WO2016103703A1 - 非凝集性免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド - Google Patents
非凝集性免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド Download PDFInfo
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Definitions
- the present invention relates to a non-aggregating immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and more particularly to a non-aggregating CpG type immunostimulating oligonucleotide delivery agent.
- the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide induces an innate immune response in a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9-dependent manner and is administered with a vaccine antigen to enhance the immune effect of the vaccine, or an innate immune response elicited by itself It is expected as an immunomodulatory drug.
- TLR Toll-like receptor
- D type which is another type, is known to mainly induce IFN- ⁇ production although it is insoluble in physiological saline, and has biological activity different from that of K type. However, since it is insoluble in physiological saline, its clinical application has not progressed.
- a D-type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide soluble in physiological saline has been developed. This is believed to facilitate clinical application of D-type immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.
- Immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides have been developed and used as TLR9-dependent innate immune activators and vaccine adjuvants for over 10 years [Non-patent Document 1]. Based on their backbone and sequence characteristics, immunostimulated ODNs can be classified into four different types (or classes): A / D, B / K, C and P type ODNs [2] Non-Patent Document 3].
- a / D type ODN mostly phosphodiester backbone with poly G tail at the 3 'end
- IFN interferon
- pDC plasmacytoid dendritic cells
- B / K type ODN activates B cells and IL-6 production, and C type ODN can stimulate both IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production, but C IFN- ⁇ induction by type ODN is less to a degree than that by A / D type ODN.
- This P-type ODN contains two palindromic sequences with a cytokine profile similar to C-type ODN, but induces higher IFN- ⁇ production than C-type ODN [non-patent Reference 4].
- a number of different immunostimulatory ODNs have been developed, but the most characteristic difference among these ODNs is their IFN- ⁇ induction profile. In this sense, A / D (high IFN- ⁇ profile) and B / K (low IFN- ⁇ , high IL-6 profile) type ODNs are considered two different typical prototypes of immunostimulatory ODNs. [Non-Patent Document 5]. Recent microarray studies have also identified overlapping but different gene signatures between A / D type ODN and B / K type ODN [6].
- a / D type ODN was mainly characterized by sustained induction of type I IFN, while B / K type ODN was significantly associated with resistance to bacterial infections such as IL-1 ⁇ and IL-6 A number of genes were induced [Non-Patent Document 6]. These differences in in vitro profiles may reflect the differences observed in vivo when utilizing these ODNs as vaccine adjuvants or single agent immunotherapeutics. In the case of the malaria vaccine, K3 (B / K type ODN) showed better adjuvant properties than D35 (A / D type ODN) in terms of antibody production when added to SE36 / AHG immunization of cynomolgus monkeys [non-patent literature. 7].
- a / D type ODN induced a protective immune response with heat-killed Leishmania / AHG vaccine in rhesus monkeys better than B / K type ODN [8].
- a / D type ODN also showed better potential than B / K type ODN in both healthy and SIV infected rhesus monkey models [ Non-patent document 9].
- administration of B / K type ODN promoted the pathology of cutaneous leishmaniasis [9].
- a / D type ODN The strong IFN- ⁇ induction by A / D type ODN is closely related to the higher order structure of this type of ODN.
- the poly G tail of A / D type ODN forms a guanine quadruplex DNA structure in a salt solution, resulting in the formation of nanoparticles / aggregates [Non-Patent Document 10; Non-Patent Document 11; Non-Patent Document 12; Non-patent document 13].
- P-type ODNs that induce IFN- ⁇ formed dimeric structures or aggregates [14]. It has been repeatedly reported that the formation of aggregates is essential for high IFN- ⁇ production by A / D type ODN [Non-patent document 12; Non-patent document 13]. It is a big barrier to application.
- Non-patent Document 15 Non-Patent Document 16.
- This modification prevents the formation of aggregates in saline prior to administration, but after in vivo administration, it is possible to form guanine quadruplexes by temperature-dependent cleavage of the protecting group [Non-Patent Documents]. 15; Non-patent document 16].
- This pyrolyzable pro-D type ODN strategy is a promising method for clinically applicable A / D type ODNs, but the feasibility of their clinical application needs to be evaluated. Currently, no human clinical trials have been reported.
- the present inventors developed a non-aggregating A / D type ODN by modifying D35, which is a typical example of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and examined its physical and biological properties. It was completed based on the knowledge obtained by doing.
- the present invention also demonstrates that the simple modification of D35, such as the addition of phosphorothioate polydeoxynucleotides to the 3 ′ end, strongly prevents the formation of aggregates in saline, but its high IFN- ⁇ It was completed based on the knowledge that the inductive characteristic was found to be maintained.
- the present inventors started with an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide such as D35, which is a representative example selected as one of the D-type and the most active CpG-ODN.
- D35 shows preferential induction of IFN- ⁇ , but when dissolved in a salt solution such as physiological saline, it rapidly aggregates and becomes a translucent gel. For this reason, it was found in the present invention that it is not suitable for actual medical use and needs to be improved. Therefore, the present inventors further investigated and found that the dG continuous region on the 3 ′ end side strongly influences gelation from the structure of D35, and from these information, the present inventors have used dG as another nucleic acid.
- the present invention provides the following. (1) An immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid drug delivery agent comprising a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- nucleic acid prevents formation of a higher-order aggregate caused by guanine.
- the phosphorothioated nucleotide content in the nucleic acid is about 25% or more.
- phosphorothioated nucleotide content in the nucleic acid is about 33% or more.
- the content of phosphorothioated nucleotides in the nucleic acid is about 50% or more.
- the biologically active portion includes the core portion having the biological activity of an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, or the full length of a B / K type, C type, or P type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- the delivery agent according to any one of the above items.
- the biologically active portion is a core portion of D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCA) (SEQ ID NO: 22), a core portion of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56)) or a core portion of A2336 (ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)
- the delivery agent according to any of the above items, comprising: (14) An immunostimulant comprising a core portion having biological activity of an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- the immunostimulator according to any one of the above items wherein the immunostimulator does not include a sequence derived from other than the core part in an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- the biological activity is interferon (IFN) ⁇ production-inducing activity and / or interleukin-6 (IL-6) production-inducing activity.
- IFN interferon
- IL-6 interleukin-6
- the core part includes a core part of D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCCA (SEQ ID NO: 22)), a core part of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56)) or a core part of A2336 (ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)).
- the immunostimulant according to any of the above items.
- the immunostimulator according to any one of the above items, wherein the core portion is contained in a cell introduction vehicle.
- the vehicle is a liposome or the delivery agent according to any one of Items 1 to 13.
- An oligonucleotide comprising a core portion or a full length having biological activity of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and a nucleic acid containing a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- the oligonucleotide according to any one of the above items, wherein the nucleic acid has a length of 5 bases or more.
- the biologically active portion includes the core portion having the biological activity of an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, or the entire length of a B / K type, C type, or P type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide according to any one of the above items.
- the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is A / D type
- the biological activity is interferon (IFN) ⁇ production-inducing activity and / or interleukin-6 (IL-6) production-inducing activity.
- IFN interferon
- IL-6 interleukin-6
- the core portion includes a core portion of D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCCA (SEQ ID NO: 22)), a core portion of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56)), or a core portion of A2336 (ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)).
- An immunostimulant comprising the oligonucleotide according to any one of the above items.
- the immunostimulant according to any one of the above items, wherein the immunostimulant is for inducing production of interferon (IFN) ⁇ and / or interleukin-6 (IL-6).
- IFN interferon
- IL-6 interleukin-6
- a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide for use in the delivery of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid medicament.
- the nucleic acid according to item 36 further comprising the characteristics described in any one or more of items 2 to 13.
- a method for delivering an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid drug comprising the delivery of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid drug according to any one of items 1 to 13 or a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- a method comprising administering to a subject directly or for example via a spacer, etc.
- the one or more features may be provided in further combinations in addition to the explicit combinations. Still further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description as needed.
- the results shown in the present invention have the advantage that the present invention, represented by D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40, etc., simplifies drug preparation for clinical applications. It is understood to be a promising non-aggregating A / D type ODN prototype. Moreover, even when added to the 5 'end, aggregation of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides such as D35 was found to be suppressed, and application to medicine is expected. In addition, IL-6 production is unexpectedly enhanced, and in this respect, application to medicine is expected.
- FIG. 1 shows the screening of human PBMC using several different polynucleotide tail-added A / D type ODNs.
- Human PBMC were stimulated with the indicated synthetic ODN (1 ⁇ M) (Table 1) for 24 hours and IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production in the supernatant was measured by ELISA.
