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Definitions

• the invention relates generally to the field of immunology and immunotherapy applications using oligoribonucleotides as immune modulatory agents. More particularly, the invention relates to immune modulatory RNA compositions and methods of use thereof for modulating the immune response through Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), Toll- like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR7 and TLR8.
• TLR8 Toll-like receptor 8
• TLR7 Toll-like receptor 7
• the immune response involves both an innate and an adaptive response based upon the subset of cells involved in the response.
• the T helper (Th) cells involved in classical cell-mediated functions such as delayed-type hypersensitivity and activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are ThI cells
• the Th cells involved as helper cells for B-cell activation are Th2 cells.
• the type of immune response is influenced by the cytokines and chemokines produced in response to antigen exposure. Cytokines provide a means for controlling the immune response by affecting the balance of T helper 1 (ThI) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells, which directly affects the type of immune response that occurs.
• ThI cells are involved in the body's innate response to antigens (e.g. viral infections, intracellular pathogens, and tumor cells).
• the initial response to an antigen can be the secretion of IL-12 from antigen presenting cells (e.g.
• ThI cells activated macrophages and dendritic cells
• ThI cells The result of activating ThI cells is a secretion of certain cytokines (e.g. IL-2, IFN-gamma and other cytokines) and a concomitant activation of antigen-specific CTLs.
• cytokines e.g. IL-2, IFN-gamma and other cytokines
• Th2 cells are known to be activated in response to bacteria, parasites, antigens, and allergens and may mediate the body's adaptive immune response (e.g. immunoglobulin production and eosinophil activation) through the secretion of certain cytokines (e.g.
• IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-IO, IL-13 and other cytokines secretion of certain of these cytokines may result in B-cell proliferation and an increase in antibody production.
• certain of these cytokines may stimulate or inhibit the release of other cytokines (e.g IL-10 inhibits IFN - ⁇ secretion from ThI cells and IL-12 from dendritic cells).
• IL-10 inhibits IFN - ⁇ secretion from ThI cells and IL-12 from dendritic cells.
• IFN- ⁇ may inhibit hepatitis C
• MIP-Ia and MlP-l ⁇ also known as CCL3 and CCL4 respectively
• HIV-I infection may inhibit HIV-I infection.
• Optimal balancing of the Thl/Th2 immune response presents the opportunity to use the immune system to treat and prevent a variety of diseases.
• the ThI immune response can be induced in mammals for example by introduction of bacterial or synthetic DNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides, which immune response results from presentation of specific oligonucleotide sequences (e.g. unmethylated CpG) to receptors on certain immune cells known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) . Certain of these PRRs are Toll-like receptors (TLRs).
• PRRs pattern recognition receptors
• TLRs are intimately involved in inducing the innate immune response in response to microbial infection.
• TLRs consist of a family often proteins (TLRl to TLRlO) that are known to recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns.
• TLR3, 7, 8, and 9 are known to localize in endosomes inside the cell and recognize nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and small molecules such as nucleosides and nucleic acid metabolites.
• TLR3 and TLR9 are known to recognize nucleic acid such as dsRNA and unmethylated CpG dinucleotide present in viral and bacterial and synthetic DNA, respectively.
• TLR9 recognizes unmethylated CpG motifs present in bacterial and synthetic DNA (Hemmi H, et al., Nature. (2000) 408:740-5).
• Other modifications of CpG- containing phosphorothioate oligonucleotides can also affect their ability to act through TLR9 and modulate the immune response (see, e.g., Zhao et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. (1996) 51 :173-182; Zhao et al., Biochem Pharmacol. (1996) 52:1537-1544; Zhao et al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. (1997) 7:495-502; Zhao et al., Bioorg. Med.
• Kandimalla ER et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2005) 102:6925-30. Kandimalla ER, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2003) 100:14303-8. Cong YP, et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2003) 310:1133-9. Kandimalla ER, et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2003) 306:948-53. Kandimalla ER, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. (2003) 31 :2393-400. Yu D, et al., Bioorg Med Chem. (2003) 11 :459-64.
• TLRs 7 and 8 recognize viral and synthetic single- stranded RNAs and small molecules, including a number of nucleosides (Diebold, S. S., et al., Science v: 303, 1529-1531 (2004). Diebold et al. (Science, 303:1529-1531 (2004)) show that the IFN- ⁇ response to influenza virus requires endosomal recognition of influenza genomic RNA and signaling by means of TLR7 and MyD88 and identify ssRNA as a ligand for TLR7.
• Certain synthetic compounds, the imidazoquinolones, imiquimod (R-837) and resiquimod (R- 848) are ligands of TLR7 and TLR8 (Hemmi H et al, (2002) Nat Immunol 3:196-200; Jurk M et al., (2002) Nat Immunol 3:499).
• certain guanosine analogs, such as 7- deaza-G, 7-thia-8-oxo-G (TOG), and 7-allyl-8-oxo-G (loxoribine) have been shown to activate TLR7 at high concentrations (Lee J et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003, 100:6646- 51).
• these small molecules, eg. imiquimod are also known to act through other receptors (Schon MP, et al., (2006) J. Invest Dermatol, , 126, 1338-47)
• RNA molecules have been used for many years, for example as ribozymes and, more recently, siRNA and microRNA, and RNA employed as ribozymes, siRNA, and microRNA contain GU dinucleotides.
• RNA molecules have been shown to elicit immune responses through TLR stimulation in the presence of lipids (Kariko et al., Immunity (2005) 23:165-75; Ma Z et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun., (2005) 330, 755-9).
• the instability of these RNA molecules has hindered progress in using and applying these molecules in many areas (e.g. prevention and treatment of human disease).
• Oligonucleotides and oligodeoxynucleotides containing a ribose or deoxyribose sugar have been used in a wide variety of fields, including but not limited to diagnostic probing, PCR priming, antisense inhibition of gene expression, siRNA, microRNA, aptamers, ribozymes, and immunotherapeutic agents based on Toll-like Receptors (TLRs). More recently, many publications have demonstrated the use of oligodeoxynucleotides as immune modulatory agents and their use alone or as adjuvants in immunotherapy applications for many diseases, such as allergy, asthma, autoimmunity, cancer and infectious disease.
