoy is a human transcription factor. In other embodiments, the transcription factor that binds to a transcription factor binding site in an oligonucleotide decoy is a non-human, e.g., an avian, mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, dog, cat, horse, cow, etc.), or primate, transcription factor.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the transcription factor binding sites of an oligonucleotide decoy each bind to the same transcription factor, e.g., EGRl. In other embodiments, the transcription factor binding sites of an oligonucleotide decoy bind to different transcription factors, e.g., different members of a closely related family of transcription factors (e.g., different members of the EGRl family) or a combination of transcription factors selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU4F1, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the transcription factor binding sites of an oligonucleotide decoy are separated from each other by a linker sequence. Linker sequences can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more base pairs in length. Typically, linker sequences will be two to five base pairs in length. In other embodiments, the transcription factor binding sites can be immediately adjacent to one another (e.g., no linker sequence is present) or overlapping. In cases where the transcription factor binding sites are overlapping, the transcription factor binding sites may share 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more base pairs. Alternatively, one or both of the transcription factor binding sites may be lacking base pairs that otherwise form part of a consensus binding sequence for the transcription factor(s) that bind to the site. In general, however, base pairs that are critical to the binding interaction between a transcription factor binding site and the transcription factors that bind to the site (e.g., base pairs that are essentially invariant in a consensus binding sequence for a particular transcription factor) are not shared or missing when transcription binding sequences are overlapping.

[0048] In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprise flanking sequences located at each end of the decoy sequence. Flanking sequences can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more base pairs in length. In general, flanking sequences are two to five base pairs in length. In preferred embodiments, 5' flanking sequences starts with a G/C base pair and 3 ' flanking sequences terminate in a G/C base pair. In preferred embodiments, flanking squences do not form part of a transcription factor binding site and/or do not interact with or bind to transcription factors. In other embodiments, flanking sequences form weak interactions with transcription factors bound to an adjacent transcription factor binding site.

[0049] In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys are generally at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more base pairs in length. In related embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys are generally less than 65, 60, 55, 50, or 45 base pairs in length. In preferred embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys are about 20 to 40 base pairs in length. In other embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys are about 20 to 35, 25 to 40, or 25 to 35 base pairs in length. [0050] In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise: (a) a sequence selected from the group consiting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-40, 42, 45 and 47-53; or (b) a sequence having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity with a sequence selected from the group consiting of SEQ ID NOs. : 1 -40, 42, 45 and 47-53. In related embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 90% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-39, 42, 45 and 47-52. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 85% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. : 1-17, 19-39, 42, 45 and 47-53. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 80% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-5, 7-17, 19-39, 42, 45 and 47-53. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 75% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-4, 7-9, 13, 15-17, 19-23, 26-39, 45, 48, 50, 51 and 53. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 70% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 1-3, 7-9, 13, 15-17, 19-23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34-36, 38-39 and 48. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 65% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 2-3, 9, 13, 15-16, 19-23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34-36, 38 and 39. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 60% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 2, 13, 15- 16, 21, 23, 26, 30, 32, 34-36, 38 and 39. In still other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 55% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 16, 23, 30, 32, 34, 35, 38 and 39. In still other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys comprise a sequence having at least 50% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs.: 30, 32, 35, and 38.

[0051] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula ( 1 ) :

(1) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅A6T7D8B9Niodiidi2ni3ni4ni₅ni6ni7Ai8Ti₉D2o...

...B₂IN₂₂H₂₃H₂₄U₂Sn₂₆U₂Vn₂Sn₂₉U₃₀S₃I - 3 ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "D" can be an A, G, or T nucleotide, "B" can be a C, G, or T nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (1) has at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 1. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to POU2F 1 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to POU2F1 transcription factor, such as POU2F2, POU3F1-2, and POU5F1.

[0052] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (1) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of dπ, d^n^n^n^ n^, and ni₇. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of dπ, d_12jn_13jn_14jn_15j n^, and n₁₇ have at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 1.

[0053] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (2):

(2) 5 ' -Sin2n3n4n₅n₆Y₇C8V9YioRiiNi2Gi3ni4ni₅ci6Vi₇yi8di9b2o...

...g2iy22C23V24Y25R26B2₇G28Pv29n30n3in32n33n34n3₅S36 ^~ 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "D" can be an A, G, or T nucleotide, "B" can be a C, G, or T nucleotide, "R" can be a G or an A, "V" can be an A, C, or G, "Y" can be a C or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (2) has at least about 60%, 65%,70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to USFl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to USFl transcription factor, such as USF2.

[0054] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (2) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_14j ni₅, Ci₆, v_17j y_18j dig, b₂o, g₂₁, and y₂₂. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_14j n₁₅, C₁₆, V₁₇, y₁₈, di9, b₂o, g₂₁, and y₂₂ have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2.

[0055] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (3):

(3) 5 ' - Sin₂n3W4W5G6S7G8K9RioGiiGi₂Mi3ni₄ni₅ni6Wi7Wi8Wi9g₂o... ...S₂Ig₂₂K₂₃R₂₄G₂₅G₂₆M₂₇D₂Sn₂₉U₃On₃In₃₂U₃₃S₃₄ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, 'W can be a A or a T, "D" can be an A, G, or T nucleotide, "R" can be a G or an A, "K" can be a T or a G, "M" can be a C or a A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (3) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to EGRl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to EGRl transcription factor, such as EGR2-4.

[0056] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (3) comprises a deletion of one or more {e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_14j n_15! n^, W₁₇, w_18j W₁^ g₂o, S₂₁, and g₂₂. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_14j nis, ni₆, w_17j W₁₈, W19, g2o, S₂₁, and g₂₂ have at least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3.

[0057] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (4):

(4) 5' - Sininsn^sne^TgKgAioSiiSiibismHnisnieTπKigAigSio...

...S2lB22M23N24n25n26n27n28S29 ^~ 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide,"B" can be a C,G or T, "K" can be a T or a G, "M" can be a C or a A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (4) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to CREB 1 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to CREBl transcription factor, such as CREB3-5 and ATF 1-7.

[0058] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (4) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or 4) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of b₁₃,m₁₄,n₁₅, and n₁₆. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of b₁₃,m₁₄,n₁₅, and n₁₆ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4.

[0059] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (5):

(5) 5 ' - SiS2n3n4n₅n6T7G8A9Siokiini2hi3ri4ri₅ri6ti7Gi₈Ai9S2o...

...K2lN22H₂3r24r25n26n27n₂8S29S30 - 3 ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "R" can be a G or an A, "K" can be a T or a G, "H" can be a C, T or a A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (5) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to API /JUN transcription factors. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to APl/JUN transcription factors, such as AP1/JUN-B, -D and AP1/FOS.

[0060] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (5) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6 or 7) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of Ic₁ ^n₁₂₁ Ii₁₃, r_14jr_15j T₁₆, andtπ. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of Ic₁₁, ni₂, h^, r_14j r_15j Tie, andt₁₇ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 5.

[0061] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (6):

(6) 5' - Si^ns^nsWeWyWgGgAioTnT^KisTπSisSieaivaigk^o...

...H₂Ig₂₂A₂₃T₂₄T₂SK₂₆ T27C28S29A30A31K32S33H3411351136S37 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be A or T, "K" can be a T or a G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (6) has at least about 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to CEBPA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to CEBPA transcription factor, such as CEBP-B, -D, -E, -G, -Z.

[0062] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (6) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₁₅, S₁₆, an, a_18j k^, S20, n₂i, and g₂₂. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of s_15j S₁₆, a_17j a_18j k^ s₂o, n_21j and g₂₂ have at least 85% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 6.

[0063] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (7):

(7) 5' - Sin2n3n4n₅n₆g7g₈a9tioriiti2Ci3Ci4Ai₅Ti₆Ai7Ti₈Ti9A₂o...

...G₂₁G₂₂a₂₃g₂₄a₂₅t₂6n₂₇n₂₈n₂9n₃₀w₃₁w₃₂s₃₃S₃₄- 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or T, Y can be a C or T, "R" can be a G or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (7) has at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 7. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to SRF transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to SRF transcription factor, such as ELKl .

[0064] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (7) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 or 17) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of g₇, g₈, a₉, tio, rii, t_12j a₂3, g₂4, a₂₅, t₂₆, n₂₇ n_28jn₂9 n₃o w_31jW₃₂ and S₃₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of g₇, g₈, a₉, ti₀, rπ, t_12j a₂₃, g24, a₂₅, t₂₆, n₂₇ n₂₈ n₂₉ n₃₀ ,w₃₁ W₃₂ and S₃₃ have at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 7.

[0065] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (8):

(8) 5 ' - Si^nsOO^AvGsGgAiodndodisdMdisdicidndisdi./IV)

C_2lC₂₂A₂₃T₂₄A₂₅T₂₆T₂₇A₂₈G₂₉n₃on₃in₃₂n₃₃S₃₄ — 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "D" can be a A, T or G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (8) has at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 8. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to SRF transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to SRF transcription factor, such as ETS 1.

[0066] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (8) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of d_11; d_12; di_3; d_14; di_5; d_16, d_17; d₁₈ and di₉. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of d_11; d₁₂, d₁₃, d_14; du, di₆, d_17; d₁₈ and dig have at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 8.

[0067] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (9):

(9) 5' - Si^nsrLtnsCβT'jAsWgAwMπW^ToAMA^n^nπn^n^c^...

.._.I_2IA₂₂W₂₃A₂₄A₂₅A₂₆T₂₇A₂₈A₂₉A₃₀A_3In₃₂U₃₃U₃₄S₃₅ - 3' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or an T, "M" can be a C or an A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (9) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 9. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to MEF2A transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to MEF2A transcription factor, such as MEF2B-C.

[0068] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (9) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n^, n_17j nig, n^ c₂o andt₂i. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n^n^n^n^, c₂o andt₂ihave at least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 9.

[0069] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (10):

(10) 5' - nln2n3n4R₅R₆G7S8C9SloKllrl2rl3nl4nl₅nl₆rl7rl₈Gl9S₂o...

...C2lK₂2R₂3R24N25n26n27n28n₂9n30 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "K" can be a T or a G, "R" can be a G or an A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (10) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 10. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to SPl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to SPl transcription factor, such as SP2-8.

[0070] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (10) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of r_12j r_13j n_14j nis, n_16j r₁₇, andrig. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n^n^n^n^ c₂o andt₂ihave at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 10.

[0071] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (11):

(1 1) 5 ' - UIn₂U₃OaI₅G₆G₇C₈G₉GIOGIIGI₂Si₃S₁₄Si₅Si₆Si₇Si₈Si₉S₂O

S₂IS₂₂S₂₃C₂₄G₂₅G₂₆G₂₇C₂₈G₂₉G_3OT₃IT₃₂T₃₃A₃₄C₃₅ — 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (11) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 11. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to SPl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to SPl transcription factor, such as SP2-8.