- A It is a graph which shows the necessity of the CpG motif and guanine hexamer regarding cytokine secretion from human PBMC. Both IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 were secreted in a CpG motif-dependent and guanine hexamer sequence-independent manner.
- B is a graph showing a comparison of tail skeletons (phosphorothioates or phosphodiesters).
- the bar graph shows the concentration from a single well for each stimulus. The results are representative of three different experiments consisting of two different donors (Exp-1 and Exp-2, Exp-3 and Exp-4).
- FIG. 2 shows that guanine hexamer free D35 ODN requires DOTAP for immunostimulatory activity.
- Human PBMC were stimulated with the indicated synthetic ODN (1 ⁇ M) with or without DOTAP for 24 hours, and IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production in the supernatant was measured by ELISA.
- DOTAP rescued the immunostimulatory activity of D35A, D35T, and D35C, which are A / D type ODNs that do not contain guanine hexamers. These ODNs did not show immunostimulatory activity without DOTAP.
- the bar graph shows the cytokine concentration from a single well for each stimulus.
- FIG. 3 shows the physical properties of polynucleotide tail-added A / D type ODN in PBS solution.
- the DLS analysis results of the indicated ODN solutions are shown by (A)% intensity plot or (B)% mass plot. See Table 2 for each measurement result.
- (C) The turbid state of the indicated ODN solution is shown.
- the indicated ODN was first dissolved in distilled water at a concentration of 10 mg / mL (all ODN was completely dissolved in water and the solution was clear), and further at a final concentration of 1.0 mg / mL in PBS Dilute to The solution was stored at 4 ° C. for at least 18 hours and then photographed. D35 produced visible cloudiness during this incubation period. In contrast, other ODNs remained transparent.
- D shows a TEM image of D35 aggregated in PBS prepared as in (C).
- FIG. 4 shows the biological activity of D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40.
- A Dose-dependent IFN- ⁇ production from human PBMC by the indicated ODN is shown.
- (B) shows the effect of adjacent sequences on cytokine-inducing activity.
- D35core + dAs40 is sufficient to induce IFN- ⁇ secretion from human PBMC. Bars represent mean ⁇ SEM from 3 experiments.
- (C) shows that the length of the dAs tail affects the biological activity of D35core-dAs type ODN. Human PBMCs were stimulated with the indicated ODN (final concentration 1 ⁇ M) and cytokine concentrations were measured by ELISA 24 hours later. Bars represent mean ⁇ SEM from 3 experiments.
- (D) Shows the relationship between tail length and ODN dose for the indicated ODN. The bar graph shows dose-dependent IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production from a single well by each stimulus.
- FIG. 5 shows that D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 dissolve directly in saline, while the original D35 does not dissolve in saline.
- A Photographs of GMP grade lyophilized ODN vials (10 mg / vial) of K3, D35, D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 are shown. Synthetic ODN with lyophilized white material.
- B Saline (1 mL) was added directly to each vial. K3, D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 were completely dissolved in saline within 5 minutes.
- FIG. 6 shows the effect of modification of D35 with dAs40 at the 5′-end and / or 3′-end of D35 and its SPGation on cytokine production from human PBMC.
- Human PBMCs were isolated from ODN (D35-dAs40 (SEQ ID NO: 1), dAs40-D35 (SEQ ID NO: 74), D35-dAs40-D35 (SEQ ID NO: 75); each 1 ⁇ M) or their SPGylated ODN (D35-SPG, SPG- D35, D35-SPG-D35; each 1 ⁇ M ODN amount) or stimulated with K3 (SEQ ID NO: 30) or D35 (SEQ ID NO: 31), 24 hours later, IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 secretion in the supernatant Measured by ELISA. Bars represent mean ⁇ SEM from 3 experiments.
- FIG. 7 shows that D35-dAs40, D35core-dAs40, and D35-SPG have good adjuvant properties when used with influenza SV vaccine in cynomolgus monkeys.
- (A) shows immunization and assay schedule.
- FIG. 8 shows the cytokine profile of D-type CpG ODN in human PBMC. PBMCs from three Japanese adult volunteers were stimulated with D35, D35-dAs40, D35-SPG or medium. Each group in each graph shows D35, D35-dAs40, D35-SPG, and medium from the left.
- FIG. 9 shows the effect of tail length on immunostimulatory activity.
- Human PBMCs were stimulated for 24 hours with the synthetic ODN indicated in the figure (1 ⁇ M). Production in the supernatant of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 was tested by ELISA.
- the symbols in the figure are as follows. 1. D35core-dAs1 (SEQ ID NO: 35); 2. D35core-dAs2 (SEQ ID NO: 36); 3. D35core-dAs3 (SEQ ID NO: 37); 4.
- D35core-dAs4 (SEQ ID NO: 38); 5. D35core-dAs5 ( SEQ ID NO: 39); 6. D35core-dAs6 (SEQ ID NO: 40); 7. D35core-dAs7 (SEQ ID NO: 41); 8. D35core-dAs8 (SEQ ID NO: 42); 9. D35core-dAs9 (SEQ ID NO: 43); .D35core-dAs10 (SEQ ID NO: 44); 11.D35core-dAs20 (SEQ ID NO: 45); 12.D35core-dAs60 (SEQ ID NO: 46); 13.D35core-dAs80 (SEQ ID NO: 47); Number 48).
- D35core has the sequence of tgcatcgatgca (SEQ ID NO: 22)
- D35core-dAs1 has the sequence of tgcatcgatgca ⁇ a (SEQ ID NO: 35)
- D35core-dAs2 has the sequence of tgcatcgatgca ⁇ a ⁇ a (SEQ ID NO: 36) Have.
- D35core-dAsN (N is a number) indicates the number of adenine bound to the sequence of D35core in order by a phosphorothioate bond.
- D35core-dAs100 is tgcatcgatgca [ ⁇ a] (100) (SEQ ID NO: 48) (that is, 100 adenines having phosphorothioate bonds are bound to D35core).
- ⁇ Means a phosphorothioate bond.
- FIG. 10 shows the influence of the amount of phosphorothioate in Tail on the immunostimulatory activity. Human PBMCs were stimulated with the synthetic ODN (1 ⁇ M) indicated in the figure for 24 hours. Production in the supernatant of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 was tested by ELISA. The symbols in the figure are as follows. 1.
- D35core-dAs40 (S100%): D35core + [ ⁇ a] (40) (SEQ ID NO: 49) (ie, 40 adenines having phosphorothioate bonds are bound to D35core); 2.D35core-dAs40 (S50% ) (Ie, 20 adenine dimers with phosphorothioate bonds and 20 ordinary adenine dimers bound to D35core): D35core + [ ⁇ aa] (20) (SEQ ID NO: 50); 3.D35core-dAs40 (S35% ): D35core + [ ⁇ aa] (12) + [ ⁇ aaa] (SEQ ID NO: 51) (12 adenine with phosphorothioate bond and 2 normal adenine trimers bind to D35core, and phosphorothioate bond to it.
- D35core-dAs40 S25%): D35core + [ ⁇ aaa] (10) (SEQ ID NO: 52) (ie, having a phosphorothioate bond) Adenine and normal binding adenine 3 Te 10 lamers are bound to D35core); 5.
- D35core-dAs40 S20%): D35core + [ ⁇ aaaa] (8) (SEQ ID NO: 53) (ie, adenine with phosphorothioate linkage and adenine 4 with normal linkage) 8 pentamers bound to D35core); 6.
- D35core-dAs40 (S15%): D35core + [ ⁇ aaaaa] (5) [ ⁇ aaaa] (1) (SEQ ID NO: 54) (ie, phosphorothioate linkage) Adenine with 6 normal adenine heptamers bound to D35core, and 1 adenine with phosphorothioate bond and 4 normal adenine pentamers); D35core has tgcatcgatgca , ⁇ Means a phosphorothioate bond.
- FIG. 11 shows the effect of the nucleoside composition in Tail on immunostimulatory activity. Human PBMCs were stimulated with the synthetic ODN (1 ⁇ M) indicated in the figure for 24 hours.
- D35-dNs40 did not substantially induce IFN- ⁇ production.
- the figure shows the following: 1. D35-dNs40 (A30%, T30%, C30%, G10%); 2. D35-dNs40 (A27%, T27%, C27%, G19%); 3.D35-dNs40 (A24%, T24%, C24%, G28%); 4. D35-dNs40 (A20%, T20%, C20%, G40%); 5.D35-dNs40 (A17%, T17%, C17%, G49%) 6.