• TLRs Toll-like Receptors
• RNA is rapidly degraded by ubiquitous extracellular ribonucleases (RNases) which ensure that little, if any, self-ssRNA reaches the antigen-presenting cells. Exonuclease degradation of nucleic acids is predominantly of 3 '-nuclease digestion with a smaller percentage through 5 '-exonuclease action. In addition to exonuclease digestion, RNA can also be degraded by endonuclease activity of RNAses. RNA-based molecules have so far had to be complexed with lipids to provide stability against nucleases.
• Agrawal et al. (11/697,422) describe a novel class of SIMRA compositions.
• RNA-based molecules that can act as new immunotherapic agents, which will find use in a number of clinically relevant applications, such as improving the effects of vaccination when co-administered or treating and/or preventing diseases when invoking or enhancing an immune response is beneficial, for example cancer, autoimmune disorders, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or diseases caused by pathogens.
• the invention provides novel stabilized immune modulatory
• SIMRA RNA
• novel chemical entities according to the invention provide immune response inducing and/or enhancing compounds that are substantially more effective at inducing an immune response and substantially less susceptible to degradation.
• the methods according to the invention enable using SIMRA to modify the cytokine and/or chemokine profile for immunotherapy applications.
• the invention provides a SIMRA compound as an agonist for TLR8.
• the invention provides a SIMRA compound as an agonist for TLR7 and TLR8.
• the invention provides a SIMRA compound as an agonist for TLR7.
• the invention provides a SIMRA compound as an adjuvant.
• the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions.
• compositions comprise any one of the SIMRA compositions of the invention and a physiologically acceptable or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the invention provides a method for generating an immune response in a vertebrate, the method comprising administering to the vertebrate at least one of the SIMRA compounds according to the invention in a pharmaceutically effective amount.
• the invention provides a method for therapeutically treating a vertebrate having a disease or disorder where inducing and/or enhancing an immune response would be beneficial, for example cancer, autoimmune disorders, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or diseases caused by pathogens, such method comprising administering to the patient having such a disorder or disease at least one of the SIMRA compounds according to the invention in a pharmaceutically effective amount.
• the invention provides a method for preventing a disease or disorder in a vertebrate where inducing and/or enhancing an immune response would be beneficial, for example cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or diseases caused by a pathogen, such method comprising administering to a vertebrate that is susceptible to such a disorder or disease at least one of the SIMRA compounds according to the invention in a pharmaceutically effective amount.
• the invention provides a method of isolating cells capable of producing cytokine or chemokines (e.g. immune cells, PBMCs), culturing such cells under standard cell culture conditions, ex vivo treating such cells with at least one of the SIMRA compounds of the invention such that the isolated cells produce or secrete increased levels of cytokines or chemokines, and administering or re-administering the treated cells to a patient in need of cytokine or chemokine therapy for the prevention or treatment of disease.
• cytokine or chemokines e.g. immune cells, PBMCs
• the patient in need of cytokine or chemokine therapy for prevention or treatment of disease is administered the isolated, SIMRA-treated cells in combination with one or more SIMRA compounds.
• Figure 1 is a synthetic scheme for the parallel synthesis of SIMRA compounds of the invention.
• DMTr 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl
• CE cyanoethyl.
• FIG. 2A depicts NF -KB activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, the HEK293 cells were stimulated with 150 ⁇ g/ml of agonists of TLR8 for 18 hr, and the levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP (secreted form of human embryonic alkaline phosphatase) assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• SEAP secreted form of human embryonic alkaline phosphatase
• FIG. 2B depicts NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, the HEK293 cells were stimulated with 150 ⁇ g/ml of agonists of TLR8 for 20 hr and the levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• Figure 2C - 2E depict NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human
• TLR8 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, the HEK293 cells were stimulated with 150 ⁇ g/ml of agonists of TLR8 for 18 hr, and the levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• FIG. 2F depicts NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 were stimulated with 0, 20, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ⁇ g/ml of agonists for 18 hr. The levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• FIG. 2G depicts NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 were stimulated with 0, 20, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ⁇ g/ml of agonists for 18 hr. The levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• FIGS 2H, 2 J and 2L depict NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, HEK293 cells expressing human TLR8 were stimulated with 0, 20, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ⁇ g/ml of agonists for 18 hr. The levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response profile.
• FIGs 21, 2K and 2M depict NF- ⁇ B activity in HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 that were treated and analyzed according to example 2. Briefly, HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 were stimulated with 0, 20, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ⁇ g/ml of agonists for 18 hr. The levels of NF- ⁇ B were determined using SEAP assay. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated immune response.
• Figures 3A - 3C depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human
• PBMCs that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the PBMCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood and cultured with 50 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• Figures 4A - 4C depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human
• PBMCs that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the PBMCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood and cultured with 200 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• Figures 4D - 4AA depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human
• PBMCs that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the PBMCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood and cultured with increasing concentrations of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct, dose-dependent, TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• FIGS 5A - 5C depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that were isolated, treated, and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the pDCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood PBMCs and cultured with 50 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay for cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• pDCs human plasmacytoid dendritic cells
• Figure 5D depicts cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that were isolated, treated, and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the pDCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood PBMCs and cultured with a 50 ⁇ g/ml or 200 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay for cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• pDCs human plasmacytoid dendritic cells
• Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E and 6F depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the pDC were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood PBMCs and cultured with 200 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay for cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• Figure 6D depicts cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the pDC were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood PBMCs and cultured with 100 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay for cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• FIGS 7A - 7C depict cytokine and chemokine concentrations from human myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) that were treated and analyzed according to example 3. Briefly, the mDCs were isolated from freshly obtained healthy human volunteer's blood PBMCs and cultured with 50 ⁇ g/ml dose of TLR7/8 agonists for 24 hr, and supernatants were collected and analyzed by Luminex multiplex assay for cytokine and chemokine levels. The data demonstrate that administration of a SIMRA according to the invention generates a distinct TLR-mediated cytokine and chemokine profile.