[0072] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (11) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 7, 8, 9 10 or 11) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₁₃, s_14; S₁₅, Si₆, s_17; S₁₈, Si₉, S₂₀, s_21; S₂₂, and S₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of s_13; s_14; s_15; S₁₆, s_17; s_18; s_19; S_20, s_21; S₂₂, and S₂₃ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 11. [0073] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (12):

(12) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅W6G₇Y8G9Giotiidi2di3di4di₅gi6Wi7Gi8Yi9G2o...

...G2lT22D23D24D₂₅D26n27n28S29 ^~ 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, Y can be a C or a T, "D" can be a A, T or a G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (12) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 12. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to RUNXl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to RUNXl transcription factor, such as RUNX2-3.

[0074] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (12) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of tπ, hi₂, h^, h^ h_15j and g₁₆. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of t_n, h_12j h₁₃, h_14j h_15i and g₁₆ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 12.

[0075] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (13):

(13) 5' - S ^n₃U₄H₅T₆T₇G₈G₉G₁₀G₁ ^₁₂C₁₃A₁₄T₁₅ A₁₆n₁₇n₁₈n₁₉n₂₀

C2_lA₂2C2₃A24G25G2₆A27A2₈C2₉C_3θA₃iC₃2A₃₃n₃4n₃₅S₃₆ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (13) has at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 13. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to RUNXl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to RUNXl transcription factor, such as RUNX2-3.

[0076] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (13) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or 4) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_17; n_18; n_w andn₂o. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_17; n_18; n^ and n₂o have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 13.

[0077] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (14):

(14) 5 ' - Sin2n3ii4n5n6C7H8G9GioAiiHi2Ri3yi4ni5ni6ni7Ci8Ci9G2o

G_2lA₂₂H₂₃R₂₄Y₂₅n₂₆n₂₇n₂₈n₂₉n₃₀Ϊl3lS32 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "R" can be G or A, "H" can be A₅T or C, "Y" can be a C or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (14) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 14. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ETSl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ETSl transcription factor, such as ELKl. [0078] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (14) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y_14; n_15; n₁₆, n₁₇ and C₁₈. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y_14; n^ n^, n₁₇ and C₁₈ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 14.

[0079] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (15):

(15) 5 ' - S₁^n₃M₄ W₅W6G7G8A₉A₁oA₁₁A₁2n₁3n₁4d₁₅w₁6W₁7gi8gi9a2o... ...a₂₁a₂₂a₂₃n₂₄n₂₅d₂₆W₂₇G₂₈G₂₉A₃₀A₃₁A₃₂A₃₃n₃4n35n36n3₇n₃₈n₃₉S₄₀ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "D" can be a A,G or a T, "W" can be a A or a T, "M" can be C or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (15) has at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 15. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to NFATCl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to NFATCl transcription factor, such as NFATC2-4.

[0080] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (15) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_13j n_14j d_15j W₁₆, W₁₇, g₁₈, gi9, a2o, a_21j a₂2, a₂3, n₂4, n₂s, d26 and W27. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_13j n₁₄, d₁₅, W₁₆, W₁₇, g₁₈, gw, a₂o, a₂₁, a₂₂, a₂₃, n₂₄, n₂₅, d₂₆ and W₂₇ have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 15.

[0081] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (16): (16) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅n6C7A₈C9TioTiiCi2Ci3yi4Vi5mi6ni7ni8ni9y2o...

...V_2lC₂₂T₂₃T₂₄C₂₅C₂₆T₂₇G₂₈C₂₉n₃₀n₃in₃₂S₃₃ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "V" can be G,A or C, "M" can be C or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (16) has at least about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 16. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ELKl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ELKl transcription factor, such as ETSl.

[0082] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (16) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y_14j v_15j mi6, n_17j n^, n^ V20 and V₂₁. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y_14j v_15j Hi₁₆, n_17j n^, n^ V20 and V₂₁ have at least 55% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 16.

[0083] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (17):

(17) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅n6C7T₈A9TioAiiAi2Ai3Ti4gi5gi6Ci7Ci8ti9A2o...

...T2lA₂₂A23A24T25G26g27g28g29g30g3lg32S33 ^~ 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (17) has at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 17. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ternary complex factors. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ternary complex factors, such as SRF.

[0084] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (17) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of gis, g_16j c_17j C₁₈ andti₉. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of g₁₅, gi6, C₁₇, C₁₈ andti₉ have at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 17.

[0085] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (18):

(18) 5 ' - SIn₂USn₄USn₆U₇ W₈ W9CloGllCl2Gl3Gl4Wl₅Wl6gl7gl8Wl9W2o... ... W₂₁C₂₂C₂₃G₂₄G₂₅ W₂6W₂₇n₂₈n₂9n₃₀n₃₁n₃₂S₃₃ - 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can a A or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (18) has at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 18. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to STATl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to STATl transcription factor, such as STAT2-6.

[0086] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (18) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₅, Wi₆, g₁₇, g₁₈, w^, w₂o and W₂₁. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of w₁₅, Wi₆, g₁₇, gis, W19, w₂o and W₂₁ have at least 90% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 18.

[0087] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (19):

(19) 5 ' - Sln2n3n4T₅G6C7C8T9TloAllTl2Cl3Tl4Cl₅tl6nl7nl8gl9g2o...

...G^2lA²²T²³A²⁴A²⁵S²⁶n²⁷n²⁸n²⁹n^3θS^{31 ~} ^ ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (19) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 19. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to

GATAl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to GATAl transcription factor, such as GATA2-4.

[0088] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (19) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of c_15j 1^n₁₇₁ n^, gi₉ and g₂o. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of C₁₅, t^, n₁₇, n^, gi9 and g₂o have at least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 19.

[0089] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (20):

(20) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅n6T₇G8A9AioTiiWi2Wi3gi4ai5gi6gi7ai8ai9a2o...

...a₂1 W22W23G24C25 A26T27G28C29n30ll31 S32 - 3 ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can a A or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (20) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 20. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ELFl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ELFl transcription factor, such as POUlFl.

[0090] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (20) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of w₁₂, W₁₃, g₁₄, a_15j gi₆, g₁₇, a_18j a^, a₂o, a_21, W₂₂ and W₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of w_12jw_13j g_14j a_15j gi6, gπ, a_18j ai9, a₂o, a_21j W₂₂ and W23 have a t least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 20.

[0091] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (21):

(21) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅G6A7G8A9TioTiiki2Ci3ai4Ci₅ni₆ni7ni8gi9a2o...

...g₂ia₂₂t₂₃T₂₄K₂₅C₂₆A₂₇C₂₈n₂₉n₃on₃in₃₂S₃₃ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "K" can be a G or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (21) has at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 21. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to "nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a" transcription factors. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to "nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a" transcription factors, such as "nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage b-c".

[0092] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (21) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k₁₂, c_13j a_14j c_15j n^, n_17j n₁₈, gis>, a₂o, g₂i, a₂₂ and t₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k_12j c₁₃, a_14j C₁₅, ni₆, n₁₇, n₁₈, gi9, ^a2o, g2i, a₂₂ and t₂₃ have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 21.

[0093] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (22):

(22) 5' - Sin₂n3n4n₅K6C7M₈T9WioAiiWi₂ti3ri4mi₅wi6ni7ri8mi9W₂o...

...K_2lC₂₂M₂₃T₂₄W₂₅A₂₆W₂₇T₂₈n₂₉n3on3_lS3₂ - 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can a A or a T, "K" can be a G or a T, "M" can be a A or a C, "R" can be a A or a G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (22) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 22. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to POU4F1 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to POU4F1 transcription factor, such as POU4F2-3.

[0094] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (22) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of t_13j r_14j mi₅, W₁₆, n_17j rig, m^ and w₂o. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of t_13j r_14j m_15j W₁₆, n_17j rig, m^ and w₂o have at least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 22.

[0095] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (23):

...1I_2Ih₂₂H₂₃Y₂₄A₂₅A₂₆D₂₇N₂₈D₂₉T₃₀W₃₁ V₃₂M₃₃t₃₄g₃₅c₃₆ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "V" can be G,A or C, "K" can be T or G, "D" can be G, A or T, "H" can be A, T or C, "W" can be A or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (23) has at least about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 23. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to HNFlA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to HNFlA transcription factor, such as HNFlB-C.

[0096] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (23) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of h_15j hi₆, h_17j nig, n^ n₂o, h₂₁ and h₂₂. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of h_15j hi₆, h_17j nig, n^ n₂o, h₂₁ and h₂₂ have at least 55% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 23.

[0097] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (24): (24) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅A6A7T8A9Aiotiini2ni3ai4ti₅Ti₆Ai₇Ti8Ti9W2o...

...W2in22n₂₃n₂₄S₂₅ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (24) has at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 24. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ZFHX3 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ZFHX3 transcription factor, such as ZFHX-2, -4.

[0098] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (24) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of tπ, n₁₂, n^, a₁₄ and t₁₅. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of tπ, n_12j n₁₃, a₁₄ and t₁₅ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 24.

[0099] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (25):

(25) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4S5D₆H7W8M9SioHi₁ki2Wi3Wi4mi₅ci6Si7Si8di9h2o...

...W₂im₂₂S₂₃h₂₄K₂₅W₂₆W₂₇M₂₈C₂₉S₃₀tl₃in₃₂n₃₃n₃₄S₃₅ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or T, "D" can be A, G or T, "H" can be A, C or T, "M" can be A or C, "K" can be G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (25) has at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 25. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to IRFl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to IRFl transcription factor, such as IRF2.

[0100] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (25) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k_12j w₁₃, w₁₄,m_15j C₁₆, S₁₇, S₁₈, dig, h₂o, W₂1, m₂₂, s₂3 and h₂₄. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k₁₂, w₁₃, Wi₄, mis_, Ci₆, Si₇, Sis, dig, h₂₀, w₂i, m₂₂, S₂₃ and h₂₄ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 25.

[0101] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (26):

(26) 5 ' - Sin₂n₃n₄y₅k₆g₇y₈k₉GioA₁₁Ai2yi3hi4bi₅bi₆n₁₇n₁₈n₁₉y₂o h_2lb₂₂b₂₃k₂₄G₂₅A₂₆A₂₇T₂₈A₂₉T_3θC₃in₃₂n₃₃S₃₄ — 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "V" can be G ,A or C, "K" can be T or G, "D" can be G, A or T, "H" can be A, T or G, "B" can be C, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (26) has at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 26. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to TEADl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to TEADl transcription factor, such as TEAD2-4. [0102] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (26) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y^h^bu, I)₁^n₁₇, n^ n^y^h^b^, b₂₃ andk₂₄. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yπ, hi_4; bis, bi6, n_17; n_18; n^, y2o, h_21; b_22, b₂₃ and k₂₄ have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 26.

[0103] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (27):

(27) 5' - S₁n₂n₃n4T₅A6T₇A₈W9W₁ow₁₁n₁₂n₁₃d₁₄n₁₅t₁6a₁₇t₁₈A₁9W₂o... ...W_2lW₂₂n₂₃n₂₄W₂₅W₂₆T₂₇A₂₈A₂₉D_3θW₃in₃₂n33n3₄n3₅n₃₆S₃₇ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "D" can be a A, G or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (27) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 27. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to TBP transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to TBP transcription factor, such as TBPL 1-2.