- D35-dNs40 (A14%, T14%, C14%, G58%); 7. D35-dNs40 (A10%, T10%, C10%, G70%); 8. D35-dNs40 (A7%, T7) 9. D35-dNs40 (A3%, T3%, C3%, G91%); 10. D35-dNs40: GsGTGCATCGATGCAGGGGsGsGs-Ns40 (SEQ ID NO: 72). s represents a phosphorothioate bond. N represents any nucleotide. In addition, since 1 to 9 specify only the base composition% and each sequence is randomly generated, no specific sequence is specified. FIG.
- FIG. 12 shows that addition of the dAs40 sequence to the 5 'end of D35 also prevents large visible aggregate formation in PBS.
- the indicated ODN was first dissolved in distilled water at 10 mg / mL, all ODN was completely dissolved in water and the solution was clear. Then, it was further diluted with PBS to a final concentration of 1.0 mg / mL. The solution was stored at 4 ° C. for at least 18 hours and then images were taken. D35 produced visible cloudiness upon this incubation. In contrast, dAs40-D35 did not produce visible cloudiness.
- FIG. 13 shows the state of aggregation. The left panel shows A2216 and the right panel shows A2336.
- the upper left of the left panel is A2216 itself, and the state dissolved in physiological saline is shown in the upper right, lower left, and lower right.
- the upper right shows 4 ° C
- the lower left shows room temperature
- the lower right shows 37 ° C.
- the right panel also shows A2336 at the top, dissolved in saline at room temperature.
- A2216 can be dissolved directly in physiological saline (10 mg / mL), but it becomes a very viscous solution and gels at 4 ° C. It becomes a sol at 37 ° C. (the viscosity is high but the fluidity is maintained).
- A2336 indicates that it cannot be directly dissolved in raw food.
- dAs40 bound (dAs40) are bound to the results of testing SEQ ID NOs: 76 to 85), respectively.
- the right end shows an example where nothing can be entered as a control.
- FIG. 15 shows the state of agglomeration as shown in FIG.
- A2216-dAs40 left and A2336-dAs40 (right) (both 0.5 mg / vial) can be easily and completely dissolved in 50 ⁇ L of physiological saline at room temperature (the upper panel is lyophilized, The bottom is when dissolved).
- the bottom row shows the experiment on the effect of each type of CpG ODN on the immunostimulatory activity of dAs40 addition (stimulated human PBMC with each oligonucleotide for 24 hours (1 ⁇ M)).
- the results were obtained by ELISA using IFN- ⁇ and IL in the supernatant.
- -6 shows the results of examining the production of -6.
- a comparison with A2216, A2336, D35 and their dAs40 conjugates, K3, etc. is also shown. Bars represent mean ⁇ SEM. The upper row shows the results of IFN- ⁇ release experiments, and the lower row shows the IL-6 release experiments. The left column (Exp-15A) and the right column (Exp-16A) show different experiments. From the left, A2216, A2216-dAs40, A2216core-dAs40, A2336, A2336-dAs40, A2336core-dAs40, D35, D35-dAs40, D35core-dAs40 are shown, the right end is K3, the second from the right is the control (nothing added) ). FIG.
- D35 shows a structure similar to D35 (one s is bonded to the 5 ′ end) but aggregated with D35 ⁇ (two s are bonded to the 5 ′ end) having a different number of s.
- A shows the state when D35 ⁇ is lyophilized (left) and dissolved in physiological saline at room temperature.
- B is the result of a stimulation experiment with human IFN- ⁇ (upper row: pg / mL) and human IL-6 (lower row: pg / mL) performed with donor A on the left column and donor B on the right column.
- the left half (six cases) indicates D35
- the right half (six cases) indicates D35 ⁇ , which indicates each concentration. From the left, 0 ⁇ M, 0.1 ⁇ M, 0.3 ⁇ M, 1 ⁇ M, 3 ⁇ M, and 9 ⁇ M are shown, respectively.
- the present invention relates to an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid pharmaceutical delivery agent comprising a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide, an immunostimulatory agent comprising a biologically active core part of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and a biologically active core part And a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- nucleic acids generally enhance their function as delivery agents by preventing the formation of multimers due to guanine.
- an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide has been found that there is a core part (Core) that is important for exerting activity, and that an immunostimulant containing this can be produced.
- An agent is provided.
- this invention also provides the oligonucleotide which combined the immunostimulant containing such a Core arrangement
- immunostimulatory oligonucleotide refers to an oligonucleotide having immunostimulatory ability.
- Representative immunostimulatory oligonucleotides include CpG oligonucleotides.
- CpG oligonucleotide (residue) is used interchangeably with “CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (residue)”, “CpG ODN (residue)” or simply “CpG (residue)”.
- a polynucleotide preferably an oligonucleotide, comprising at least one unmethylated CG dinucleotide sequence, which is synonymous with or without the term “residue” at the end.
- An oligonucleotide comprising at least one CpG motif can comprise multiple CpG motifs.
- the term “CpG motif” refers to an unmethylated dinucleotide portion of an oligonucleotide comprising a cytosine nucleotide followed by a guanosine nucleotide. 5-methylcytosine can also be used in place of cytosine.
- polydeoxyadenylic acid and polydeoxyadenosine acid are synonymous.
- the term “residue” means a partial structure of a compound with a higher molecular weight, but in this specification “CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN)” means an independent molecule or a compound with a higher molecular weight.
- CpG ODN CpG oligodeoxynucleotide
- CpG ODN CpG oligonucleotide
- TLR9 Toll-like receptor 9
- DCs dendritic cells
- B cells B cells to produce type I interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory cytokines (Hemmi, H., et al. Nature 408, 740-745 (2000); Krieg , AM. Nature reviews.
- CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- CpG oligodeoxynucleotide is a single-stranded DNA containing an immunostimulatory unmethylated CpG motif and is an agonist of TLR9.
- K type also called B type
- D type also called A type
- C type and P type which have different skeletal sequences and immunostimulatory properties (Advanced drug delivery reviews 61 , 195-204 (2009)).
- the oligodeoxynucleotide of the present invention comprises a D-type (also referred to as A / D, and hence A / D) CpG ODN.
- Immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides have been developed and used as Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9-dependent innate immune activators and vaccine adjuvants for over 10 years.
- TLR Toll-like receptor
- a / D type ODN is characterized by high interferon (IFN) - ⁇ production from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC).
- B / K type ODN mainly induces inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL) -6 and IL-12, but production of IFN- ⁇ is low.
- B / K type ODNs are easily formulated using saline, some of which are in clinical trials.
- a / D type ODNs endogenously form aggregates closely associated with high IFN- ⁇ profiles and meet the manufacturing and quality control standards (GMP) of their pharmaceuticals and quasi drugs This hinders product preparation and clinical application.
- GMP manufacturing and quality control standards
- the inventors have developed several D35-derived ODNs (generally used as A / D type ODNs) that have been modified by addition of phosphorothioate polynucleotide tails (eg, dAs40)
- PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- K-type CpG ODN typically contains multiple unmethylated CpG motifs in a non-palindrome structure and activates B cells to produce IL-6, but plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) It is a CpG ODN having structural and functional properties that hardly induce IFN- ⁇ production.
- An unmethylated CpG motif refers to a short nucleotide sequence comprising at least one cytosine (C) -guanine (G) sequence, wherein the cytosine 5-position in the cytosine-guanine sequence is not methylated.
- CpG means unmethylated CpG unless otherwise specified.
- K-type CpG ODN has an immunostimulatory activity (for example, an activity of activating B cells (preferably human B cells) to produce IL-6) unique to K-type CpG ODN.
- immunostimulatory activity for example, an activity of activating B cells (preferably human B cells) to produce IL-6) unique to K-type CpG ODN.
- B cells preferably human B cells
- Many humanized K-type CpG ODNs are known in the field (Journal of immunology 166, 2372-2377 (2001); Journal of immunology 164, 944-953 (2000); US 8,030, 285 B2).
- Type D / A is mainly the production of type I interferon from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (also called plasmacytoid dendritic cells, “plasmacytoid DC” or “pDC”), type K / B is the proliferation of B cells and IgM It has been suggested to induce the production of IL-6 and IL-6, respectively.
- D / A type CpG-DNA strongly induces IFN- ⁇ production
- pDC maturation-inducing activity is low and does not show direct immunostimulatory activity on B cells.
- Type K / B exhibits immunostimulatory activity on B cells, strongly promotes maturation of pDC, and has a high IL-12-inducing ability, but a low IFN- ⁇ -inducing ability.
- a C-type sequence that has a TCG repeat and is all thiolated induces polyclonal B cell activation and IFN- ⁇ production by pDC.