• mDCs human myeloid dendritic cells
• Figures 1OA -1OH depict serum stability of exemplar SIMRA compounds from Table 2 that were treated according to example 5. Briefly, approximately 0.5 OD of exemplar SIMRA compounds were individually incubated in 1% human serum in PBS for 30 minute at 37 0 C. At the end of the 30 minute incubation, the SIMRA compound was analyzed on anion-ex change HPLC to determine the percentage of full-length SIMRA compound that remained as compared to the amount of SIMRA compound present before serum treatment.
• the invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligoribonucleotides as immune modulatory agents for immunotherapy applications.
• the invention provides RNA-based oligonucleotides with improved in vivo stability that modulate the immune response through TLR7 alone, TLR7 and TLR8 or TLR8 alone (SIMRA compounds).
• SIMRA compounds RNA-based oligonucleotides with improved in vivo stability that modulate the immune response through TLR7 alone, TLR7 and TLR8 or TLR8 alone
• SIMRA compounds RNA-based oligonucleotides with improved in vivo stability that modulate the immune response through TLR7 alone, TLR7 and TLR8 or TLR8 alone
• SIMRA compounds RNA-based oligonucleotides with improved in vivo stability that modulate the immune response through TLR7 alone, TLR7 and TLR8 or TLR8 alone
• SIMRA compounds RNA-based oligonucleotides with improved in vivo stability that modulate the
• the invention provides a diverse set of SIMRA compounds, each having its own unique immune regulatory characteristics.
• the scope and nature of the immune response can be customized for distinct medical indications by providing the SIMRA compound having the desired set of immune modulatory characteristics for that indication.
• the invention provides methods for using SIMRA compounds to enhance the immune response. Such methods will find use in immunotherapy applications such as, but not limited to, treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, asthma, respiratory allergies, food allergies, skin allergies, and bacteria, parasitic, and viral infections in adult and pediatric human and veterinary applications.
• the invention further provides novel SIMRA compounds having optimal levels of immune modulatory effect for immunotherapy and methods for making and using such compounds.
• SIMRA compounds of the invention are useful as adjuvants or in combination with an agent useful for treating the disease or condition that does not diminish the immune modulatory effect of the SIMRA compound for prevention and treatment of diseases.
• 2'-substituted ribonucleoside or "2 '-substituted arabinoside” generally includes ribonucleosides or arabinonucleosides in which the hydroxyl group at the 2' position of the pentose moiety is substituted to produce a 2 '-substituted or 2'-O-substituted ribonucleoside.
• such substitution is with a lower hydrocarbyl group containing 1-6 saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms, with a halogen atom, or with an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, wherein such hydrocarbyl, or aryl group may be unsubstituted or may be substituted, e.g., with halo, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, carboxyl, carboalkoxy, or amino groups.
• Arabinonucleosides of the invention include, but are not limited to, arabino-G, arabino-C, arabino-U, arabino-A.
• Examples of 2'-0-substituted ribonucleosides or 2'-O-substituted-arabinosides include, without limitation 2'-amino, 2'-fluoro, 2'-allyl, 2'-O-alkyl and 2'-propargyl ribonucleosides or arabinosides, 2'-O-methylribonucleosides or 2'-O-methylarabinosides and 2'-O- methoxyethoxyribonucleosides or 2'-O-methoxyethoxyarabinosides.
• 3' when used directionally, generally refers to a region or position in a polynucleotide or oligonucleotide 3' (toward the 3' position of the sugar) from another region or position in the same polynucleotide or oligonucleotide.
• the term " 5'" when used directionally, generally refers to a region or position in a polynucleotide or oligonucleotide 5' (toward the 5' position of the sugar) from another region or position in the same polynucleotide or oligonucleotide.
• the term "about” generally means that the exact number is not critical.
• the number of ribonucleoside residues in the oligoribonucleotides is not critical, and oligoribonucleotides having one or two fewer ribonucleoside or arabinonucleoside residues, or from one to several additional ribonucleoside or arabinonucleoside residues are contemplated as equivalents of each of the embodiments described above.
• adjuvant generally refers to a substance which, when added to an immunogenic agent such as vaccine or antigen, enhances or potentiates an immune response to the agent in the recipient host upon exposure to the mixture.
• airway inflammation generally includes, without limitation, inflammation in the respiratory tract caused by infectious allergens, including asthma.
• allergen generally refers to an antigen or antigenic portion of a molecule, usually a protein, which elicits an allergic response upon exposure to a subject. Typically the subject is allergic to the allergen as indicated, for instance, by the wheal and flare test or any method known in the art. A molecule is said to be an allergen even if only a small subset of subjects exhibit an allergic (e.g., IgE) immune response upon exposure to the molecule.
• allergy generally includes, without limitation, food allergies, respiratory allergies, and skin allergies.
• antigen generally refers to a substance that is recognized and selectively bound by an antibody or by a T cell antigen receptor.
• Antigens may include but are not limited to peptides, proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides, and combinations thereof. Antigens may be natural or synthetic and generally induce an immune response that is specific for that antigen.
• autoimmune disorder generally refers to disorders in which "self antigen undergo attack by the immune system.
• Blocking 3' or 5' degradation or “cap” or “capping” means that the 3' or 5' end of the oligoribonucleotide is attached to another molecule (e.g linker or other non-RNA nucleotide) to sufficiently inhibit nuclease degradation (e.g. 3' exonuclease degradation).