[0104] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (27) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of w_1Oj W₁₁, n_12j n_13j d_14j n_15j ti₆, a_17j t₁₈, w_21jw_22jn_23jn₂₄, andw25. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₀, W₁₁, n₁₂, n₁₃, di4, n₁₅, ti6, an, tig, W₂₁, W22, n23, n24, and W25 have a t least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 27.

[0105] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (28): (28) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4T₅A6T7A₈A9WioWiini2ni3ni4ni₅wi6Wi7Wi8Ai9A2o...

...W2lW22k23n24n25n26n27n28S29 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "K" can be a G or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (28) has at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 28. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to TBP transcription factors. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to TBP transcription factors, such as TBPL 1-2.

[0106] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (28) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of ni2, ni_3i n_14j nis, W₁₆, W₁₇ and W₁₈. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_12j n_13j n_14j n_15j W₁₆, W₁₇ and W₁₈ have at least 65% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 28.

[0107] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (29):

(29) 5 ' - Nln₂n3C4T₅G6M₇K₈Y9KloKllYl2tl3ml4bl₅yl₆Cl₇Al₈Al9T2o...

...S2ld22n23n₂₄n₂₅S₂₆ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "M" can be a A or a C, "K" can be a G or a T, "Y" can be a C or a T, "B" can be a C, G or T, "D" can be a A, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (29) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 29. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to NFYA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to NFYA transcription factor, such as NFYB-C.

[0108] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (29) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or 4) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of t_13j m^ bis and y₁₆. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of t_13j mi₄, bis and yi₆ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 29.

[0109] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (30):

(30) 5 ' - SIn₂U₃T₄C₅T₆C₇ Y8G9AloTllTl₂Gl3Gl4Yl5yl6hl7yl8bl9n2o...

...n2ln22y23y24h25h26V27G28A29T3oT3lG32G33Y34T35C36B37Y3₈n39S4O - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "H" can be A, T or C, "B" can be C, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (30) has at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 30. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to NFYA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to NFYA transcription factor, such as NFYB-C.

[0110] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (30) comprises a deletion of one or more {e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yi₆, h_17j y_18j bi9, n2o, n_21j n22, V23, V24, h₂s, 1126 and V27. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yi₆, h_17j y_18j bi9, n₂o, n₂i, n₂₂, y23, y₂4, h₂5, h₂6 and V₂₇ have at least 50% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 30.

[0111] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (31):

(31) 5 ' - Sin2n3C4A₅C₆C7C8S9aioSllSl2Sl3Wl4Sl5Sl6Sl7Wl8Cl9A2O...

...C₂IC₂₂C₂Sa₂₄U₂Sn₂On₂₇S₂S - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (31) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 31. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to CACCC-box binding factors.

[0112] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (31) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₉, ai₀, S₁₁, Si₂, s_13j w_14j s_15j Si₆, Si₇ and w₁₈. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S9, a_1Oj S₁₁, Si₂, S₁₃, w_14j S₁₅, S₁₆, Si₇ and w₁₈ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 31.

[0113] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (32):

(32) 5 ' - Sin2n3C4C5T6W₇T₈G9CioCiiTi2yi3yi4yi5yi6yi7ni8ni9n2o...

...y_2ly₂₂y₂₃y₂₄y₂₅G26C2₇C28T₂₉C₃oC_{3 l}T₃₂W33S34ll35ll36S₃₇ - 3 ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "W" can be A or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (32) has at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 32. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to KLF4 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to KLF4 transcription factor, such as KLF-I, -5.

[0114] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (32) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of y₁₃, y₁₄, y₁₅, yi₆, y₁₇, n_18j n^, n₂o, y₂₁, Y₂₂,Y₂₃,Y24 andy25. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yi3,yi4,yi5,yi6,yi7,ni8, ni9, n₂o, y₂₁, V22, V23, V24 andv25 have at least 50% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 32.

[0115] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (33):

(33) 5 ' - Sin2n3n₄W5W6W₇G8G9GioWiidi2gi3ni4ni5Wi6Wi7Wi8Gi9G2o...

...G_2lW₂₂D₂₃G₂₄n₂₅n₂₆n₂₇n₂₈S₂₉ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "D" can be a A, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (33) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 33. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to KLF7 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to KLF7 transcription factor, such as KLF-I, -2, and -5.

[0116] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (33) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₁, dn, g₁₃, n₁₄, nis, W₁₆, W₁₇ and w₁₈. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₁, d₁₂, g₁₃, n₁₄, n₁₅, W₁₆, W₁₇ and w₁₈ have at least 75 % identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO .: 33.

[0117] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (34):

(34) 5 ' - SlW₂W₃ W4W5W6C₇A8C9TloCllAl2Gl3Cl4Wl₅Wl6Wl₇Wl8Cl9g2O...

...g2_lW₂₂g₂₃W₂₄G₂5G26G2₇W28W₂₉g₃₀W_{3 l}W₃2W33W34W35S₃₆ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (34) has at least about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 34. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to MAFG transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to MAFG transcription factor, such as MAF-A, -B, -F, -K.

[0118] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (34) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₅, W₁₆, W₁₇, W₁₈, C₁C,, g2o, g₂₁, W22, g23 and W₂₄. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of W₁₅, W₁₆, W₁₇, W₁₈, Ci₉, g₂o, g2i, W22, g₂₃ and W₂₄ have at least 55% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 34.

[0119] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (35): (35) 5' - SIn₂U₃W₄B₅Y₆A₇G₈Y₉AIOCIICI₂DI₃Ni₄Ri₅Gi₆Hi₇Si₈Ai₉G₂O...

...C2lN22N23H24n₂₅n26n27W28B29Y3θA3iG32Y33A34C3sC36D37N38R3₉G4O... ...H₄iS42A43G44C4₅N4₆N47H₄₈n4₉n₅oS₅l - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, Y can be a C or a T, "H" can be a A, T or a C, "R" can be G or A, "D" can be G, A or T, "Y" can be C or T, "B" can be C,G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (35) has at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 35. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to REST transcription factor.

[0120] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (35) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2 or 3) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n₂₅, n₂₆ andn₂₇. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n₂₅, n₂₆ and n₂₇ have at least 50% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 35.

[0121] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (36):

(36) 5 ' - Sin₂n₃ii4n₅G6A7R8M9AioWiiki2Si3ai4gi₅ki₆ni7ni8ni9n2o g21^a22r23ni₂4A2₅W26K27S28A₂9G3θK3in32n33n34n3₅S36 — 3 ' wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "M" can be A or C, "R" can be A or G, "K" can be G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (36) has at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 36. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to KCNIP3 transcription factor.

[0122] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (36) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k_12; Si3_; ai4_; gi_5;ki6,ni7_; ni₈, ni9, n₂₀, g₂i_, a₂₂, T23 and m₂4. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of k_12; S_13, a_14; g_15; k_16, n_17; n_18; ni9, n₂o, g2i, a_22; r₂3 and m₂₄have at least 60% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 36.

[0123] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (37):

(37) 5' - Sin₂n3n4n5G₆A₇R₈G₉CioCiiSi₂Si3Wi4gi5Wi₆n₁₇n₁₈n₁₉n₂o g₂ia₂₂r₂₃G₂₄C₂₅C₂₆S₂₇S₂sW₂₉G₃oW₃in₃₂n₃₃n₃₄S₃₅ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "M" can be A or C, "R" can be A or G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (37) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 37. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to KCNIP3 transcription factor.

[0124] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (37) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₁₃, w₁₄, gis, wi6, n_17; n_18; n^ n₂o, g₂i, a₂2 and r₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of s_13; w₁₄, gis, wi6, n_17; n_18; n_1; n₂o, g₂₁, a₂₂ and r₂₃ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 37.

[0125] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (38):

(38) 5 ' - SiC₂G3A4A₅A6G7G8A9CioA₁iAi₂Ai3Si4Si5ni6Vi7Vi8ni9n₂o n2_lS2₂g₂₃d₂4n₂5n₂₆G₂7G₂₈A₂₉C₃θA₃₁A₃₂A₃₃G₃4G₃5T₃₆C₃7A₃₈S₃₉ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "V" can be A, C or G, "D" can be G, A or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (38) has at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 38. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to PPARA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to PPARA transcription factor, such as PPAR-D, -G.

[0126] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (38) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of s_14; S₁₅, n^, v_17; v_18; n_19; n₂₀, n_21; S₂₂ and g₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of s_14; S_1S, n₁₆, v_17; Vi₈, n_19, n_20; n_21; S₂₂ and g₂₃ have at least 50% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 38. [0127] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (39):

(39) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4A₅R6M7R8W9WioyiiWi2mi3gi4ni₅ni₆ai7ri8mi9r2o...

...W_2lW₂₂y₂₃W₂₄M₂₅G₂₆A₂₇A₂₈T₂₉T₃on₃in₃₂n₃₃n₃₄S₃₅ - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "R" can be A or G, "M" can be a A or a C, "Y" can be a C or a T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (39) has at least about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 39. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to HSFl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to HSFl transcription factor, such as HSF2.

[0128] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (39) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yn, W₁₂, mi₃, g₁₄, n₁₅, ni₆, an, r₁₈, nii_9, r₂o, W_2I, w₂₂ and y₂₃. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of yn, w_lj2 m₁₃, g₁₄ n₁₅, ni6, a₁₇, rig, m^ r2o, W₂₁, W22 and V23 have at least 55% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 39.

[0129] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (47):

(47) 5 ' - Sin2n3n4n₅n6C7A₈C9TioTiiCi2Ci3Ti4Gi₅Ci6ni7ni8ni9n2on2iS22 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (47) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 47. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to ELKl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to ELKl transcription factor, such as ETSl.

[0130] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (47) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2j n_3i n₄, n_5i n_6i n_17j n₁₈, n_19j n₂o and n₂₁. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2j n_3j H₄, n_5j n₆, n_17j nig, n_19j n₂o and n₂₁ have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 47.

[0131] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (48):

(48) 5' - Sin2n3n4n₅n6A7G8K₉YioAiiAi2Di3Ni4Di₅Ti6Wi7Vi8Mi9N₂o...

...n₂in22n23n24n2₅S26 - 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "V" can be G, A or C, "K" can be T or G, "D" can be G, A or T, "W" can be A or T, "M" can be C or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (48) has at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 48. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to HNFlA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to HNFlA transcription factor, such as HNFlB-C.

[0132] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (48) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n₂, n_3j n₄, ns, n₆, n₂i, n₂₂, n₂3, n₂₄ andn₂s. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2i n_3j n₄, ns, n₆, n₂i, n_22i n₂₃, n₂₄ andn₂s have at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 48.

[0133] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (49) :

(49) 5' - Sin2n3T4C₅T6C7Y8G9AioTiiTi2G₁3Gi4Yi5Ti6Ci7Bi₈Yi9n2oS₂₁ - 3'

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "B" can be C, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (49) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 49. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to NFYA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to NFYA transcription factor, such as NFYB-C.

[0134] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (49) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2 or 3) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2in3 andn₂o. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2i n3 andn₂o have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 49. [0135] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (50):

(50) 5 ' - Sin₂n3n4n₅n₆C7C₈T9WioTiiGi₂Ci3Ci4Ti₅Ci₆Ci7Ti₈Wi9S₂o...