- CpG D / A type CpG ODN (also called A type, D type, etc., also indicated as CpG-A ODN) has phosphorothioate (PS) bonds at the 5 'and 3' ends, and phosphodiester (PO) Paris It is an oligonucleotide characterized by a poly-G motif having a CpG-containing sequence as a center. The presence of phosphorothioate (PS) at the 5 'and 3' ends is thought to facilitate cellular uptake.
- the CpG D / A type produces a large amount of interferon ⁇ (IFN- ⁇ ) in pDC (a characteristic different from the CpG K / B type).
- IFN- ⁇ interferon ⁇
- B cells do not activate and do not mature pDC (Krug, A., et al. European journal of immunology 31, 2154-2163 (2001)); and Verthelyi, D., Ishii, KJ. , Gursel, M., Takeshita, F. & Klinman, DM Journal of immunology 166, 2372-2377 (2001)).
- the other three types of ODN consist of PS skeletons.
- K / B type CpG ODN is also referred to as CpG-B type or CpG-K type, and has one or more CpG motifs that have no poly G motif and all have a phosphorothioate (PS) skeleton. Typically, it contains a plurality of CpG motifs in a non palindromic structure.
- K / B type CpG has weak IFN- ⁇ -inducing activity (almost no production), but is a very powerful Th1 adjuvant, a strong B cell response stimulator, activated to produce IL-6, Activating and maturing pDCs (Verthelyi, D., Ishii, KJ, Gursel, M., Takeshita, F.
- K / B type CpG ODN has functions to promote, activate, and mature the survival of both monocyte-derived dendritic cells and pDC.
- C-type and P-type CpG ODNs contain one and two palindromic CpG sequences, respectively, both activate B cells like K type, and like D type pDCs can be activated, but compared to P-type CpG ODN, C-type CpG ODN induces IFN- ⁇ production more weakly (Hartmann, G., et al. European journal of immunology 33, 1633 -1641 (2003); Marshall, J.D., et al. Journal of leukocyte biology 73, 781-792 (2003) .; and Samulowitz, U., et al. Oligonucleotides 20, 93-101 (2010).
- D / K-type and P-type CpG ODNs are Hoogsteen base pairs that form parallel four-stranded structures called G-tetrads, and Watson-Crick bases between cis and trans palindrome sites It is shown to form higher-order structures called pairs, which are necessary for strong IFN- ⁇ production by pDCs (Samulowitz, U., et al. Oligonucleotides 20, 93-101 (2010)). ; Kerkmann, M., et al. The Journal of biologyical chemistry 280, 8086-8093 (2005); and Klein, DC, Latz, E., Espevik, T. & Stokke, B. T. Ultramicroscopy 110 , 689-693 (2010)).
- K-type and C-type CpG ODN are generally available as human immunotherapeutic agents and vaccine adjuvants (Puig, M., et al. Nucleic acids research 34, 6488-6495 (2006); Bode, C., Zhao, G., Steinhagen, F., Kinjo, T. & Klinman, D.M. Expert review of vaccines 10, 499-511 (2011); and McHutchison, J G., et al. Hepatology 46, 1341-1349 (2007)).
- C-type CpG has a complete phosphorothioate (PS) skeleton without a poly-G motif, but contains an A-type palindromic sequence of CpG in combination with a stimulatory CpG motif.
- PS phosphorothioate
- the D35 oligonucleotide used herein comprises TGCATCGATGCA (SEQ ID NO: 22) in the core portion.
- oligonucleotides used herein include, for example, an oligonucleotide having a core portion of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56)), an oligonucleotide having a core portion of A2336 (ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)), These include oligonucleotides having the full length of B2006 (SEQ ID NO: 60), oligonucleotides having the full length of C2395 (SEQ ID NO: 62), oligonucleotides having the full length of P21889 (SEQ ID NO: 64), and the like.
- the CpG ODN and the nucleic acid used as a delivery agent may be directly linked by a covalent bond or may be linked via a spacer sequence.
- spacer sequence is meant a nucleotide sequence comprising one or more nucleotides inserted between two adjacent components.
- the length of the spacer sequence indicates an immunostimulatory activity (preferably an activity to activate B cells to produce IL-6 and / or an activity to activate dendritic cells to produce IFN- ⁇ ).
- an immunostimulatory activity preferably an activity to activate B cells to produce IL-6 and / or an activity to activate dendritic cells to produce IFN- ⁇ .
- the spacer examples include those that can be incorporated in nucleic acid synthesis, such as C3, C6, C12, S9, S18, and dSpacer.
- C is an arbitrary carbon chain
- S is an ethylene glycol chain
- dSpacer is a ribose-only skeleton without a base
- each number indicates the degree of polymerization of hydrocarbon or ethylene glycol.
- Yet another embodiment includes at least one or more nucleotides or ethylene glycol or hydrocarbon.
- the CpG ODN and the delivery agent are directly linked by a covalent bond.
- the “subject (person)” refers to a subject to be diagnosed or detected or treated according to the present invention (for example, an organism such as a human or a cell, blood, serum, etc. removed from the organism). .
- drug drug
- drug may also be a substance or other element (eg energy such as light, radioactivity, heat, electricity).
- Such substances include, for example, proteins, polypeptides, oligopeptides, peptides, polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, nucleotides, nucleic acids (eg, DNA such as cDNA, genomic DNA, RNA such as mRNA), poly Saccharides, oligosaccharides, lipids, small organic molecules (for example, hormones, ligands, signaling substances, small organic molecules, molecules synthesized by combinatorial chemistry, small molecules that can be used as pharmaceuticals (for example, small molecule ligands, etc.)) , These complex molecules are included, but not limited thereto.
- treatment refers to prevention of worsening of a disease or disorder when a disease or disorder (eg, cancer, allergy) occurs, preferably, maintaining the status quo. More preferably, it means reduction, more preferably elimination, including the ability to exert a symptom improving effect or a preventive effect on one or more symptoms associated with a patient's disease or disease. Diagnosing in advance and performing appropriate treatment is referred to as “companion treatment”, and the diagnostic agent therefor is sometimes referred to as “companion diagnostic agent”.
- the term “therapeutic agent (agent)” refers to any drug that can treat a target condition (for example, diseases such as cancer, allergy, etc.) in a broad sense.
- the “therapeutic agent” may be a pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient and one or more pharmacologically acceptable carriers.
- the pharmaceutical composition can be produced by any method known in the technical field of pharmaceutics, for example, by mixing the active ingredient and the carrier.
- the form of use of the therapeutic agent is not limited as long as it is a substance used for treatment, and it may be an active ingredient alone or a mixture of an active ingredient and an arbitrary ingredient.
- the shape of the carrier is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a solid or a liquid (for example, a buffer solution).
- the therapeutic agent for cancer, allergy and the like includes a drug (preventive agent) used for preventing cancer, allergy and the like, or a suppressor for cancer, allergy and the like.
- prevention refers to preventing a certain disease or disorder (for example, diseases such as cancer, allergies, etc.) from entering such a state before it enters such a state. Diagnosis can be performed using the drug of the present invention, and for example, allergies can be prevented using the drug of the present invention, or countermeasures for prevention can be taken as necessary.
- a certain disease or disorder for example, diseases such as cancer, allergies, etc.
- prophylactic agent refers to any agent that can prevent a target condition (for example, diseases such as cancer and allergies) in a broad sense.
- the “kit” is a unit provided with a portion to be provided (eg, a test agent, a diagnostic agent, a therapeutic agent, an antibody, a label, instructions, etc.) usually divided into two or more compartments.
- a portion to be provided eg, a test agent, a diagnostic agent, a therapeutic agent, an antibody, a label, instructions, etc.
- This kit form is preferred when it is intended to provide a composition that should not be provided in admixture for stability or the like, but preferably used in admixture immediately before use.
- Such kits preferably include instructions or instructions that describe how to use the provided parts (eg, test agents, diagnostic agents, therapeutic agents, or how the reagents should be processed).
- the kit when the kit is used as a reagent kit, the kit usually contains instructions including usage of test agents, diagnostic agents, therapeutic agents, antibodies, etc. Is included.
- the “instruction sheet” describes the method for using the present invention for a doctor or other user.
- This instruction manual includes a word indicating that the detection method of the present invention, how to use a diagnostic agent, or administration of a medicine or the like is given.
- the instructions may include a word indicating that the administration site is oral or esophageal administration (for example, by injection).
- This instruction is prepared in accordance with the format prescribed by the national supervisory authority (for example, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, etc.) It is clearly stated that it has been received.