• another molecule e.g linker or other non-RNA nucleotide
• carrier generally encompasses any excipient, diluent, filler, salt, buffer, stabilizer, solubilizer, oil, lipid, lipid containing vesicle, microspheres, liposomal encapsulation, or other material well known in the art for use in pharmaceutical formulations. It will be understood that the characteristics of the carrier, excipient, or diluent will depend on the route of administration for a particular application. The preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable formulations containing these materials is described in, e.g., Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, ed. A. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1990.
• co-administration generally refers to the administration of at least two different substances sufficiently close in time to modulate an immune response. Coadministration includes simultaneous administration of at least two different substances.
• complementary generally means having the ability to hybridize to a nucleic acid. Such hybridization is ordinarily the result of hydrogen bonding between complementary strands, preferably to form Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen base pairs, although other modes of hydrogen bonding, as well as base stacking can also lead to hybridization.
• the term "immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide” generally refers to an oligoribonucleotide that induces or represses an immune response when administered to a vertebrate, such as a fish, fowl or mammal.
• the term “in combination with” generally means in the course of treating the same disease in the same patient, and includes administering a SIMRA compound and an agent useful for treating the disease or condition that does not diminish the immune modulatory effect of the SIMRA compound in any order, including simultaneous administration or co-administration, as well as temporally spaced order from a few seconds up to several days apart. Such combination treatment may also include more than a single administration of a SIMRA compound, and/or independently the agent. The administration of the SIMRA compound and the agent may be by the same or different routes.
• the term "individual” or “subject” generally refers to a mammal, such as a human. Mammals generally include, but are not limited to, humans, non-human primates, rats, mice, cats, dogs, horses, cattle, cows, pigs, sheep, and rabbits.
• linear synthesis generally refers to a synthesis that starts at one end of the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide and progresses linearly to the other end. Linear synthesis permits incorporation of either identical or non-identical (in terms of length, base composition and/or chemical modifications incorporated) monomeric units into the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides.
• linker generally refers to any moiety that can be attached to an oligoribonucleotide by way of covalent or non-covalent bonding through a sugar, a base, or the backbone.
• the linker can be used to attach two or more nucleosides or can be attached to the 5' and/or 3' terminal nucleotide in the oligoribonucleotide.
• Such linker can be either a non-nucleotidic linker or a nucleotidic linker.
• modified nucleoside generally is a nucleoside that includes a modified heterocyclic base, a modified sugar moiety, or any combination thereof.
• the modified nucleoside is a non-natural pyrimidine or purine nucleoside, as herein described.
• a modified nucleoside, a pyrimidine or purine analog or non-naturally occurring pyrimidine or purine can be used interchangeably and refers to a nucleoside that includes a non-naturally occurring base and/or non-naturally occurring sugar moiety.
• a base is considered to be non-natural if it is not guanine, cytosine, adenine or uracil.
• the modified nucleoside is a 2'-substituted ribonucleoside an arabinonucleoside or a 2'-deoxy-2'- substituted-arabinoside that can be substituted into selected positions of the oligoribonucleotide to improve stability without interfering with TLR7 or TLR8 activity.
• modulation or “stimulation” generally refers to change, such as an increase in a response or qualitative difference in a response, which can arise from eliciting and/or enhancement of a response.
• non-nucleotidic linker generally refers to a chemical moiety other than a nucleotidic linkage that can be attached to an oligoribonucleotide by way of covalent or non-covalent bonding.
• non-nucleotidic linker is from about 2 angstroms to about 200 angstroms in length, and may be either in a cis or trans orientation.
• nucleotidic linkage generally refers to a chemical linkage to join two nucleosides through their sugars (e.g. 3 '-3', 2 '-3', 2 '-5', 3 '-5') consisting of a phosphate, non-phosphate, charged, or neutral group (e.g., phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate) between adjacent nucleosides.
• sugars e.g. 3 '-3', 2 '-3', 2 '-5', 3 '-5'
• neutral group e.g., phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate
• peptide generally refers to polypeptides that are of sufficient length and composition to affect a biological response, e.g., antibody production or cytokine activity whether or not the peptide is a hapten.
• peptide may include modified amino acids (whether or not naturally or non-naturally occurring), where such modifications include, but are not limited to, phosphorylation, glycosylation, pegylation, lipidization, and methylation.
• pharmaceutically acceptable or “physiologically acceptable” generally refer to a material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of a compound according to the invention and that is compatible with a biological system such as a cell, cell culture, tissue, or organism.
• a biological system such as a cell, cell culture, tissue, or organism.
• the biological system is a living organism, such as a vertebrate.
• a "pharmaceutically effective amount” generally refers to an amount sufficient to affect a desired biological effect, such as a beneficial result. Thus, a “pharmaceutically effective amount” will depend upon the context in which it is being administered. A pharmaceutically effective amount may be administered in one or more prophylactic or therapeutic administrations.
• SIMRA generally refers to stabilized immune modulatory RNA compounds which are recognized as ligands by TLR7 and/or TLR8, wherein the compounds may contain single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and/or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and modifications to protect or stabilize its 3' ends (e.g. by blocking 3' degradation or by capping the 3' ends or by linking the 3' ends of two or more oligoribonucleotides), provided that the SIMRA is or would be more stable in vivo than an unmodified oligoribonucleotide and, thus, affect its immune modulatory capabilities.
• the SIMRA may contain modified oligoribonucleotides.
• the SIMRA compound may also contain modifications to protect its 5' ends (e.g., by blocking 5' degradation or capping the 5' ends) to further improve the stability of the oligoribonucleotide(s).
• the SIMRA can be linear or branched, with nucleic acids being polymers of ribonucleosides linked through, for example, phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, or alternate linkages.
• a SIMRA may consist of a purine (adenine (A) or guanine (G) or derivatives thereof (e.g. 7-deaza-G, arabino-G and arabino-A)) or pyrimidine (cytosine (C) or uracil (U), or derivatives thereof (e.g. arabino-C and arabino-U)) base covalently attached to a ribose sugar residue or a derivative thereof.
• treatment generally refers to an approach intended to obtain a beneficial or desired result, which may include alleviation of symptoms, or delaying or ameliorating a disease progression.