...r₂ir₂₂n₂3n₂₄n₂₅S₂6 - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be A or T, "R" can be G or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (50) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 50. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to KLF4 transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to KLF4 transcription factor, such as KLF-I, -5.

[0136] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (50) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2i n₃, n₄, ns, n₆, r_21j r_22i n₂₃, n₂₄ andn₂s. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2i n_3i n₄, n_5i n₆, r_21j r_22i n_23i n₂₄ and n₂₅ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 50.

[0137] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (51):

(51) 5' - S_In_2nSn_4nSW₆B₇Y₈A₉G_IOY_{I I}Ai₂Ci₃Ci₄D₁₅Ni₆Ri₇Gi₈H₁₉S₂O...

...A₂iG₂₂C₂₃N₂₄N₂₅H₂₆n₂₇n₂₈n₂₉n₃oS₃i - 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be a A or a T, "H" can be a A, T or a C, "R" can be G or A, "D" can be G, A or T, "Y" can be C or T, "B" can be C, G or T, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (51) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 51. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to REST transcription factor.

[0138] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (51) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n₂, n₃, n₄, ns, n₂₇, n₂s, n₂g and n3o. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of n_2i n_3i n_4i n_5i n_27i n₂₈, n₂₉ and n₃₀ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. : 51.

[0139] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double - stranded sequence represented by formula (52):

(52) 5 ' - S₁m2r3m4W5A₆G7G8N9C₁oAiiA₁2Ai3G₁4Gi5Ti6C₁₇Ai8ii₁9n2o...

- 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "W" can be A or T, "R" can be G or A, "M" can be C or A, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (52) has at least about 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 52. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to PPARA transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to PPARA transcription factor, such as PPAR-D, -G.

[0140] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (52) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of m₂, r_3j Hi₄, n^, n₂o, n₂i, n₂₂ and g23. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of m₂, r_3j m₄, n^, n₂o, n₂₁, n₂₂ and g23h have at least 80% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 52.

[0141] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy comprises a double- stranded sequence represented by formula (53):

(53) 5 ' - SlS2C3t4t5g6y7k8g9yiθkllGi2Ai3Ai4Ti5Ai₆T₁₇Ci8gl9n2O

11211122112₃1124S25 — 3 '

wherein "A" is an adenine nucleotide, "C" is a cytosine nucleotide, "G" is a guanine nucleotide, "T" is a thymine nucleotide, "S" can be a G or C nucleotide, "N" can be any nucleotide, "Y" can be T or C, "K" can be T or G, lower case letters can optionally be deleted, and the numbers in subscript represent the position of a nucleotide in the sequence. Although the formula shows a single strand, it should be understood that a complementary strand is included as part of the structure. In preferred embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy having a sequence represented by formula (53) has at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 53. Such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to TEADl transcription factor. In certain embodiments, such oligonucleotide decoys can bind to one or more transcription factors closely related to TEADl transcription factor, such as TEAD2-4.

[0142] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy represented by formula (53) comprises a deletion of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17) nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₂, C3, t₄, ts, g6,y7, kg, g9, yio, kii, Ci8, gw, n₂o, n_21; n₂2, n₂3 and n₂₄. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys comprising a deletion of one or more nucleotides selected from the group consisting of S₂, C₃, t₄, t₅, g6, y₇, kg, g9, yio, kπ, C₁₈, gi9, n₂o, n_21; n₂2, n₂3 and n₂₄ have at least 75% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 53.

[0143] A double stranded oligonucleotide having a certain percent (e.g., 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%) of sequence identity with another sequence means that, when aligned, that percentage determines the level of correspondence of bases arrangement in comparing the two sequences. This alignment and the percent homology or identity can be determined using any suitable software program known in the art that allows local alignment. The software program should be capable of finding regions of local identity between two sequences without the need to include the entire length of the sequences. In some embodiments, such program includes but is not limited to the EMBOSS Pairwise Alignment Algorithm (available from the European

Bioinformatics Institute (EBI)), the ClustalW program (also available from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI)), or the BLAST program (BLAST Manual, Altschul et ah, Natl Cent. Biotechnol. Inf., Natl Lib. Med. (NCIB NLM NIH), Bethesda, Md., and Altschul et ah, (1997) NAR 25:3389 3402).

[0144] One skilled in the art will recognize that sequences encompassed by the invention include those that hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions with an exemplified sequence {e.g., SEQ ID NOs.: 1-42, 45, and 47-53). A nucleic acid is hybridizable to another nucleic acid when a single stranded form of the nucleic acid can anneal to the other single stranded nucleic acid under appropriate conditions of temperature and solution ionic strength. Hybridization conditions are well known in the art. In some embodiments, annealing may occur during a slow decrease of temperature from a denaturizing temperature {e.g., 100 ⁰C) to room temperature in a salt containing solvent {e.g., Tris-EDTA buffer).

[0145] Generally, the oligonucleotide decoys disclosed herein may be used to bind and, e.g. , thereby inhibit, transcription factors that modulate the expression of genes involved nociceptive signaling and/or a subject's {e.g., patient's) perception of pain. A oligonucleotide decoy disclosed herein designed to bind to a specific transcription factor has a nucleic acid sequence mimicking the endogenous genomics DNA sequence normally bound by the transcription factor. Accordingly, the oligonucleotide decoys disclosed herein inhibit a necessary step for gene expression. Further, the oligonucleotide decoys disclosed herein may bind to a number of different transcription factors.

[0146] The oligonucleotide decoys disclosed herein may be chemically modified by methods well known to the skilled artisan {e.g. , incorporation of phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoramidates, carbonate, thioether, siloxane, acetamidate or carboxymethyl ester linkages between nucleotides) to prevent degradation by nucleases within cells and extra-cellular fluids {e.g., serum, cerebrospinal fluid). Also, oligonucleotide decoys may be designed that form hairpin and dumbbell structures which also prevent or hinder nuclease degradation. Further, the oligonucleotide decoys may also be inserted as a portion of a larger plasmid capable of episomal maintenance or constitutive replication in the target cell in order to provide longer term, enhanced intracellular exposure to the decoy sequence and/or reduce its degradation. Accordingly, any chemical modification or structural alteration known in the art to enhance oligonucleotide stability is within the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys disclosed herein may be attached, for example, to polyethylene glycol polymers, peptides (e.g., a protein translocation domain) or proteins which improve the therapeutic effect of oligonucleotide decoys. Such modified oligonucleotide decoys may preferentially traverse the cell membrane.

[0147] In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys are provided as salts, hydrates, solvates, or N-oxide derivatives. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys are provided in solution (e.g. , a saline solution having a physiologic pH) or in lyophilzed form. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys are provided in liposomes.

[0148] In certain embodiments, one or more oligonucleotide decoys are provided in a kit. In certain embodiments, the kit includes an instruction, e.g. , for using said one or more oligonucleotide decoys. In certain embodiments, said instruction describes one or more of the methods of the present invention, e.g., a method for preventing or treating pain, a method of modulating gene expression in a cell, a method for modulating nociceptive signaling in a cell, a method for modulating protein degradation in a cell, etc. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys provided in a kit are provided in lyophilized form. In certain related embodiments, a kit that comprises one or more lyophilized oligonucleotide decoys further comprises a solution (e.g. , a pharamaceutically acceptable saline solution) that can be used to resuspend said one or more of the oligonucleotide decoys.

[0149] The double stranded oligonucleotides described herein may be made by conventional methods known in the art and thus are well within the ambit of the skilled artisan. Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0150] The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein comprise a therapeutically effective amount of one or more oligonucleotide decoys, preferably, in purified form, together with a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, so as to provide a form for proper administration to a patient. When administered to a patient, oligonucleotide decoys and pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles are preferably sterile. Water is a preferred vehicle when oligonucleotide decoys are administered intravenously. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be employed as liquid vehicles, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical vehicles include excipients such as starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like. The present pharmaceutical compositions, if desired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents. In addition, auxiliary, stabilizing, thickening, lubricating and coloring agents may be used.

[0151] Pharmaceutical compositions may be manufactured by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes. Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients or auxiliaries, which facilitate processing of compounds disclosed herein into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen.

[0152] The present pharmaceutical compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsions, tablets, pills, pellets, capsules, capsules containing liquids, powders, sustained-release formulations, suppositories, aerosols, sprays, suspensions, or any other form suitable for use. Other examples of suitable pharmaceutical vehicles have been described in the art (see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, 19th Edition, 1995).

[0153] Pharmaceutical compositions for oral delivery may be in the form of tablets, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, granules, powders, emulsions, capsules, syrups, or elixirs, for example. Orally administered compositions may contain one or more optional agents, for example, sweetening agents such as fructose, aspartame or saccharin, flavoring agents such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry coloring agents and preserving agents, to provide a pharmaceutically palatable preparation. Moreover, when in tablet or pill form, the compositions may be coated to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby providing a sustained action over an extended period of time. Oral compositions can include standard vehicles such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. Such vehicles are preferably of pharmaceutical grade.

[0154] For oral liquid preparations such as, for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions, suitable carriers, excipients or diluents include water, saline, alkyleneglycols {e.g., propylene glycol), polyalkylene glycols {e.g., polyethylene glycol), oils, alcohols, slightly acidic buffers between pH 4 and pH 6 {e.g., acetate, citrate, or ascorbate at between about 5 mM to about 50 mM), etc. Additionally, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents, bile salts, acylcarnitines and the like may be added.

[0155] Compositions for administration via other routes may also be contemplated. For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets, lozenges, etc. , formulated in conventional manner. Liquid drug formulations suitable for use with nebulizers and liquid spray devices and EHD aerosol devices will typically include a compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is a liquid such as alcohol, water, polyethylene glycol or a perfluorocarbon. Optionally, another material may be added to alter the aerosol properties of the solution or suspension of compounds. Preferably, this material is liquid such as an alcohol, glycol, polyglycol or a fatty acid. Other methods of formulating liquid drug solutions or suspension suitable for use in aerosol devices are known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., Biesalski, United States Patent No. 5,112,598; Biesalski, United States Patent No. 5,556,611). A compound may also be formulated in rectal or vaginal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g. , containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides. In addition to the formulations described previously, a compound may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, a compound may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example, as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

[0156] An oligonucleotide decoy may be included in any of the above- described formulations, or in any other suitable formulation, as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate or hydrate. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts substantially retain the activity of the parent compound and may be prepared by reaction with appropriate bases or acids and tend to be more soluble in aqueous and other protic solvents than the corresponding parent form.

Therapeutic Uses [0157] In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy and/or pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered to a patient, such as an amimal (e.g., a bird, mammal, primate, or human), suffering from pain including, but not limited to, mechanical pain (e.g., mechanical hyperalgesia and/or allodynia), chemical pain, temperature pain, chronic pain, sub-chronic pain, acute pain, sub-acute pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, muscular pain, skeletal pain, post-surgery pain, arthritis pain, and diabetes pain. Further, in certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof are administered to a patient, such as an animal, as a preventative measure against pain including, but not limited to, postoperative pain, chronic pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, muscular pain, and skeletal pain. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoys and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be used for the prevention of one facet of pain while concurrently treating another symptom of pain.