- the instruction sheet is a so-called package insert and is usually provided in a paper medium, but is not limited thereto, and is in a form such as an electronic medium (for example, a homepage or an e-mail provided on the Internet). But it can be provided.
- the present invention is provided as the above-mentioned various forms of medicaments (therapeutic or preventive).
- the administration route of the therapeutic agent is preferably one that is effective in the treatment, and may be, for example, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or oral administration.
- the administration form may be, for example, an injection, capsule, tablet, granule or the like.
- Aqueous solutions for injection may be stored, for example, in vials or stainless steel containers.
- the aqueous solution for injection may contain, for example, physiological saline, sugar (for example, trehalose), NaCl, or NaOH.
- the therapeutic agent may contain, for example, a buffer (for example, phosphate buffer), a stabilizer and the like.
- compositions, medicaments, therapeutic agents, prophylactic agents, etc. of the present invention comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent or active ingredient, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
- pharmaceutically acceptable refers to a licensed or otherwise recognized pharmacopoeia of a government for use in animals, and more particularly in humans, by a government supervisory authority. It means that it is enumerated.
- carrier refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic agent is administered.
- Such carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including but not limited to those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, including but not limited to peanut oil, soybean oil, minerals Oil, sesame oil, etc. are included.
- Water is a preferred carrier when the drug is administered orally.
- Saline and aqueous dextrose are preferred carriers when the pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously.
- saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions are used as liquid carriers for injectable solutions.
- Suitable excipients include light anhydrous silicic acid, crystalline cellulose, mannitol, starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, chloride Sodium, nonfat dry milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol, carmellose calcium, carmellose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylacetal diethylaminoacetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin, medium chain fatty acid triglyceride, polyoxyethylene hardening Castor oil 60, sucrose, carboxymethylcellulose, corn starch, inorganic salts and the like are included.
- compositions can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents, if desired.
- These compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained-release formulations and the like. It is also possible to formulate the composition as a suppository, with traditional binders and carriers such as triglycerides. Oral formulations may also include standard carriers such as pharmaceutical grade mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, cellulose, magnesium carbonate. Examples of suitable carriers are E.I. W. Martin, Remington ’s Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mark Publishing Company, Easton, U.S.A).
- compositions contain a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent, preferably in purified form, together with a suitable amount of carrier so as to provide the form for proper administration to the patient.
- the formulation must be suitable for the mode of administration.
- surfactants, excipients, coloring agents, flavoring agents, preservatives, stabilizers, buffering agents, suspending agents, tonicity agents, binders, disintegrating agents, lubricants, fluidity Accelerators, flavoring agents and the like may be included.
- the “salt” includes, for example, an anion salt formed with any acidic (eg, carboxyl) group or a cation salt formed with any basic (eg, amino) group.
- the salts include inorganic salts or organic salts, for example, salts described in Berge et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1977, 66, 1-19. Examples thereof include metal salts, ammonium salts, salts with organic bases, salts with inorganic acids, salts with organic acids, and the like.
- a “solvate” is a compound formed by a solute and a solvent. For solvates, see, for example, J.
- the solvent is water, the solvate formed is a hydrate.
- This solvent is preferably one that does not interfere with the biological activity of the solute. Examples of such preferred solvents include, but are not limited to, water or various buffers.
- “chemical modification” includes, for example, modification with PEG or a derivative thereof, fluorescein modification, biotin modification, or the like.
- various delivery systems are known, and such systems can be used to administer the therapeutic agent of the present invention to an appropriate site (eg, esophagus).
- Such systems include, for example, encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, and microcapsules: the use of recombinant cells capable of expressing therapeutic agents (eg, polypeptides), receptor-mediated endocytosis Use; such as the construction of therapeutic nucleic acids as part of a retroviral vector or other vector.
- Introduction methods include, but are not limited to, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural, and oral routes.
- an inhaler or nebulizer can be used with an aerosolizing agent and can be administered with other biologically active agents. Administration can be systemic or local.
- the present invention can be administered by any appropriate route such as direct injection into cancer (lesion).
- the composition can be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition adapted for human administration according to known methods. Such compositions can be administered by injection. Typically, compositions for injection administration are solutions in sterile isotonic aqueous buffer. Where necessary, the composition can also include a solubilizing agent and a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to ease pain at the site of the injection. In general, the ingredients are supplied separately or mixed together in a unit dosage form, for example in a sealed container such as an ampoule or sachet indicating the amount of active agent, lyophilized powder or water-free concentration Can be supplied as a product.
- a sealed container such as an ampoule or sachet indicating the amount of active agent, lyophilized powder or water-free concentration Can be supplied as a product.
- composition is to be administered by infusion
- it can be dispensed with an infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical grade water or saline.
- an ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can be provided so that the ingredients may be mixed prior to administration.
- compositions, medicament, therapeutic agent, and preventive agent of the present invention in a neutral form, salt form, or other prodrug (for example, ester).
- pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed with free carboxyl groups derived from hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylaminoethanol, histidine, procaine And those formed with free amine groups such as those derived from, and those derived from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxide, and the like.
- the amount of the therapeutic agent of the invention effective for the treatment of a particular disorder or condition can vary depending on the nature of the disorder or condition, but can be determined by those skilled in the art by standard clinical techniques based on the description herein. In addition, in some cases, in vitro assays can be used to help identify optimal dosage ranges.
- the exact dose to be used in the formulation can also vary depending on the route of administration and the severity of the disease or disorder and should be determined according to the judgment of the attending physician and the circumstances of each patient. However, the dose is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0.001, 1, 5, 10, 15, 100, or 1000 mg / kg body weight per dose, and within the range of any two of them. Also good.
- the dosing interval is not particularly limited, for example, it may be administered once or twice per 1, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days, or once or twice per any two of these ranges Also good.
- the dose, administration interval, and administration method may be appropriately selected depending on the age, weight, symptoms, target organ, etc. of the patient.
- the therapeutic agent preferably contains a therapeutically effective amount or an effective amount of an active ingredient that exhibits a desired action. If the malignant tumor marker is significantly decreased after administration, it may be determined that there is a therapeutic effect. Effective doses can be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.
- a “patient” or “subject” is a human or non-human mammal (eg, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, rat, mouse, rabbit, pig, sheep, goat, cow, horse, Including one or more of a cat, dog, marmoset, monkey, or chimpanzee).
- a human or non-human mammal eg, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, rat, mouse, rabbit, pig, sheep, goat, cow, horse, Including one or more of a cat, dog, marmoset, monkey, or chimpanzee.
- the pharmaceutical composition or therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent of the present invention can be provided as a kit.
- the present invention provides a drug pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more components of the composition or medicament of the present invention.
- a drug pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more components of the composition or medicament of the present invention.
- associated with such containers manufactured, used or sold for human administration by a government agency in a manner prescribed by the government agency that regulates the manufacture, use or sale of a pharmaceutical or biological product. It is also possible to indicate information indicating authorization.
- a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ingredient of the present invention can be administered via liposomes, microparticles, or microcapsules.
- the formulation procedure as a medicine such as a therapeutic drug and a preventive drug of the present invention is known in the art, and is described in, for example, the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the US Pharmacopoeia, and the pharmacopoeia of other countries. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can determine the embodiment, such as the amount to be used, without undue experimentation as described herein.
- the present invention provides an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid pharmaceutical delivery agent (also referred to herein as the “delivery agent of the present invention”, including its embodiments), comprising a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- the present invention is also a method for delivering an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid medicament, which comprises the above immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid medicament as a delivery agent or phosphorothioate comprising a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- a method comprising administering to a subject directly or for example via a spacer or the like is administered to a nucleic acid containing a conjugated nucleotide. This aspect focuses only on the tail unit.
- Such a nucleic acid may also be referred to herein as a “Tail nucleic acid”.
- the nucleic acid prevents multimer formation due to guanine.
- D35 which is a typical CpG
- guanine is changed to another base (A, T, C, etc.)
- G is changed to A, T, C
- Liposomeization was a conventional technique, but since it was a complicated technique, provision of a simple technique was awaited.
- the present invention provides a Tail unit that prevents the phenomenon of preventing delivery by providing a nucleic acid containing phosphorothioated nucleotides and exhibits self-introduction ability, enabling delivery or cell introduction, and effective IFN- ⁇ .
- a CpG ODN unit providing activity could be provided.
- phosphorothioation at the tail portion is advantageous in order to obtain the ability to produce IFN- ⁇ when introduced into a cell as a single agent.