• viral disease generally refers to a disease that has a virus as its etiologic agent, including but not limited to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and herpes zoster.
• the invention provides novel SIMRA compounds.
• modification of an immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide to protect its 3' end e.g. by blocking 3' degradation or capping the 3' end or by linking the 3' ends of two or more oligoribonucleotides
• this protection surprisingly improves the stability of the oligoribonucleotides, removing the need for lipid association or other means of protection.
• blocking 5' degradation or capping the 5' end in addition to or in combination with protecting the 3 '-end can also improve the stability of the oligoribonucleotide.
• TLR8 activation of TLR8 and induction of unique immune responses (e.g. changes in cytokine and/or chemokine profiles) with novel SIMRA compounds is demonstrated.
• novel SIMRA compounds incorporation of certain chemical modification(s) in such human TLR8 activating RNAs can also activate TLR7, resulting in distinct immune response(s) and a change in cytokine and/or chemokine profiles.
• TLR8 and/or TLR7 cytokine and/or chemokine profiles associated therewith can be modulated by using modified chemical structures, including modified bases, modified sugars, backbone, linkers, linkages, and/or caps as part of an immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide.
• the invention provides an immune modulatory compound comprising at least two RNA-based oligonucleotides linked at their 3' ends, or an internucleoside linkage or a functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotidic linker.
• Such embodiment of the invention may have at least one accessible 5' end, which may be capped or uncapped. It has been determined that this structure provides further stability (e.g. inhibition of exonuclease activity) to the SIMRA compounds without the need for lipid association or other protection.
• An "accessible 5' end” means that the 5 '-terminus of the SIMRA is not modified in such a way as to prevent the SIMRA compound from modulating an immune response through TLR7 and/or TLR8.
• the immune modulatory compound has a structure including, but not limited to, those as detailed in Formulas I - X in Table 1.
• Domains A, B, C, and D may be independently from about 2 to about 35 ribonucleotides, and in some embodiments from about 2 to about 20, or from about 2 to about 12, or from about 2 to about 11 or from about 2 to about 8 ribonucleotides in length. Domains A, B, C, and/or D may or may not be identical. Domains A, B, C, and D may independently be 5 '-3' or 2 '-5' RNA having or not having a self-complementary domain, a homo or hetero ribonucleotide sequence, or a linker, "n" may be from 1 to an unlimited number.
• X is a linker joining or capping Domains A, B, C, and/or D that may be through a 3' or 5' linkage, a phosphate group, a nucleobase, a non-RNA nucleotide, or a non- nucleotidic linker that may be aliphatic, aromatic, aryl, cyclic, chiral, achiral, a peptide, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a fatty acid, mono- tri- or hexapolyethylene glycol, or a heterocyclic moiety, or combinations thereof.
• the invention provides a SIMRA compound comprising at least two oligoribonucleotides linked by a non-nucleotidic linker, wherein the sequences of the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides may be at least partially self- complementary.
• the complementary sequence of the oligoribonucleotides allows for intermolecular hydrogen bonding thereby giving the oligoribonucleotides secondary structure. Additional oligoribonucleotides can bind together thereby creating a chain, or multimers, of oligoribonucleotides according to the invention.
• the plurality of immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides may, but need not, include sequences that are at least partially complementary to one another.
• the plurality of immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides includes an immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide having a first sequence and an immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide having a second sequence, wherein the first sequence and the second sequence are at least 50 percent complementary.
• two 8-mers that are at least 50 percent complementary they may form 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 G-C, A-U, and/or G-U wobble basepairs.
• Such basepairs may, but need not necessarily, involve bases located at either end of the complementary immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides.
• the degree of complementarity may depend on the alignment between immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides, and such alignment may or may not include single- or multiple-nucleoside overhangs. In other embodiments, the degree of complementarity is at least 60 percent, at least 70 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, or even 100 percent.
• the depicted immune modulatory compounds may have secondary structure because the sequences of the domains are complementary allowing for intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
• additional linked RNA-based oligonucleotides can bind through intermolecular hydrogen bonding thereby creating a chain, or multimers, wherein any number of linked RNA-based oligonucleotides may be incorporated.
• the invention provides an immune modulatory compound comprising at least two RNA-based oligonucleotides linked at their 3' or 5' ends, or through an internucleoside linkage or a functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non- nucleotidic linker, and wherein a linker (e.g. cap) is attached to at least one 5' end.
• a linker e.g. cap
• this structure provides further stability (e.g. inhibition of exonuclease activity) to the SIMRA compounds.
• the 5 '-terminus of the SIMRA is not modified in such a way as to prevent the SIMRA compound from modulating an immune response through TLR7 and/or TLR8.
• the oligoribonucleotides each independently have from about 2 to about 35 ribonucleoside residues.
• the oligoribonucleotide can independently be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35 ribonucleotides long.
• the oligoribonucleotide is from about 4 to about 30 ribonucleoside residues, more preferably from about 4 to about 20 ribonucleoside residues or from about 4 to about 11 ribonucleoside residues.
• the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides comprise oligoribonucleotides having from about 1 to about 18, or from about 1 to about 11, or from about 5 to about 14 ribonucleoside residues. In some embodiments, one or more of the oligoribonucleotides have 11 ribonucleotides or from about 8 to about 14 ribonucleotides or from about 10 to about 12 ribonucleotides. In the context of immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides, preferred embodiments have from about 1 to about 35 ribonucleotides, preferably from about 5 to about 26 ribonucleotides, more preferably from about 13 to about 26 ribonucleotides. Preferably, the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide comprises at least one phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, or phosphorodithioate interribonucleoside linkage.
• each ribonucleoside unit includes a heterocyclic base and a pentofuranosyl, trehalose, arabinose, 2 '-deoxy-2' -substituted arabinose, 2'-O- substituted ribose or arabinose, or hexose sugar group.