[0158] Thus, in certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of treating pain in a patient comprising administering to a patient suffering from pain a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy described herein. In related embodiments, methods of preventing pain in a patient are provided. Such methods comprise administering to a patient in need thereof (e.g., a patient likely to develop pain, e.g., post-operative pain) a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy described herein. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide decoy is administered perineurally, epidurally/peridurally, intrathecally, or intradermally. [0159] In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for treating or preventing pain in a patient comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy, wherein the oligonucleotide decoy does not bind to the transcription factors API, ETSl and STAT. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for treating or preventing pain in a patient comprising administering to the patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more oligonucleotide decoys, wherein the oligonucleotide decoys bind to one or more transcription factors selected from the group consisting of API, ETSl, GATA and STAT transcription factors, provided that the pain is not lower back pain due to an intervertebral disc disorder.

[0160] In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for modulating transcription of a gene present in a cell involved in nociceptive signaling and/or the perception of pain in a patient. In certain embodiments, modulation comprises suppressing or repressing gene expression. In other embodiments, modulation comprises stabilizing gene expression. In still other embodiments, modulation comprises activating or inducing gene expression. In certain embodiments, the gene is involved in nociceptive signaling. Genes involved in nociceptive signaling include, but are not limited to, genes encoding membrane proteins (e.g., ion channels, membrane receptors, etc.), soluble signaling molecules (e.g., intracellular signaling molecules or neurotransmitters), synthetic enzymes (e.g., neurotransmitter synthesis enzymes), and transcription factors. Specific examples of such genes include, but are not limited to, BDKRB2, HTR3A, SCN9A, BDNF, GRM5, NOSl, GCHl, CDK5R1, CACNAlB, P2XR3 and PNMT.

[0161] In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for modulating nociceptive signaling in a cell. In certain embodiments, modulation comprises suppressing or repressing nociceptive signaling. In certain embodiments, modulating nociceptive signaling in a cell comprises modulating, e.g., increasing, proteolysis of a protein involved in nociceptive signaling in said cell. For instance, abnormally high proteasome activity has been linked to strong deficits of neuronal plasticity (i.e., a major cellular feature of pain). EGRl is known to repress the expression of selected proteasome factors, thus limiting EGRl -dependent nociceptive signaling activity is relevant for treating pain. Further, neutrophines activate specific receptors in pain neurons that trigger nociceptive signalings. USF factors activate the expression of CGRP and Substance P, two major neurotrophins capable of inducing pain. Inhibiting USF factors is a potential approach to inhibit nociceptive signaling. In certain embodiments, modulation comprises activation of an inhibitor of nociceptive signaling.

[0162] In still other embodiments, the invention provided methods for modulating, e.g., increasing, proteolytic degradation of a protein involved in nociceptive signaling in a cell. In certain embodiments, modulation of protein degradation comprises stimulating proteosome function. In certain embodiments, the protein is involved in nociceptive signaling. Proteins involved in nociceptive signaling include, but are not limited to membrane proteins (e.g., ion channels, membrane receptors, etc.), soluble signaling molecules (e.g., intracellular signaling molecules or neurotransmitters), synthetic enzymes (e.g., neurotransmitter synthesis enzymes), and transcription factors. Specific examples of such proteins include, but are not limited to, BDKRB2, HTR3A, SCN9A, BDNF, GRM5, NOSl, GCHl, CDK5R1, CACNAlB, P2XR3 and PNMT.

[0163] In certain embodiments, the cell of the various methods is provided in vzVo (e.g., in a patient suffering from pain or likely to suffer from pain). A cell provided in vivo can be located in different locations including, but not limited to, a dorsal root ganglia and/or the spinal cord. In other embodiments, the cell of the various methods is provided in vitro (e.g., in a petri dish). The cell can be any cell involved in nociceptive signaling, including, but not limited to, a neuron (e.g., a pain neuron from dorsal root ganglia and/or the spinal cord or from the sympathetic nervous system), a glial cell, a tissue supportive cell (e.g., fibroblast), an immune cell, or a cell from a cell line (e.g., a PC12 cell).

Methods of Administration and Dosage

[0164] The present methods for treatment or prevention of pain require administration of a oligonucleotide decoys, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof, to a patient in need of such treatment or prevention. The compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be administered by any convenient route, for example, by infusion or bolus injection, by absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings (e.g., oral mucosa, rectal and intestinal mucosa, etc.), or orally. Administration can be systemic or local. Various delivery systems are known, including, e.g., encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, microcapsules, capsules, etc., that can be used to administer a compound and/or pharmaceutical composition thereof. Methods of administration include, but are not limited to, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural/peridural, oral, sublingual, intranasal, intracerebral, intravaginal, transdermal, rectally, by inhalation or topically, particularly to the ears, nose, eyes, or skin. In certain embodiments, more than one oligonucleotide decoy is administered to a patient. The preferred mode of administration is left to the discretion of the practitioner, and will depend in-part upon the site of the medical condition.

[0165] In specific embodiments, it may be desirable to administer one or more oligonucleotide decoys locally to the area in need of treatment. This may be achieved, for example, and not by way of limitation, by local infusion during surgery, topical application (e.g., in conjunction with a wound dressing after surgery), by injection, by means of a catheter, by means of a suppository, or by means of an implant, said implant being of a porous, non-porous, or gelatinous material, including membranes, such as sialastic membranes, or fibers. In some embodiments, administration can be by direct injection at the site (e.g., former, current, or expected site) of pain.

[0166] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to introduce one or more oligonucleotide decoys into the nervous system by any suitable route, including but not restricted to intraventricular, intrathecal, perineural and/or epidural/peridural injection. Intraventricular injection may be facilitated by an intraventricular catheter, for example, attached to a reservoir, such as an Ommaya reservoir.

[0167] Pulmonary administration can also be employed, e.g., by use of an inhaler or nebulizer, and formulation with an aerosolizing agent, or via perfusion in a fluorocarbon or synthetic pulmonary surfactant.

[0168] The amount of oligonucleotide decoy that will be effective in the treatment or prevention of pain in a patient will depend on the specific nature of the condition and can be determined by standard clinical techniques known in the art. In addition, in vitro or in vivo assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges. The amount of a oligonucleotide decoy administered will, of course, be dependent on, among other factors, the subject being treated, the weight of the subject, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration, and the judgment of the prescribing physician. In certain embodiments, a single dose of oligonucleotide decoy comprises about 5μgs to 5mgs, 50μgs to 2.5mgs, lOOμgs to lmg, 250μgs to 750μgs, or about 500μgs of oliognucleotide decoy per kilogram of body weight.

[0169] Preferably, the dosage forms are adapted to be administered to a patient no more than twice per day, more preferably, only once per day. Dosing may be provided alone or in combination with other drugs and may continue as long as required for effective treatment or prevention of pain.

Combination Therapy

[0170] In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof can be used in combination therapy with at least one other therapeutic agent which may include but is not limited to an oligonucleotide decoy. The oligonucleotide decoy and/or pharmaceutical composition thereof and the therapeutic agent can act additively or, more preferably, synergistically. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy and/or a pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered concurrently with the administration of another therapeutic agent, including another oligonucleotide decoy. In other embodiments, an oligonucleotide decoy or a pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered prior or subsequent to administration of another therapeutic agent, including another oligonucleotide decoy.

Experimental Protocols

[0171] The invention is further defined by reference to the following experimental protocol. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0172] The experimental model consists of mimicking a pain situation by applying to neuronal cell lines, primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and/or spinal cord neurons a combination of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., nerve growth factor, interleukin-lβ, bradykinin, serotonin, substance P, etc.) known to trigger the modulation of pain genes. Pain genes expression profiling is realized by semi-quantitative Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (sqRT-PCR) in several experimental situations, including but not restricted to, following pro-inflammatory mediator stimulation, with or without double stranded oligonucleotide treatment. An overview of the experiment is shown below:

Oligonucleotide = oligonucleotide decoy(s), PI = pro-inflammatory mediator(s), sqRT-PCR = Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

[0173] Cells are cultured in vitro and may be submitted to independent situations including but not limited to:

• no treatment, as a control for normal gene expression;

• oligonucleotide decoy(s) treatment to measure the effect of the later on basal gene expression;

• treatment with pro-inflammatory mediators to mimic an in vivo pain situation by changing pain gene(s) expression; and

• double treatment of pro-inflammatory mediator(s) plus oligonucleotide decoy (s) to measure the modulation level of the later in a pain- like situation.

[0174] After treatment, cells are collected and the RNA is extracted. Pain gene expression levels are measured possibly by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the expression profiles of each situation are compared to each other.

[0175] Oligonucleotide decoy treatment consists of transfecting one ore more (concurrently or in a sequence at a time interval yet to be determined) oligonucleotide decoys of sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs.: 1-45 in neuronal cell lines, DRG, and/or spinal cord neurons. Cell lines include, but are not limited to, PC 12 cells (NGF- differentiated or not), SH-SY5Y cells, Weri cells, HeIa, HEK293, F-11 , NS20Y, and ND7/23 cells, or any other cell line expressing one or more genes that may be selected (e.g. ACCNl-3, BDKRB1-2, BDNF, CACNAlG-H, CALCA, GRINl, GRMl, GRM5, HTR1-3, NTRKl, P2RX3, PLC, PRKC, etc.). One or more transfection(s) is applied to the same set of cells, including or not including the same single (or set of) oligonucleotide decoys. Cells, either cell lines or primary neurons, are collected at a time after oligonucleotide decoy treatment {e.g., 24 or 48 hours post-treatment). The transfection efficiency is measured by following the uptake of a labeled oligonucleotide decoy, possibly with a dye such as fluoresceine. The efficiency is given in percentage of total cells that contain the labeled oligonucleotide decoy.

[0176] Cultured cells are collected after treatment with oligonucleotide decoy and their RNA is extracted. Extracted RNA is transformed into cDNA by reverse transcription. The amount of cDNA of each selected gene, which reflects the amount of endogenous mRNA, is measured by PCR. The same amount of PCR reaction product is loaded on an agarose gel saturated with ethidium bromide or any other suitable agent for DNA detection. Detection of DNA is performed under a UV lamp or any other suitable device and gels images are analyzed with quantification software. The amount of DNA produced during each PCR reaction is normalized on the amount of DNA produced by the control PCR reactions from housekeeping genes (e.g., ACTB, GAPDH) which reflects the total quantity of RNA initially present in cells. The comparison of ratio signal / control values obtained for each gene with and without oligonucleotide decoy treatment(s) will give a relative measure of the impact of each oligonucleotide decoy on the level of expression of genes.

[0177] Control experiments with mismatched (e.g., SEQ ID NO.: 43 annealed to SEQ ID NO.:46, refered to hereinafter as SEQ ID NO.: 43/46), scrambled, and/or mutated double-stranded oligonucleotides are performed in parallel to ensure the measured effect is specific to each oligonucleotide decoy. Cell viability after oligonucleotide decoy treatment may be measured.