- an A / D type nucleic acid adjuvant is divided into two units of an active body and a cell introduction has not been known so far and can be said to be a feature of the present invention.
- a structure-activity relationship test is performed, and it is understood which parameter affects how the activity and optimization is possible.
- an IFN- ⁇ production-inducing nucleic acid adjuvant to which a linear nucleic acid is bound is provided. It has been found that a certain length of the Tail nucleic acid for preventing the phenomenon of preventing delivery or gelation is advantageous although it is of any kind.
- the nucleic acids of the present invention are those in which the phenomenon or gelation that prevents delivery is reduced or eliminated, and therefore do not want to be bound by theory, but do not gel in salt solutions From the point of view, the property of administration by injection is given. Therefore, without wishing to be bound by theory, it can be used as a novel adjuvant or enhancer for cancer, infectious disease vaccines, and as a replacement or enhancer for IFN- ⁇ replacement therapy it can. Moreover, since it may be provided as an immunomodulator or its potentiator with a single agent, it can also be applied to therapeutic agents such as Leishmania.
- the prevention of higher order aggregate formation does not inhibit multimer formation, but inhibits higher order aggregate formation that occurs when it occurs randomly. Thus, it is considered that delivery is facilitated by the delivery agent of the present invention.
- examples of factors for realizing or enhancing delivery include phosphorothioated nucleotide content.
- the content of phosphorothioated nucleotides in the nucleic acid is advantageously about 25% or higher or higher than about 25%, preferably about 35% or higher or about 35 It may be advantageous to be greater than about 50%, more preferably greater than about 50% or greater than about 50%.
- the position where it is contained can also be considered.
- the content required is small when arranged on the terminal side.
- the phosphorothioate may preferably have a form bound to the 5 'end, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
- the number of phosphorothioates at the 5' end is not limited, and for example, it has been demonstrated that it may be 1 or 2 in the Examples.
- the nucleic acid can advantageously be of a specific length, usually usually 5 bases or more in length.
- the base length for example, the lower limit of the nucleic acid used in the present invention is about 5 bases or more, about 6 bases or more, about 7 bases or more, about 8 bases or more, about 9 bases or more, about 10 Base length or more, about 15 base length or more, about 20 base length or more, about 25 base length or more, about 30 base length or more, about 35 base length or more, about 40 base length or more, about 45 base length or more, about 50 base length
- the length may be about 55 bases or more and about 60 bases or more.
- the upper limit of the base length of the nucleic acid used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is preferable because the activity is slightly reduced at about 100 bases.
- the conditions for realizing this include a content rate, absence or little continuous guanine, and the like.
- the content of guanine in the nucleic acid may be less than 60%, but is preferably 60% or more, or 70% or more, or 80% or more, but is not limited thereto.
- the nucleic acid of the present invention does not have a portion where three or more guanines are continuous.
- the delivery agent of the present invention is combined with a biologically active moiety. By being combined, it can be used as a single agent.
- the part having biological activity may be any part as long as it has biological activity, for example, pharmaceutical activity, but typically may be a part containing a nucleic acid such as an oligonucleotide. This is because the delivery agent of the present invention is configured based on nucleic acid, and therefore, there is integrity in providing it as a single agent.
- the biologically active moiety attached to the delivery agent of the invention is a core or full-length biologically active core portion of an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, B / K-type, C-type or D-type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide having the full length.
- the biologically active moiety attached to the delivery agent of the invention has a biologically active core moiety of an A / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- a / D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotides tend to aggregate, and are a type of CpG that is believed to improve efficacy rather by aggregation, especially The idea of preventing aggregation was not considered. Therefore, the device in the present invention should be evaluated as indicating the opposite direction.
- the biologically active moiety that can be used in the present invention is: Core part of D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCCA (SEQ ID NO: 22)), core part of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56)), Full length part of A2216 (ggggGACGA: TCGTCgggggg (SEQ ID NO: 65); capital letters indicate core part)
- the core part of A2336 ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)
- Full length part of A2336 ggggACGAC: GTCGGTgggggg (SEQ ID NO: 66); uppercase letters indicate core part)
- the full length of B2006 TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTGTCGTT SEQ ID NO: 60), Full length of C2395 (TCGTCGTTTTCGGCCGCGCGCGCGCGCGCG (SEQ ID NO: 62)), Full length of P21889 (TCGTCGACGATCGGCGCGGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 64)), CPG 7909:
- the oligonucleotide of the present invention may be present in a solution containing a sodium salt (eg, physiological saline, phosphate buffered physiological saline (PBS), etc.).
- a sodium salt eg, physiological saline, phosphate buffered physiological saline (PBS), etc.
- PBS phosphate buffered physiological saline
- the phenomenon of inability to deliver seen with an A / D type core sequence is a particularly strongly observed event when dissolved in an aqueous solution of sodium salt. This is because it is possible to solve a problem with a normal saline solution or the like.
- the present invention relates to an immunostimulant (herein, each of its immunostimulatory agents comprising a core portion having the biological activity of an A / D, B / K, C, or D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- the immunostimulant of the present invention may be referred to.
- the present invention has been found to be capable of immunostimulating with only the core portion and having IFN- ⁇ production-inducing activity and / or interleukin-6 production-inducing activity.
- An immunostimulant with a wide design range can be provided.
- the present invention is also a method of stimulating immunity in a subject, the method comprising a core having the biological activity of an A / D, B / K, C or D type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- a method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunostimulatory agent comprising a moiety.
- the “core portion” refers to a sequence of 6 bp or more forming a palindrome including a CpG sequence.
- the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide used in the immunostimulant of the present invention is A / D type, and the biological activity is interferon (IFN) ⁇ production-inducing activity and / or interleukin 6 production. Inducible activity.
- IFN interferon
- the core part of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide used in the immunostimulant of the present invention is a part of A / D type from which continuous G is removed, preferably at the end. All G may be removed, and one G may remain.
- the core part of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide used in the immunostimulatory agent of the present invention is a core part of D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCA (SEQ ID NO: 22)), a core part of A2216 (GACGATCGTC). (SEQ ID NO: 56) or the core portion of A2336 (ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)).
- the core part used in the present invention is included in a cell introduction vehicle.
- a cell introduction vehicle Any cell introduction vehicle may be used.
- the vehicle may be a liposome or the delivery agent of the present invention.
- the present invention provides an oligonucleotide (referred to herein as an “oligonucleotide of the present invention”) comprising a biologically active core portion or full length of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- an oligonucleotide of the present invention comprising a biologically active core portion or full length of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and a nucleic acid comprising a phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- nucleic acid containing a phosphorothioated nucleotide used in this aspect can use any of the embodiments described in (Delivery agent for immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid pharmaceuticals).
- the nucleic acid prevents formation of higher-order aggregates due to guanine.
- the factor for realizing or enhancing delivery includes the content of phosphorothioated nucleotide.
- the content of phosphorothioated nucleotides in the nucleic acid is advantageously about 25% or higher or higher than about 25%, preferably about 35% or higher or about 35 It may be advantageous to be greater than about 50%, more preferably greater than about 50% or greater than about 50%.
- the position where it is contained can also be considered. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it may be advantageous for the phosphorothioated nucleotide to be located terminally.
- the nucleic acid in the oligonucleotide of the present invention, may advantageously have a specific length, and usually may have a length of 5 bases or more.
- the base length for example, the lower limit of the nucleic acid used in the present invention is about 5 bases or more, about 6 bases or more, about 7 bases or more, about 8 bases or more, about 9 bases or more, about 10 Base length or more, about 15 base length or more, about 20 base length or more, about 25 base length or more, about 30 base length or more, about 35 base length or more, about 40 base length or more, about 45 base length or more, about 50 base length
- the length may be about 55 bases or more and about 60 bases or more.
- the upper limit of the base length of the nucleic acid used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is preferable because the activity is slightly reduced at about 100 bases.
- the conditions for realizing this include content rate, absence or low continuous guanine, and the like.
- the content of guanine in the nucleic acid may be less than 60%, but is preferably 60% or more, or 70% or more, or 80% or more, but is not limited thereto.
- the nucleic acid of the present invention does not have a portion where three or more guanines are continuous.
- the biologically active core portion is that of an A / D type, B / K type or C type immunostimulatory oligonucleotide.
- the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide in another embodiment, is of A / D type, and the biological activity is interferon (IFN) ⁇ -inducing or enhancing activity and / or interleukin-6 induction or It is potentiating activity.
- IFN interferon
- the core portion is a portion of the A / D type from which continuous G is removed, and preferably all G at the end may be removed. One G may remain.