• the ribonucleoside residues can be coupled to each other by any of the numerous known interribonucleoside linkages.
• interribonucleoside linkages include, without limitation, phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonate, alkylphosphonothioate, phosphotriester, phosphoramidate, siloxane, carbonate, carboalkoxy, acetamidate, carbamate, morpholino, borano, thioether, bridged phosphoramidate, bridged methylene phosphonate, bridged phosphorothioate, and sulfone interribonucleoside linkages.
• Possible sites of conjugation for the ribonucleotide are indicated in Formula XI, below, wherein B represents a heterocyclic base.
• SIMRA compounds of the invention can include naturally occurring ribonucleosides, modified ribonucleosides, or mixtures thereof.
• novel SIMRA compounds are recognized by human
• TLR8 and incorporation of certain chemical modification(s) in such human TLR8 activating RNAs can causes them to be recognized by human TLR7 and induce immune responses.
• chemical modifications include, but are not limited to, guanine analogues such as 7- deaza-G, ara-G, 6-thio-G, Inosine, Iso-G, loxoribine, TOG(7-thio-8-oxo)-G, 8-bromo-G, 8- hydroxy-G, 5-aminoformycin B, Oxoformycin, 7-methyl-G, 9-p-chlorophenyl-8-aza-G, 9- phenyl-G, 9-hexyl-guanine, 7-deaza-9-benzyl-G, 6-Chloro-7-deazaguanine, 6-methoxy-7- deazaguanine, 8-Aza-7-deaza-G(PPG), 2-(Dimethylamino)guanosine, 7-Methyl-6-
• Chemical modifications also include, but are not limited to, adenine analogues such as 9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)adenine, 2-Amino-N2- O-, methyladenosine, 8-Aza-7-deaza-A, 7-deaza-A, ara-A, Vidarabine, 2-Aminoadenosine, Nl-Methyladenosine, 8-Azaadenosine, 5-Iodotubercidin.
• adenine analogues such as 9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)adenine, 2-Amino-N2- O-, methyladenosine, 8-Aza-7-deaza-A, 7-deaza-A, ara-A, Vidarabine, 2-Aminoadenosine, Nl-Methyladenosine, 8-Azaadenosine, 5-Iodotubercidin.
• Chemical modifications also include, but are not limited to, cytosine and uracil analogues such as pseudouridine, ara-C, ara-U, 5-methylcytidine, 4-thiouridine, N4-ethyluridine, zebularine, 5-aminoallyluridine, N3- methyluridine, 5-fluorouridine.
• cytosine and uracil analogues such as pseudouridine, ara-C, ara-U, 5-methylcytidine, 4-thiouridine, N4-ethyluridine, zebularine, 5-aminoallyluridine, N3- methyluridine, 5-fluorouridine.
• SIMRA compounds that comprise at least two oligoribonucleotides linked covalently or non- covalently at their 3'- or 2 '-ends or functionalized ribose or functionalized ribonucleobase via a non-nucleotidic or a nucleotidic linker.
• linkers are set forth below.
• Non-covalent linkages include, but are not limited to, electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interactions, ⁇ -stacking interactions and hydrogen bonding.
• the non-nucleotidic linker is an organic moiety having functional groups that permit attachment to the oligoribonucleotide. Such attachment preferably is by a stable covalent linkage.
• the linker may be attached to any suitable position on the nucleotide.
• the linker is attached to the 3'-hydroxyl.
• the linker preferably comprises a hydroxyl functional group, which preferably is attached to the 3'-hydroxyl by means of a phosphate -based linkage like, phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, methylphosphonate or non-phosphate-based linkages.
• the non-nucleotidic linker is a small molecule, macromolecule or biomolecule, including, without limitation, polypeptides, antibodies, lipids, antigens, allergens, and oligosaccharides.
• the non-nucleotidic linker is a small molecule.
• a small molecule is an organic moiety having a molecular weight of less than 1,000 Da. In some embodiments, the small molecule has a molecular weight of less than 750 Da.
• the small molecule is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, either of which optionally can include, either in the linear chain connecting the oligoribonucleotides or appended to it, one or more functional groups including, but not limited to, hydroxy, amino, thiol, thioether, ether, amide, thioamide, ester, urea, or thiourea.
• the small molecule can be cyclic or acyclic.
• Examples of small molecule linkers include, but are not limited to, amino acids, carbohydrates, cyclodextrins, adamantane, cholesterol, haptens and antibiotics.
• the term "small molecule" is not intended to include a nucleoside.
• the non-nucleotidic linker is an alkyl linker or amino linker.
• the alkyl linker may be branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, chiral, achiral or racemic mixture.
• the alkyl linkers can have from about 2 to about 18 carbon atoms. In some embodiments such alkyl linkers have from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms.
• Some alkyl linkers include one or more functional groups including, but not limited to, hydroxy, amino, thiol, thioether, ether, amide, thioamide, ester, urea, and thioether.
• such alkyl linkers may include peptides or amino acids.
• the non-nucleotidic linker may include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 2.
• the small molecule linker is glycerol or a glycerol homo log of the formula HO-(CH 2 ) O -CH(OH)-(CH 2 ) P -OH, wherein o and p independently are integers from 1 to about 6, from 1 to about 4, or from 1 to about 3.
• the small molecule linker is a derivative of 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane. Some such derivatives have the formula
• Some non-nucleotidic linkers according to the invention permit attachment of more than two oligoribonucleotides, as depicted in Table 1.
• the small molecule linker glycerol has three hydroxyl groups to which oligoribonucleotides may be covalently attached.
• Some immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides according to the invention therefore, comprise more than two oligoribonucleotides (e.g., a Domain C and so on, the additional domains comprise oligoribonucleotides as defined above for Domains A, B, C, and D) linked at their 3' ends to a non-nucleotidic linker.
• a SIMRA may contain three or more oligoribonucleotides linked at their 3 ' or 5' ends, or through an internucleoside linkage or a functionalized nucleobase or sugar to two or more linkers, as depicted in Table 1.