[0178] The same approach may be used with current pain drugs such as nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs or coxibs to compare with oligonucleotide decoys.

[0179] In certain embodiments, oligonucleotide decoys produce an effect in the expression pattern(s), which includes, but is not limited to, an inhibition and/or an induction of one or more gene(s) that may be involved in nociceptive signaling and/or the perception of pain in a patient. In certain embodiments, the inhibited gene(s) may encode pro-pain factors, like receptors of pro-inflammatory mediators, and the activated genes may encode anti-pain factors, like opioids receptors. Strand Annealing

[0180] For oligonucleotide decoys consiting of a pair of complementary strands, the complementary strands are annealed, at equimolar concentration, in a saline buffer, e.g., Tris-EDTA (TE). The standard procedure includes maintaining the solution of both strands at a high denaturizing temperature (e.g., 100 ⁰C) for a period of time which may vary depending on the complementary strands, followed by a slow decrease in temperature (e.g., 0.3-1 ⁰C /min) until the solution reaches a low temperature of annealing (e.g., 20 ⁰C). The proper annealing of complementary strands may be verified by any suitable standard technique, including but not restricted to running samples of annealed oligonucleotides next to un-annealed ones on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. For oligonucleotide decoys that are self-annealing, substantially the same protocol is followed.

Cell culture

[0181] DRG and/or spinal cord cells can be collected from an animal (e.g., a mammal, such as a rat or mouse) and the neurons can be freshly dissociated, using collagenase (e.g., collagenase type II) at 37 ⁰C. Cells isolated in such fashion can be plated on suitable Petri dishes (e.g., collagen coated). Neurons are maintained in appropriate media culture (e.g., DMEM). Cell lines are thawed and maintained in adequate media and Petri dishes according to the supplier recommendations. Cells are typically incubated at 37 ⁰C, 5 % CO₂. Cell lines are cultured according to supplier recommendations .

[0182] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples which should not be construed as limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0183] Oligonucleotide decoys of the invention include, but are not limited to, sequences presented in Table 1. In general, the oligonucleotide decoy is generated by annealing the sequence provided in the table with a complementary sequence. To generate a mismatch double-stranded oligonucleotide, the sequence provided in the table can be annealed to a sequence that is only partially complementary. For example, SEQ ID NO.:43 can be annealed to SEQ ID NO.:46 to produce the mismatched sequence, SEQ ID NO.:43/46, described in the following Examples.

Table 1

Example 2: Affinity and Specificity of EGRl Oligonucleotide Decoy Sequences

[0184] SEQ ID NO. : 3, which is designed to bind EGRl transcription factor, has a structure that is typical of class of oligonucleotide decoys of the invention. The structure of SEQ ID NO.: 3 includes, in order from 5' to 3', a 5' flanking sequence, a first transcription factor binding site, a linker sequence, a second transcription factor binding site, and a 3' flanking sequence. SEQ ID NO.: 40, which has 94% identity with SEQ ID NO.: 3 and the same basic structure, is predicted in silico to bind EGRl better than SEQ ID NO.: 3. Pharmacological analysis of SEQ ID NO.: 40 was performed using a transcription factor ELISA kit specific for EGRl binding detection. The sensitivity of transcription factor ELISA technology is ten times more sensitive than classical EMSA experiments, allowing detailed pharmacological studies of transcription factor decoys.

[0185] The proper annealing of forward and reverse strands of SEQ ID NO. : 40 was confirmed on a 2.5 % agarose gel, as shown in Fig. IA. Binding experiments were conducted with the human form of EGRl (hEGRl) present in nuclear extracts of TPA-stimulated K-562 cells. See, e.g., Fig. IB.

[0186] Quantitative competition ELISA using SEQ ID NO.: 40 and SEQ ID NO.: 41 show that SEQ ID NO.: 40 exhibits strong hEGRl binding activity, as shown in Fig. 2A. In our experimental context, an half-inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value represents the concentration of competitor that gives 50 % inhibition of the probe binding measured in absence of the competitor and, thus, is a measure of the relative affinities of sequences against each other. The results indicate that SEQ ID NO.: 40, which contains two EGRl transcription factor binding sites, bares a relative affinity to hEGRl similar to the consensus SEQ ID NO.: 41, which contains a single EGRl transcription factor binding site, with IC50 of 215 nM and 250 nM, respectively.

[0187] We discovered that SEQ ID NO. : 42, which is 70% homologous to SEQ ID NO.: 3 but includes a specific fusion of the two EGRl transcription factor binding sites present in SEQ ID NO.: 3, has an affinity for EGRl two times higher than the single consensus sequence, SEQ ID NO.: 41, with an IC50 of 99 nM. See Fig. 2A.

[0188] Crystal structure experiments studies have shown that a single EGRl protein is able to bind its consensus binding sequence through three zinc finger domains. It is known that protein-protein interactions can directly change DNA binding activities, as proven for the API factors c-jun and c-fos, where the c-jun:c-fos dimer binds to API response elements five to thirty times better than c-jun:c-jun dimers. Without intending to be bound, we believe that the fusion of the two EGRl transcription factor binding sites present in SEQ ID NO.: 42 induces protein-protein interactions between two EGRl factors and thereby mutually increases their DNA binding affinity. In any event, the very high affinity of SEQ ID NO.: 42 for EGRl, as compare to known binding sequences, makes SEQ ID NO.: 42 particularly attractive as a pharmaceutical inhibitor of hEGRl.

[0189] The absence of non-specific oligonucleotides binding effect in our

ELISA experiments was demonstrated by the lack of EGRl binding to the mismatch sequence, SEQ ID NO.: 43/46, as shown in Fig. 1C. In addition, SPl and WTl transcription factors, which are structurally related to EGRl and are able to bind GC-rich DNA sequences similar to the EGRl consensus binding sequence, bound poorly to EGRl oligonucleotide decoys. ELISA experiments detecting hSPl binding demonstrated that SEQ ID NO.: 40 bound poorly to SPl as compare to the SPl -specific oligonucleotide decoy, SEQ ID NO.: 11, with an OD value 80 % lower. See Fig. 2B (top panel). Furthermore, competition experiments demonstrated that SEQ ID NO.: 42 does not bind efficiently to hSPl, even at high excess concentrations, as shown in Fig. 2B, top and bottom panels. A similar lack of affinity was observed for EGRl oligonucleotide binding to hWTl . See Fig. 2B, top and bottom panels. [0190] Altogether, pharmacological experiments reveal that SEQ ID NO.: 42 is a powerful hEGRl inhibitor compound as (i) it has a higher relative affinity for hEGRl as compare to both the single consensus binding site decoy (SEQ ID NO.: 41) and the double consensus binding site decoy (SEQ ID NO.: 40) and, (ii) it is highly specific.

Example 3: Inhibition of hEGRl transcriptional activity in cells

[0191] The capacity of SEQ ID NO.: 40 and SEQ ID NO.: 42 to inhibit hEGRl transcriptional activity in human cells was measured through their effect on CDK5R1 gene expression. CDK5R1 is an activator of the CDK5 kinase. Both are up- regulated in pain neurons following peripheral inflammation and regulate nociceptive signaling, notably via phosphorylation of the capsaicin receptor, TRPVl . hEGRl directly binds to the CDK5R1 promoter in human HL60 cells and controls its up- regulation following cell differentiation by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3. Segment of the natural CDK5R1 promoter used as a decoy in HL60 cells are already known to inhibit CDK5R1 expression. We assessed the efficiency of our decoy sequences to inhibit hEGRl activity by measuring the level of inhibition of CDK5R1 they confer following HL60 cell differentiation. CDK5R1 mRNA expression level was measured by sq RT- PCR {see, e.g., Fig. 3A) and half-inhibition concentrations IC50 refers to the decoy concentration needed to produce 50 % inhibition of the maximum CDK5R1 mRNA expression level measured after 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 differentiation.

[0192] We confirmed the up-regulation of CDK5R1 mRNA expression level following 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 application, as well as the presence of hEGRl in HL60 cells, as shown in Fig. 3B. The high transfection yield (70%) of our decoy sequences into HL60 cells is illustrated in Fig. 3C. Figure 3D shows that we did not measure any significant difference in the number of dead cells between 1,25- Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment alone and combined with decoy sequences at concentrations up to 1 μM, demonstrating the lack of toxicity of EGRl decoy in HL60 cells.

[0193] Dose response experiments from 250 nM to 2 μM conducted with our hEGRl decoy sequences are displayed in Fig. 4A. SEQ ID NO.: 40 and SEQ ID NO.: 41 have a similar IC₅₀, with values of 544 nM and 529 nM, respectively. This is directly consistent with the fact that the two sequences display roughly the same binding affinity for hEGRl . SEQ ID NO.: 42 is over three time more effective at inhibiting CDK5R1 mRNA expression than the other decoys, with an IC₅₀ = 150 nM, reflecting its higher affinity for hEGRl . Typical pictures of CDK5R1 mRNA expression detection on agarose gels illustrating the differential IC₅₀ of SEQ ID NO.: 40 and SEQ ID NO.: 42 are displayed in Fig. 4B. Those data reveal a direct relationship between the relative affinities of hEGRl decoy sequences and their efficiency in a cellular context and further confirm the therapeutic potential of SEQ ID NO.: 42 as an hEGRl inhibitor and for treating pain.

[0194] The specificity of SEQ ID NO : 42 activity was verified using two methods. First, we verified the absence of CDK5R1 expression inhibition from the mismatch sequence SEQ ID NO.: 43/46, which indicates the lack of non-specific nucleotide exposure effects. See Fig. 3E, left panel. Second, we confirmed the specificity of SEQ ID NO. : 42 activity by showing its lack of effect on the regulation of BCL2, a anti-apoptotic gene that lacks hEGRl response element within its promoter and is not known to be regulated by hEGRl in HL60 cells. Consistent with previous observations, we measured a down-regulation of BCL2 mRNA expression after HL60 differentiation, and this down-regulation was not altered by SEQ ID NO.:42 oligonucleotide decoy treatment. See Fig .3E, right panel.

Example 4: Inhibition of pain genes expression

[0195] PC 12 are pheochromocytoma cells extensively used as a model to investigate pain signaling pathways because they express and regulate numerous pain genes in a fashion similar to endogenous pain neurons in response to pro-inflammatory mediators such as NGF or cAMP elevating compounds. We measured the effect of seq ID NO.: 42 decoy treatment on pain genes expression profile. We selected 11 pain genes based on (i) their critical roles in multiple pain syndromes, (ii) their different positions along pain signaling pathways and (iii) the strong parallel between the regulation of their expression between endogenous pain neurons and PC 12 cells. They belong to four genes classes: ion channels (Scn9α, Cαcnαlb), membrane receptors (Grm5, Bdkrb2, P2rx3, Htr3α), signaling and neurotransmitter synthesis enzymes and related proteins (Cdk5rl, Gchl, Pnmt, Nosl) and neurotransmitter (Bdnf).