- the core moiety is The core portion of the D35 oligonucleotide (TGCATCGATGCA (SEQ ID NO: 22)), The core portion of A2216 (GACGATCGTC (SEQ ID NO: 56); Full length part of A2216 (ggggGACGA: TCGTCgggggg (SEQ ID NO: 65); capital letters indicate core part)
- the core part of A2336 ACGACGTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 58)
- Full length part of A2336 ggggACGAC: GTCGGTgggggg (SEQ ID NO: 66); uppercase letters indicate core part)
- the full length of B2006 TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTGTCGTT SEQ ID NO: 60), Full length of C2395 (TCGTCGTTTTCGGCCGCGCGCGCGCGCGCG (SEQ ID NO: 62)), Full length of P21889 (TCGTCGACGATCGGCGCGGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 64)), CPG 79
- the present invention provides an immunostimulator comprising the oligonucleotide of the present invention.
- the immunostimulatory agent is for inducing or enhancing interferon (IFN) alpha production and / or inducing or enhancing interleukin 6 production.
- IFN interferon
- an oligonucleotide of the invention in the manufacture of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleic acid medicament. It will be appreciated that the oligonucleotides used in this aspect can use any form described herein.
- Protocols in Molecular Biology A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub.Associates; Ausubel, FM (1995). Innis, MA et al. (1995) .PCR Strategies, Academic Press; Ausubel, FM (1999). Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, and annual updates; Sninsky, JJ et al. (1999). PCR Applications: Protocols for It is described in Functional Genomics, Academic Press, a separate volume of experimental medicine "Gene Transfer & Expression Analysis Experimental Method” Yodosha, 1997, etc., and related portions (which may be all) are incorporated herein by reference. The
- the oligonucleotide of the present invention can be synthesized by standard methods known in the art, for example, by using an automated DNA synthesizer (commercially available from Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, etc.). is there.
- an automated DNA synthesizer commercially available from Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, etc.
- it is possible to synthesize phosphorothioate oligonucleotides by the method of Stein et al. (Stein et al., 1988, Nucl. Acids Res. 16: 3209), and control pore glass polymer supports (Sarinet al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 7448-7451), etc. can also be used to prepare methylphosphonate oligonucleotides.
- Example 1 Experiment with D35
- D35 SEQ ID NO: 31
- poly dAs40 tail-added A / D type ODN has the same immunostimulation potential as the original D35. Demonstrated.
- PBMCs were prepared from Japanese healthy adult volunteers who obtained informed consent. All experiments using human PBMC were approved by the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation Research Ethics Review Board (approval number 44). After preparing PBMCs using Ficoll-Paque PLUS (GE Healthcare) and LeucoSep (Greiner), these PBMCs were added to RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 units / mL penicillin and 100 ⁇ g / mL streptomycin (all , Manufactured by Nacalai Tesque Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)) at a concentration of 2 ⁇ 10 7 cells / mL (96 well flat bottom plate, total volume of 100 ⁇ L / well).
- Poly dAs40 tail (SEQ ID NO: 29) was tested as an exemplary delivery agent in FIG. 1A.
- PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- ODN and DOTAP were prepared separately and maintained at room temperature for 15 minutes, after which the ODN solution and the DOTAP solution are prepared. Mix thoroughly by pipetting. The resulting ODN / DOTAP mixture was maintained at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- ODN / DOTAP mixture (100 ⁇ L) was added to human PBMC (2 ⁇ 10 6 cells / 100 ⁇ L / well). After 24 hours, the supernatant was assayed for the presence of cytokines.
- ELISA enzyme immunoassay
- DLS Dynamic light scattering method
- Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were obtained and maintained at the Tsukuba Primate Medical Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation (NIBIO). All experiments were performed under a protocol approved by the NIBIO Animal Experiment Committee (approval number: DS22-4R1) and every attempt was made to minimize slaughter.
- K3 ODN In order to form a complex between K3 ODN and SPG, K3 ODN must be modified by adding a phosphorothioate deoxyadenylate 40mer (dAs40 tail) at the 3 ′ end, SPG and dAs40 tail form a triple helix complex [Kobiyama K et al. (2014) supra].
- dAs40 tail phosphorothioate deoxyadenylate 40mer
- SPG and dAs40 tail In parallel with these experiments, we also synthesized D35 ODN with a similar tail and investigated its immunostimulatory activity (induction of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6) against human PBMC. Cytokine ELISA revealed that D35 with an additional dAs40 tail at the 3 ′ end (A / D type CpG-ODN) is as active as the original D35 (compare 1 and D35 in FIG.
- ODN The biological activity of ODN was dependent on the presence of phosphorothioate tails, and little cytokine response was observed when phosphodiester tail ODN was added (compare 1 and 2 in FIG. 1B).
- polynucleotide 40 martails such as poly T (s) 40 or poly C (s) 40 instead of poly A (s) 40, and dAs40 tail and dTs40 tail and Although a relatively stronger cytokine response was observed when dCs40 tail was added (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of FIG. 1B), the cytokine response was independent of the base of the polynucleotide tail, It was found that it was dependent on the presence of a phosphorothioate backbone (see 3-6 in FIG. 1B).
- This DOTAP is a cationic lipid (N- [1- (2,3-dioleoyloxy) propyl] -N, N, N-trimethylammonium methylsulfate) and initiates TLR9-mediated signal transduction. Used to target CpG-ODN to specific endosomal compartments [Yasuda K et al., (2005) Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md: 1950) 174: 6129-6136 .; Honda K et al., (2005) Nature 434: 1035-1040.]. This result indicated that the biological activity of A / D type ODN does not require the guanine hexamer sequence when ODN is targeted to cellular uptake by DOTAP and to the appropriate endosomal compartment.
- the immunostimulatory activity of A / D type CpG-ODN could be regulated by two separate processes.
- the first process is efficient cellular uptake by either guanine hexamer aggregation or non-specific binding via phosphorothioate polynucleotide tails, and the second process is a TLR-dependent signal. This is due to the presence of the CpG motif that induces transmission.
- DOTAP can convert non-active guanine hexamer-free D35s such as D35A, D35T and D35C into immunostimulatory compounds, so the presence of the guanine hexamer sequence itself is a CpG motif / TLR9 molecule. It is suggested that it is not essential for the interaction.
- the original D35 (1 mg / mL) showed the formation of various heterogeneous aggregates in the eye in PBS, resulting in visible turbidity within 24 hours (FIG. 3C).
- DLS analysis revealed that the turbidity consisted of widely dispersed aggregates (average diameter about 50 nm to over 1 ⁇ m size range) (FIGS. 3A-3B).
- the same concentrations of D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 in PBS did not form a visible precipitate (FIG. 3C), the ODN size was less than 20 nm and had a sharp peak in DLS. (FIGS. 3A-3B, Table 2).
- nucleotide composition requirements were tested with D35-dNs40, and completely random dNs40-tailed ODN did not induce substantial IFN- ⁇ production (FIG. 11, nucleic acid no. 10 (DS35 -DNs40))
- DS35 -DNs40 nucleic acid no. 10
- Hoogsteen base pairing in the dNs40 tail is expected to increase, and as guanosine levels increase, IFN- ⁇ production increases, even with D35-dNs40 (91% G).
- nucleotide composition A polymer is superior to G-rich randomer. It is understood that nucleotide tail ODN can be an important factor in the activity of immunostimulatory agents. From these results, the inventors selected D35-dAs40 and D35 core-dAs40 as prototypes for clinical application.
- D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 cryopreserved in vials can be directly formulated using saline
- Direct solubility of immunostimulated ODN in salt-containing solutions such as saline is an important requirement to facilitate its clinical application. Therefore, we investigated the direct solubility of lyophilized D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 in saline. 1 mL of sterile saline solution was directly injected into a vial (FIG. 5A) containing 10 mg of lyophilized ODN. K3 and D35core-dAs40 were readily dissolved in saline (FIG. 5B).
- D35-dAs40 (which contains the guanine hexamer sequence) dissolved slowly but completely within 5 minutes (FIG. 5B). Even when these ODN solutions were stored at 4 ° C. for 1 month, no visible precipitates or aggregates were observed. In contrast, the original D35 did not dissolve easily in physiological saline and formed heterogeneous gelatinous aggregates (FIG. 5B). These results demonstrated that D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 are easier to handle than the original D35, especially for clinical applications.
- D35 5 'or 3' SPGylation did not improve cytokine production, but decreased secretion of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 compared to non-SPGylated ODN (FIG. 6).
- D35-SPG had a greater immunostimulatory effect than SPG-D35 (FIG. 6).