• the oligoribonucleotides of this aspect of the invention may have the same or different sequences.
• the linkers of this aspect of the invention may be the same or different.
• the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides of the invention may conveniently be synthesized using an automated synthesizer and phosphoramidite approach. In some embodiments, the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides are synthesized by a linear synthesis approach.
• An alternative mode of synthesis is "parallel synthesis", in which synthesis proceeds outward from a central linker moiety (see Figure 1).
• a solid support attached linker can be used for parallel synthesis, as is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,912,332.
• a universal solid support such as phosphate attached controlled pore glass support can be used.
• Parallel synthesis of immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides has several advantages over linear synthesis: (1) parallel synthesis permits the incorporation of identical monomeric units; (2) unlike in linear synthesis, both (or all) the monomeric units are synthesized at the same time, thereby the number of synthetic steps and the time required for the synthesis is the same as that of a monomeric unit; and (3) the reduction in synthetic steps improves purity and yield of the final immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide product.
• the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides may conveniently be deprotected with concentrated ammonia solution or as recommended by the phosphoramidite supplier, if a modified nucleoside is incorporated.
• the product immune modulatory oligoribonucleotide is preferably purified by reversed phase HPLC, detritylated, desalted and dialyzed.
• Table 3 shows RNA- based immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides according to the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all nucleosides are ribonucleosides.
• the invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a SIMRA compound according to the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the invention provides methods for generating TLR7 and/or
• TLR8 mediated immune responses in a vertebrate such methods comprising administering to the vertebrate a SIMRA compound according to the invention.
• the vertebrate is a mammal.
• SIMRA compound is administered to a vertebrate in need of immune modulation.
• the invention provides methods for therapeutically treating a patient having a disease or disorder, such methods comprising administering to the patient a SIMRA compound according to the invention.
• the disease or disorder to be treated is one in which an immune modulation may be desirable.
• an immune modulation may be desirable.
• cancer an autoimmune disorder, infectious disease, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, allergy, asthma, or a disease caused by a pathogen.
• Pathogens include bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, viroids and prions.
• the invention provides methods for preventing a disease or disorder, such methods comprising administering to the patient SIMRA compound according to the invention.
• the disease or disorder to be prevented is one in which an immune modulation may be desirable.
• an immune modulation may be desirable.
• cancer an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, or a disease caused by a pathogen.
• Pathogens include bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, viroids, and prions.
• the invention provides a method of preventing or treating a disorder, such methods comprises isolating cells capable of producing cytokines or chemokines including, but not limited to, immune cells, B cells, T-regulatory cells, B-cells, PBMCs, pDCs and lymphoid cells; culturing such cells under standard cell culture conditions, treating such cells ex vivo with a SIMRA such that the isolated cells produce or secrete increased levels of cytokines or chemokines, and administering or re-administering the treated cells to a patient in need of cytokine or chemokine therapy for the prevention or treatment of disease.
• This aspect of the invention would be in accordance with standard adoptive cellular immunotherapy techniques to produce activated immune cells.
• the cells capable of producing cytokines or chemokines may be isolated from subjects with or without a disease or disorder. Such isolation may include identification and selection and could be performed using standard cell isolation procedures, including those set forth in the specific examples below. Such isolated cells are cultured according to standard cell culturing procedures and using standard cell culture conditions, which may include the culturing procedures and conditions set forth in the specific examples below.
• the isolated cells are cultured in the presence of at least one SIMRA, in an amount and for a time period sufficient to induce, increase or enhance the production and/or secretion of cytokines and/or chemokines as compared to the isolated cells cultured in the absence of such one or more SIMRA.
• time may be from minutes, to hours, to days.
• Such isolated, SIMRA-treated cells may find use following re-administration to the donor or administration to a second histologically compatible patient, wherein such donor or second patient are in need of induced, increased or enhanced production and/or secretion of cytokines and/or chemokines.
• re-administration to a donor or administration to a second patient having cancer an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, allergy, asthma, or a disease caused by a pathogen.
• re- administration or administration may be accomplished using various modes, including catheter or injection administration or any other effective route.
• This aspect of the invention may also find use in patients who may have a limited or incomplete ability to mount an immune response or are immune compromised (e.g. patient infected with HIV and bone marrow transplant patients).
• This aspect of the invention may also find use in combination with SIMRA administration to the patient administered or re-administered the isolated, SIMRA-treated cells.
• the SIMRA compound can variously act by producing direct immune modulatory effects alone or in combination with any other agent useful for treating or preventing the disease or condition that does not diminish the immune modulatory effect of the SIMRA compound.
• the agent(s) useful for treating or preventing the disease or condition includes, but is not limited to, vaccines, antigens, antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies, cytotoxic agents, allergens, antibiotics, siRNA, microRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, TLR agonist (e.g.
• agonists of TLR9 and/or agonists of TLR7 and/or agonists of TLR8) chemotherapeutic agents (both traditional chemotherapy and modern targeted therapies), targeted therapeutic agents, activated cells, peptides, proteins, gene therapy vectors, peptide vaccines, protein vaccines, DNA vaccines, adjuvants, and co- stimulatory molecules (e.g. cytokines, chemokines, protein ligands, trans-activating factors, peptides or peptides comprising modified amino acids), or combinations thereof.
• the SIMRA compound may be administered in combination with one or more chemotherapeutic compound, targeted therapeutic agent and/or monoclonal antibody.
• the agent can include DNA vectors encoding for antigen or allergen.
• the SIMRA compounds can be administered in combination with other adjuvants to enhance the specificity or magnitude of the immune response to the SIMRA compound.
• administration of SIMRA compound can be by any suitable route, including, without limitation, parenteral, mucosal delivery, oral, sublingual, transdermal, topical, inhalation, intranasal, aerosol, intraocular, intratracheal, intrarectal, vaginal, by gene gun, dermal patch or in eye drop or mouthwash form.