[0196] We obtained similar transfection yield in PC12 (80 %) cells as compare to HL60 cells, as shown in Fig. 5A. Fig. 5B displays the basal expression level of the selected pain genes normalized upon Gαpdh expression level, with and without SEQ ID NO.: 42 decoy treatment. The results indicate that the basal expression of Bdkrb2, Htr3a and Scn9a is strongly inhibited by SEQ ID NO.: 42 treatment. Interestingly, all three of the genes encode membrane proteins - two receptors and one ion channel. The absence of impact on the other genes expression level emphasizes the specificity of the EGRl decoy treatment in PC 12 cells.

[0197] In further experiments, we treated PC 12 cells with two pain mimicking stimuli that are known to mobilize EGRl - NGF and forskolin. NGF induces the expression of EGRl and forskolin acts as a permissive factor for EGRl activity in PC 12 cells. Twenty- four hours after NGF/forskolin treatment of PC 12 cells, we observed significant up-regulation of 7 of the 11 genes examined, including Bdnf, Grm5, Scn9a, Nosl, Gchl, Cdk5rl and Pnmt. Our results are in agreement with several other studies showing the up-regulation of such pain genes in PC 12 cells following NGF exposure. Treatment with SEQ ID NO.: 42 fully prevented the endogenous up-regulation of five of the genes, including Scn9a, Nosl, Gchl, Cdk5rl and Pnmt. Interestingly, all of these genes except Scn9a encode enzymes-related proteins. Typical pictures of pain gene cDNA detection on agarose gels illustrating the two complementary effect of SEQ ID NO.: 42 treatment, basal expression inhibition and up-regulation block, are shown in Fig. 5D. We verified the lack of non-specific oligonucleotides exposure effect in PC 12 cells by showing the absence inhibition by the mismatch sequence SEQ ID NO.: 43/46 on two pain genes, as shown in Fig. 5E.

[0198] SEQ ID NO.: 42 inhibits the expression level of seven out of eleven pain genes on two different levels, basal transcription and pain-induced up-regulation. It is possible that the two effects operate on distinct classes of genes, as within our small scale experiments, basal transcription levels were inhibited among essentially only membrane proteins while under pain- like conditions the normal up-regulation of pain- associated genes was inhibited among essentially only genes encoding enzymes. The high proportion of genes regulated and their complementary qualities reflects the importance of EGRl in pain and is in agreement with animal knockout and antisense studies demonstrating that in absence of EGRl, major pain syndromes are not maintained. From a therapeutic prospective, the interest of inhibiting EGRl activity using SEQ ID NO.: 42 is the ability to concurrently modulate the expression of a high number of pain genes that are active at multiple steps of pain signaling pathways. For instance, a unique treatment with SEQ ID NO.: 42 would be sufficient to concurrently inhibit a receptor like BDRKD2 that perceive pain signals, an ion channel like SCN9A that relays pain signals within neurons, and a neurotransmitter synthesis enzyme like GCHl that participate to its synaptic transmission between neurons, whereas normally a complex polypharmacy approach would be necessary to simultaneously affect such different targets. Altogether, the experimental data showing the strong inhibitory effect of SEQ ID NO.: 42 on EGRl- dependent pain gene expression reveals its therapeutic potential for pain treatment.

Example 5: Complementary decoy studies

[0199] We analyzed several other oligonucleotide decoys sequences that target transcription factors with distinct roles, including (i) CREB/ ATF and NFAT, which are immediate early genes that are critical in pain gene expression plasticity and complement the role of EGRl, and (ii) AMLl and SPl factors, which are critical in the maintenance of basal expression and tissue specific expression of numerous pain genes.

[0200] Fig. 6A shows ELISA experiments for SEQ ID NO. : 4, which targets CREB/ATF, SEQ ID NO.: 11, which targets SPl, SEQ ID NO.: 12, which targets

RUNXl, and SEQ ID NO.: 15, which targets NFAT. Graphs display the binding OD values obtained for each sequence with either the biotinylated version used as a probe alone or in presence of respective competitor. All sequences bound their targeted factors, as shown by binding ODs higher than the background. Differences in the binding ODs from one sequence to another likely reflect, aside from the individual qualities of the antibodies used for ELISA detection, differences in the quantity of each transcription factor within nuclear extracts,and in their relative activation levels. The binding inhibition observed in the presence of competitors for each sequence indicates their specificity for their respective targets.

[0201] The therapeutic potential of three of the sequences was assessed in

PC12 cells, as described for SEQ ID NO.: 42. The presence of CREB/ATF, NFAT and RUNX factors has been previously described in PC 12 cells. Expression levels of pain genes before and after SEQ ID NO.: 4, SEQ ID NO. : 12, and SEQ ID NO.: 15 decoy treatment are shown in Table 2A. Fig. 6B illustrates the effect of oligonucleotide decoy treatment measured under pain-like conditions. Each sequence inhibited the expression of multiple genes under both basal and pain-like conditions. See Tables 2A and 2B, Fig. 6B. For example, SEQ ID NO.: 4, which targets CREB/ATF transcription factors, inhibited the basal expression level of Bdkrb2, Grm5, Htr3a, Pnmt and Nosl and prevents the up-regulation of Scn9a, Cdk5rl, Pnmt and Nosl. We observed some overlap in the inhibition profiles of decoy sequences over the regulation of pain genes expression. Such redundancy is not surprising in the light of gene expression being controlled by scaffolds of transcription factors rather than by a single one and that all investigated factors are involved in pain signaling. In vivo, the respective involvement of each of transcription factor in the regulation of genes expression may depend on the type of pain neuron it is expressed in and in its global activity resulting from the integration of complex pain signaling pathways. Therefore, the therapeutic relevance of a particular decoy may depend on the pain syndrome, intensity and stage.

[0202] Some important pain genes like Scn9a, which is critical in the genesis of action potential in pain neurons (e.g., nonsense mutations in Scn9a generate insensitivity to pain), are very sensitive to transcription regulation. Scn9a up-regulation after NGF and forskolin treatment appears to implicate a transcriptional network that includes the three immediate early genes Egrl, Creb/Atf and N fat. If the activity of a single one of those factors is inhibited with one of our decoy sequences, the regulation is lost. This represents an important potential therapeutic advantage to the decoy approach as the expression of a given gene may be inhibited without the need to target all the transcription factors involved in its regulation.

[0203] Altogether, those experiments demonstrate that our decoy sequences have the potential to concurrently inhibit a high number of pain genes, a unique property for pain therapy.

Example 6: Composite Oligonucleotide Decoys

[0204] Considering that a certain level of redundancy operates between transcription factor activities, we developed a composite decoy sequence, SEQ ID NO.: 45, for the concurrent inhibition of EGRl, CREB/ATF and NFAT. The interest of such a sequence is the simultaneous inhibition of three major immediate early genes involved in neuronal plasticity and that integrate complementary signaling pathways critical for pain sensation. Signaling kinases like the MAPK/ERK pathways, which are activated by numerous metabotropic pain receptors (e.g. , the NGF receptors NTRK1/NGFR), mobilize EGRl, while the calcium signaling pathways mobilized by calcium- and cationic-channels activate CREB and NFAT. The sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 45 includes, in 5' to 3' order, transcription factor binding sites for EGRl, CREB/ATF and NFAT, each selected from the individual response elements of SEQ ID NO.: 3 (EGRl), SEQ ID NO.: 4 (CREB/ATF), and SEQ ID NO.: 15 (NFAT).

[0205] The binding properties of SEQ ID NO. :45 for each factor are displayed figure 7A,B. Parallel ELISA competition experiments with SEQ ID NO.: 41 and SEQ ID NO.: 45 show that the relative binding affinity of this composite sequence for EGRl is as high as the oligonucleotide decoy SEQ ID NO.: 41. Furthermore, the inhibition of hEGRl activity in HL60 cells induced by SEQ ID NO.: 45 treatment matches the inhibition induced by SEQ ID NO.: 41 (Fig. 7C), both having overlapping dose-response curves. These results are consistent with our prior observation that cell efficiency is directly linked to the relative affinity measured in ELISA experiments. Finally, further ELISA competition experiments show that, in plus of binding to hEGRl, SEQ ID NO.: 45 also specifically binds to hCREB/hATF and hNFAT factors (Fig. 7B).

[0206] We investigated the impact of SEQ ID NO.: 45 on pain gene expression in PC 12 cells (table 2). Use of a composite sequence provides two benefits: (i) a potentially additive effect on the number and type of genes inhibited; and (ii) potentially greater inhibition of particular genes that are only partially inhibited by oligonucleotide decoys specific to single transcription factors. The additive effect was illustrated for SEQ ID NO.:45 by the differential inhibition among the composite, NFAT, and EGRl decoys. For example, SEQ ID NO.: 42 does not inhibit Grm5 basal expression, while both SEQ ID NO.: 15 (NFAT) and SEQ ID NO.: 45 (composite) do. Similarly, in pain- like condition, SEQ ID NO.: 15 (NFAT) does not prevent Scn9a up- regulation after NGF and forskolin treatment, while SEQ ID NO.: 42 (EGRl) and SEQ ID NO.: 45 (composite) do.

[0207] The intensity effect appears strongly in the regulation oϊBdrkb2 and

Scn9a genes expression, as shown in Fig. 7D. When one gene is inhibited by at least 2 transcription factors targeted by the composite sequence, the intensity of the inhibition is stronger than the inhibition conferred by the individual sequences. For instance, Bdrkb2 basal expression is individually inhibited by a factor of 5 by both SEQ ID NO.: 4 and SEQ ID NO.: 15, while it is inhibited by a factor of 10 by the composite oligonucleotide decoy, SEQ ID NO.: 45.

Table 2B - NGF and Forskolin Stimulation

-^l

[0208] Values are given as Mean and SEM, and represent the expression level in PC 12 cells of each gene normalized on the Gapdh expression level. Units are arbitrary. Black cases represent experiments not done, n = 2-4.

Example 7: Treatment of Pain In Vivo [0209] Inflammation is a major source of pain. It is a feature common to numerous pain syndromes, such as arthritic and post-operative pain. The Complete Freund Adjuvant model (CFA) is a well-characterized inflammatory pain model that is commonly used to reproduces features of human inflammatory pain. For instance, following inflammation in the hindpaw, animals develop a robust and long-lasting mechanical allodynia (i.e., a pain in response to a mechanical stimulus normally non- painful), a phenomenon that is a major source of pain and limitations for patients ambulation, breathing and feeding in a post-operative context.

[0210] In our experiments and accordingly to the literature, mechanical allodynia was measurable on the inflamed hindpaw at day 1 post-CFA and reached its maximum within 4 days, as shown in Fig 8. Treatment with SEQ ID NO.: 42 resulted in an anti-allodynic tendency at day 1 post-CFA (Fig. 8A) and a robust reversal of allodynia at day 4 post-CFA for each stimulus force tested (Fig. 8B). This is in agreement with EGRl being involved in the maintenance of neuronal plasticity events, like neuronal sensitization and long-term potentiation, rather than their onset.