• Administration of the therapeutic compositions of SIMRA compound can be carried out using known procedures using a pharmaceutically effective amount and for periods of time effective to reduce symptoms or surrogate markers of the disease.
• a pharmaceutically effective amount of a SIMRA compound for treating a disease and/or disorder could be that amount necessary to alleviate or reduce the symptoms, or delay or ameliorate a tumor, cancer, or bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
• a pharmaceutically effective amount for use as a vaccine adjuvant could be that amount useful for boosting a subject's immune response to a vaccine or antigen.
• a pharmaceutically effective amount of a SIMRA compound and antigen is an amount sufficient to achieve the desired modulation as compared to the immune response obtained when the antigen is administered alone.
• the effective amount for any particular application can vary depending on such factors as the disease or condition being treated, the particular oligonucleotide being administered, the size of the subject, or the severity of the disease or condition.
• One of ordinary skill in the art can empirically determine the pharmaceutically effective amount of a particular oligonucleotide without necessitating undue experimentation.
• the therapeutic composition When administered systemically, the therapeutic composition is preferably administered at a sufficient dosage to attain a blood level of SIMRA compound from about 0.0001 micromolar to about 10 micromolar. For localized administration, much lower concentrations than this may be effective, and much higher concentrations may be tolerated.
• a total dosage of SIMRA compound ranges from about 0.001 mg per patient per day to about 200 mg per kg body weight per day. It may be desirable to administer simultaneously, or sequentially a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the therapeutic compositions of the invention to an individual as a single treatment episode.
• the SIMRA compound may optionally be linked to one or more allergens and/or antigens (self or foreign), an immunogenic protein or peptide, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), cholera toxin B subunit, or any other immunogenic carrier protein.
• SIMRA can also be used in combination with other compounds (e.g. adjuvants) including, without limitation, TLR agonists (e.g. TLR2 agonists and TLR9 agonists), Freund's incomplete adjuvant, KLH, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), alum, and saponins, including QS-21 and imiquimod, or combinations thereof.
• TLR agonists e.g. TLR2 agonists and TLR9 agonists
• MPL monophosphoryl lipid A
• saponins including QS-21 and imiquimod, or combinations thereof.
• the methods according to this aspect of the invention are useful for model studies of the immune system.
• the methods are also useful for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of human or animal disease.
• the methods are useful for pediatric and veterinary vaccine applications.
• the immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides were chemically synthesized using phosphoramidite chemistry on automated DNA/RNA synthesizer.
• N-acetyl protected (Except U) 2'-0-TBDMS RNA monomers, A, G, C and U, were purchased from Sigma- Aldrich. 7-deaza-G, inosine was purchased from ChemGenes Corporation. 0.25M 5- ethylthio-1H-tetrazole, PAC- anhydride Cap A and Cap B were purchased from Glen Research.
• Immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides were synthesized at 1-2 ⁇ M scale using a standard RNA synthesis protocol. Cleavage and base deprotection
• Immune modulatory oligoribonucleotides were cleaved from solid support and the protecting groups of exo-cyclic-amines were removed in methylamine and ammonium hydroxide solution. The resulting solution was dried completely in a SpeedVac.
• RNAse-free water was added to make final volume of 10ml.
• TLR8 cells ( Invivogen, San Diego, CA) were cultured in 48-well plates in 250 ⁇ l/well DMEM supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS in a 5% CO 2 incubator.
• HEK293 or HEK293XL cells stably expressing human TLR7 or TLR8
• the diluted DNA and lipofectamine were mixed and the mixtures were incubated at room temperature for 20 minutes. Aliquots of 25 ⁇ l of the DNA/lipofectamine mixture containing 100 ng of plasmid DNA and 1 ⁇ l of lipofectamine were added to each well of the cell culture plate, and the cultures were continued for 4 hours.
• HEK293 or HEK29XL cells expressing human TLR7 or TLR8 were stimulated with 0, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 300 ⁇ g/ml of agonists of TLR7 or TLR8, SIMRAs, and the cultures were continued for 18 hours - 20 hours. At the end of SIMRA treatment, 30 ⁇ l of culture supernatant was taken from each treatment and used for SEAP assay following manufacturer's protocol (Invivogen).
• SEAP secreted form of human embryonic alkaline phosphatase assay
• PBMCs Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• PBMCs Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• CBR Laboratories CBR Laboratories, Boston, MA
• pDCs were isolated from PBMCs by positive selection using the BDCA4 cell isolation kits (Miltenyi Biotec) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Human mDC isolation
• PBMCs Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• CBR Laboratories CBR Laboratories, Boston, MA
• mDCs Myeloid dendritic cells
• Luminex multiplex assays were performed using Biosource human multiplex cytokine assay kits on Luminex 100/200 instrument and the data were analyzed using StarStation software supplied by Applied Cytometry Systems (Sacramento, CA).
• mice were injected subcutaneously (s.c) with individual stabilized immune modulatory RNA-based oligonucleotides from Table 3 at 25 mg/kg (single dose). Serum was collected by retro-orbital bleeding 2 hr after immune modulatory oligonucleotide administration and cytokine and chemokine levels were determined by sandwich ELISA or Luminex multiplex assays. The results are shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B and demonstrate that in vivo administration of SIMRA oligonucleotides according to the invention generates unique cytokine and chemokine profiles. All reagents, including cytokine and chemokine antibodies and standards were purchased from PharMingen. (San Diego, CA).
• SIMRA compound Approximately 0.5 OD of exemplar SIMRA compounds from Table 3 was individually incubated in 1% human serum in PBS for 30 minute at 37 0 C. Following 30 minutes of incubation in 1% human serum, the SIMRA compound was analyzed on anion- exchange HPLC to determine the percentage of full-length SIMRA compound that remained as compared to the amount of SIMRA compound present before serum treatment. The results are shown in Figures 1OA — 1OH and demonstrate that chemical modifications according to the invention made to RNA-based compounds can enhance their stability. EQUIVALENTS

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