[0211 ] Altogether, those results indicate that SEQ ID NO .: 42 treatment has a robust anti-allodynic effect, demonstrating its therapeutic potential for treating pain in vivo. Particularly, SEQ ID NO.: 42 treatment is relevant in preventing the maintenance of long-lasting pain syndromes, e.g., chronic post-operative pain.

Example 8: Materials and Methods Cell culture and biological reagents

[0212] HL60 (human peripheral blood, acute promyelocytic leukemia) and PC 12 (rat adrenal gland, pheochromocytomal cells) cell lines were purchased from the UCSF Cell culture facility (CA, USA). HL-60 cells were grown in RPMI media 1640 + L-Glutamine (Invitrogen, CA, USA) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Invitrogen, CA, USA). Cells were splits into 6-well plates (BD Biosciences, USA) at about 200 x 10⁴ cells/well 24h before treatment with 1 μM 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 with or without decoy transfection as described previously. PC 12 cells were grown in DMEM containing 1,000 mg/L D-glucose, L-glutamine, 25 rnM HEPES buffer, and 110 mg/L sodium pyruvate (Invitrogen, CA, USA) and supplemented with with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum, 5 % heat-inactivated horse serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Invitrogen, CA, USA). PC 12 cells were split into CellBind 6-well plates (Corning, USA) 24h before treatment with 100 nM NGF (Invitrogen, CA, USA) and 5 μM forskolin (Sigma- Aldrich, MO, USA) with or without decoy transfection. All cells were grown at 37⁰C with 5% CO2. Dead cells counting were realized using Tryptan blue (Invitrogen, CA, USA) exclusion technique on a Malassez counting chamber.

Decoy sequences annealing

[0213] Forward and reverse strands for each decoy sequence were synthesized by Integrated DNA Technology (IA, USA) and resuspended in either Ix TE buffer, pH 7.4 or pH 8. Each strand pair was annealed in presence of 50 mM NaCl with a 7 min 95⁰C denaturation step and a slow cooling to 25⁰C at 0.5⁰C / min. Annealing success was checked on a 2.5 % agarose gel with ethidium bromide by observing the slower migration speeds of the duplexes versus a corresponding single strand.

Decoy sequences transfection [0214] Transfections of decoy sequences were realized using

Oligofectamine (Invitrogen, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer protocol. For HL60 experiments, decoy sequences transfections (250 nM, 500 nM, 1000 nM and 2000 nM) were immediately followed by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 μM) treatment. Cells were collected 48h later and prepared for RNA extraction. For PC 12 cells, NGF (100 ng/ml) and forskolin (5 μM) were applied immediately after decoy sequences transfections (500 nM). Cells were collected 24 h after for RNA extraction.

[0215] For both cell lines, transfection yield was measured using SEQ ID NO.: 40 coupled to fluorescein (Integrated DNA Technology, IA, USA) 24 h post- transfection. The yield of transfection was calculated based upon the counting of fluorescent versus non-fluorescent cells observed under a fluorescent microscope. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reactions (sqRT-PCR)

[0216] Total RNA was extracted from cells using the RNeasy Plus kit (Qiagen, USA) that ensures removal of genomic DNA during RNA extraction. Equivalent RNA quantities are reverse transcripted into cDNA per condition, using either the First-strand cDNA synthesis kit (GE healthcare, NJ, USA) or the Superscript 1^st strand system (Invitrogen, CA, USA) and one-sixteenth of each RT was used per PCR reaction. PCR were realized in 20 μL total using the Promega master mix (Promega, WI, USA) with the following cycles: 95⁰C 1 min, 55⁰C 1 min, 72⁰C 1 min (25 cycles for housekeeping genes ACTB and Gapdh, 35 cycles for other genes for material detection in the linear detection range and before signal saturation). All primers used (see Table 3) have been previously described.

Table 3

S= sense, AS = anti-sense, h = human, r = rat.

[0217] 12.5 μl of each PCR reaction was detected on 1% agarose gel (Invitrogen, CA, USA) with ethidium bromide (Fisher Scientific, PA, USA). Gel bands images were captured with a FluorChem SP gel imager system (Alpha Innotech, CA, USA) and analyzed using the Image J software (NIH, MD, USA).

Expression levels were normalized on ACTB levels for HL60 experiments and Gapdh levels for PC 12 experiments. Statistical significance was measured with the two-tails student t-test. Dose-responses curves were fitted with the exponential decay equation.

Transcription factor ELISA experiments [0218] The affinity and specificity of decoy sequences for their transcription factor targets was measured with colorimetric transcription factor ELISA (Enzyme linked immuno adsorbent) kits (Panomics, CA, USA). Briefly, designated decoy sequences coupled to biotin were incubated for 30 minutes with nuclear protein extracts from TPA- stimulated K-562 cells expressing targeted transcription factors (Activemotif, CA, USA). The mixes of proteins and decoy sequences were loaded on 96-well plates coated with streptavidin provided in the kit. The quantity of transcription factor captured by each decoy sequence was revealed according to the supplier protocol using specific primary antibodies and secondary antibodies coupled to the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. Reactions optical densities (ODs) were read at 450 nM with a Thermomax microplate reader (Molecular Device, CA, USA).

[0219] Experiments were conducted in 50 μl with 6.4 pmoles of biotin- coupled decoy sequence (probe) mixed with 10 μg of nuclear protein extract in the kit binding buffer. When the probe is incubated alone with the protein extracts, the resulting OD represents the binding activity of the probe for its target. When increasing concentration of competing, not biotinylated versions of the probe are added to the binding reaction, a reduction of OD values demonstrates binding specificity. The use of sequence variants as competitors allows measuring their relative affinities for the targeted factor as compared to the probe. The use of primary antibodies against several transcription factors (CREB/ ATF, WTl, NFATCl from Santa Cruz Biotechnolgy, CA, USA, SPl from emd biosciences, WI, USA and EGRl from Panomics, CA, USA) allows detecting the relative specificity of decoy sequences for multiple factors. Competition curves were fitted with the exponential decay equation.

Behavioural experiments

[0220] The plantar surface of left hind paw of Sprague-Dawley Rats (male, 250-30Og) was injected (30G needle) with 150 μl of Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA). Von Frey filaments of Ig and 6 g were used to test for mechanical responsiveness (i.e., allodynia) of the hind paw. Briefly, each Von Frey filament was applied 5 times and the number of paw withdrawals was counted. Animals were habituated on a mesh floor 1 hour prior to testing. Basal mechanical sensitivity of animals was tested before SEQ ID NO.: 42 and CFA treatments. All experiments were conducted blinded.

[0221] SEQ ID NO. :42 was synthesized and HPLC-purified by Integrated

DNA Technology (IA, USA). Decoy duplexes were annealed as described previously, in TE pH 8 at a 2mM final concentration and injected intrathecally in rats with 13 nmoles / injection (20 μl total, diluted 1 :3, TE pH 8). The injection/testing schedule was as follows:

- day 0: basal Von Frey sensitivity testing followed by SEQ ID NO.: 42 injection 1

- day 1 : SEQ ID NO. : 42 injection 2, Ih prior to CFA treatment

- day 2: SEQ ID NO.: 42 injection 3, Ih prior to Von Frey testing

- day 5 : SEQ ID NO. : 42 injection 4, Ih prior to Von Frey testing [0222] Control animals are injected with only TE as a vehicle following the same schedule. For intrathecal injections, rats were anesthetized with 2% Isoflurane, their backs shaved and prepared with Betadine. Rats were then was placed on a bottle to keep the back arched. A 17G 1/2 needle was slid rostrally along left side of L6 transverse process till it reached L5. The needle was then inserted between L5 and L6 until the intrathecal space was reached as indicated by tail twitch. [0223] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, may be practiced without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

[0224] All publications and patents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed:

1. An oligonucleotide decoy comprising two transcription factor binding sites, wherein each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, POU4F1, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors.

2. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, wherein the relative positions of said two transcription factor binding sites on said decoy increases the binding affinity between said oligonucleotide decoy and a target transcription factor.

3. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, wherein said two transcription factor binding sites are overlapping.

4. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, wherein said two transcription factor binding sites bind to the same transcription factor.

5. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 4, wherein said transcription factor is EGRl.

6. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, wherein said two transcription factor binding sites bind to different transcription factors.

7. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, wherein said decoy is about 20 to 40 base pairs in length.

8. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1, comprising a sequence represented by formula (3).

9. The oligonucleotide of claim 8, wherein said sequence has at least 70% identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3.

10. The oligonucleotide decoy of claim 8, wherein the nucleotides at positions 15- 21 are not present.

11. The oligonucelotide decoy of claim 1, comprising: (a) the sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 42; or

(b) a sequence having at least 80% identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 42.

12. The oligonucelotide decoy of claim 1, further comprising a third transcription factor binding site, wherein said third transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, POU4F1, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR transcription factors.

13. The oligonucelotide decoy of claim 12, comprising:

(a) the sequence of SEQ ID No. 45; or

(b) a sequence having at least 70% identity with the sequence of SEQ ID No. 45.

14. An oligonucleotide decoy, comprising:

(a) a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-40, 42, 45 and 47-53;

(b) a sequence having at least 90% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1 -39, 42, 45, and 47-53;

(c) a sequence having at least 85% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-17, 19-39, 42, 45 47-53; or

(d) a sequence having at least 80% identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-5, 7-17, 19-39, 42, 45 and 47-53.

15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

16. A kit comprising an oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1 and, optionally, an instruction for using said oligonucleotide decoy.

17. A method for modulating the transcription of a gene present in a cell involved in nociceptive signaling comprising administering to the cell an effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cell is a neuron.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein modulation of transcription suppresses, inhibits, activates, induces or stabilizes gene expression.

20. The method of claim 17, wherien said gene is selected from the group consisting of BDKRD2, HTR3A, SCN9A, BDNF, GRM5, NOSl, GCHl, CDK5R1, and PNMT.

21. A method for modulating nociceptive signaling in a cell comprising administering to the cell an effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the cell is a neuron.

23. A method for treating or preventing pain in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide decoy of claim 1.

24. The method of Claim 23, wherein the pain is any pain from acute to chronic pain.

25. The method of Claim 23, wherein the pain is post-operative pain.

26. The method of Claim 23, wherein the oligonucleotide decoy is adminstered epidurally/peridurally or intrathecally.

27. A method for treating or preventing pain in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more oligonucleotide decoys, wherein each oligonucleotide decoy comprises a transcription factor binding site, and wherein said transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, CEBP, SRF, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, POU4F1, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein each oligonucleotide decoy comprises two transcription factor binding sites, and wherein each transcription factor binding site binds to a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of POUlFl, POU2F, POU3F, POU5F1, USF, EGRl, CREB/ATF, API, CEBP, SRF, ETSl, MEF2, SPl, RUNX, NFAT, ELKl, ternary complex factors, STAT, GATAl, ELFl, nuclear factor - granulocyte/macrophage a, POU4F1, HNFl, ZFHX3, IRF, TEADl, TBP, NFY, caccc-box binding factors, KLF4, KLF7, IKZF, MAF, REST, HSF, KCNIP3 and PPAR.