- non-SPGylated ODN with dAs40 added at the 5 ′ or 3 ′ end such as D35-dAs40 and dAs40-D35, showed comparable immunostimulatory activity (FIG. 6).
- D35-SPG-D35 significantly enhanced IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 secretion from PBMC, but the efficiency of conjugation was only about 50%.
- D35-SPG-D35 showed similar cytokine profile enhancement as K3-SPG [Kobiyama K et al. (2014) supra].
- D35-dAs40, D35core-dAs40 and D35-SPG are vaccine adjuvants for flu split vaccines better than K3 and original D35 in cynomolgus monkeys.
- D35-dAs40 and D35-SPG showed better and more consistent adjuvanticity than K3 and the original D35 (FIG. 7B).
- the inventors also conducted another set of monkey experiments and compared the original D35 with D35core-dAs40 and found that D35core-dAs40 also exhibits superior adjuvant properties than the original D35. (FIG. 7C). These results indicate that D35-dAs40, D35core-dAs40 and D35-SPG function as an adjuvant or better in vivo in monkeys compared to K3 and the original D35 in vivo, at least for vaccination with influenza split vaccines I suggested that.
- Lyophilized D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 stored in vials can be dissolved directly by injecting saline solution (FIG. 5), a feature that is necessary for clinical administration. And its uses are greatly expanded.
- both D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 showed better adjuvanticity in cynomolgus monkeys than the original D35 when used as influenza SV adjuvant (FIG. 6). This result was unexpected because D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 generally showed relatively reduced IFN- ⁇ and more IL-6 in vitro compared to the original D35 (FIG. 4).
- D35-dAs40 is also better and more reliable in monkeys when compared to K3, which is thought to induce a good antibody response due to direct activation of B cells and strong IL-6 cytokine induction. Anti-influenza antibody response (FIG. 7). This suggested that both D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 are excellent vaccine adjuvants in vivo.
- D35-SPG consisting of D35-dAs40 and SPG in monkeys. D35-SPG showed reduced levels of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 in vitro, whereas D35-SPG had adjuvant properties comparable to D35-dAs40 in vivo (FIG. 7).
- D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 showed dose-proportional IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 responses similar to the original D35 (FIG. 4), which showed D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 This is one of the reasons for considering a CpG ODN of “D type”, not C type or P type.
- C-type and P-type ODNs also induce IFN- ⁇ production, but their “ODN dose-cytokine response” is usually different from the pattern of D-type ODN.
- C-type and P-type ODN showed reduced IFN- ⁇ secretion when higher amounts of ODN were used for stimulation.
- phosphorothioated single chain CpG ODN (eg, B / K type ODN) has been reported to use DEC-205 for cellular uptake [Lahoud MH et al. (2012) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109: 16270-16275.].
- many molecules such as HMGB1, granulin and LL37 mediate or enhance ODN or DNA uptake and delivery to TLR9 [Lee CC et al. (2012) Nat Rev Immunol 12: 168-179.] .
- D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 do not form aggregates but maintain their immunostimulatory activity in dependence on the presence of phosphorothioate rather than phosphodiester poly A tails. It can be understood that D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 uptake is mediated by phosphorothioate ODN uptake mechanisms such as DEC-205 and / or potential other undiscovered accessory molecules.
- Guanine hexamer-mediated aggregation or conformational formation can also affect subcellular localization and promote preferential early endosomal localization of multimeric forms of ODN [Guiducci C (2006) The Journal of Experimental Medicine 203: 1999-2008.] However, the precise regulatory mechanism of this preferential initial endosome sorting has not yet been determined. Signaling for IFN- ⁇ production has been suggested to begin in the CpG / TLR9 interaction present in the early endosome [Honda K et al., (2005) Nature 434: 1035-1040 .; Guiducci C et al. 2006) Ikugami].
- D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 are composed of non-aggregating D-type sequences and phosphorothioate poly A tails, can induce both IFN- ⁇ and IL-6, and are similar to the intracellular distribution of C-type ODN However, its dose-response showed D-type ODN.
- D35-dAs40 and D35core-dAs40 it can be determined based on further setting conditions.
- FIGS. FIG. 13 shows the state of aggregation. It shows the state of aggregation.
- A2216 can be directly dissolved in raw food (10 mg / mL), but it becomes a very viscous solution and gels at 4 ° C. It becomes a sol at 37 ° C. (the viscosity is high but the fluidity is maintained).
- A2336 indicates that it cannot be directly dissolved in raw food.
- FIG. 14 shows the effect on immunostimulatory activity of dAs40 addition using A2216, B2006, C2395, and P21889 as other types of CpG ODN. It is understood that addition of dAs40 to other types of CpG ODNs (type A, type B, and type PDNs) also affects immunostimulatory activity in the same manner as D35.
- Example 3 Confirmation of aggregation suppression effect for A / D type CpG nucleic acids other than D35
- the aggregation inhibitory effect of dAs40 addition on A / D type CpG nucleic acids other than D35 was also confirmed by the operation of dissolving a freeze-dried vial directly with raw food, and INF ⁇ and IL- were used as biological activities against human PBMC. 6 was measured to confirm that IFNa and IL-6 production was maintained or enhanced as was observed when dAs40 was added to D35.
- FIG. 15 The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, it is shown that A2216-dAs40 (left) and A2336-dAs40 (right) (both 0.5 mg / vial) can be easily and completely dissolved in 50 ⁇ L of physiological saline at room temperature. It was done. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 15, human PBMC were stimulated with each oligonucleotide for 24 hours (1 ⁇ M), and the results of IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production in the supernatant were examined by ELISA.
- D type nucleic acids (A2216 and A2336) have also been demonstrated to have increased solubility in physiological saline by adding dAs40, and have similar effects on IFN- ⁇ and IL-6 production Thus, it was demonstrated that not only D35 but also the aggregation suppressing effect accompanying addition of dAs40 to D-type nucleic acid was observed.
- the direct solubility in physiological saline of other A / D type ODNs was confirmed by the presence or absence of addition of dAs40 tail.
- A2216 dissolved gradually but completely in saline at room temperature.
- the solution turned into a gel at 4 ° C.
- This gelation liquefied again at 37 ° C.
- A2336 did not dissolve in physiological saline and formed a gel-like aggregate. This was the same as D35 (see FIG. 13).
- Addition of dAs40 to A2216 and A2336 significantly improved the solubility in saline.
- A2216-dAs40 and A2336-dAs40 were readily dissolved in saline (FIG. 15). And it did not gel at 4 ° C. A2216-dAs40 and A2336-dAs40 also retained the ability to induce interferon- ⁇ (FIGS. 14 and 15D). These results demonstrate that the addition of dAs40 tail is also a useful modification for improved ODN management of other A / D types.
- Results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the structure is similar to D35 (one s is bonded to the 5 ′ end), but D35 ⁇ (two s are bonded to the 5 ′ end) is different in the number of s. ) Showed the same behavior as aggregation, stimulation with IFN- ⁇ and IL-6.
- Example 5 Formulation example
- An appropriate volume of physiological saline can be directly added to an appropriate amount of lyophilized D35-dAs40 to form a solution preparation for injection.
- An isotonic solution 5% glucose solution having an appropriate volume can be added to an appropriate amount of lyophilized D35-dAs40 to obtain a solution preparation for injection.
- An appropriate volume of D35-dAs40 dissolved in water can be added to an appropriate volume of electrolyte correction solution Otsuka salt injection 10% or the like to prepare a solution formulation for injection by adjusting the concentration to 0.9% NaCl.
- An appropriate amount of D35-dAs40 dissolved in water can be freeze-dried to obtain a freeze-dried preparation of D35-dAs40 sodium salt.
- Drugs used in the formulation can be obtained from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory (Tokushima, Japan) and Gene Design (Osaka, Japan).
- the present invention can be used in any industry related to CpG, such as the reagent industry and the pharmaceutical industry.
- SEQ ID NOs: 1-28 show the sequences listed in Table 1.
- SEQ ID NO: 29 Shows a D poly dAs40 tail.
- SEQ ID NO: 30 Shows K3 (atcgactctc gagcgttctc).
- SEQ ID NO: 31 Shows D35.
- SEQ ID NO: 32: D35A is shown.
- SEQ ID NO: 34: D35C is shown.
- SEQ ID NO: 49-54 Shows the sequence of FIG.
- SEQ ID NO: 55 This shows the phosphorothioated sequence of A2216.
- Sequence number 56 Shows the core part of A2216.
- SEQ ID NO: 57 This shows the phosphorothioated sequence of A2336.
- SEQ ID NO: 58 Shows the core part of A2336.
- SEQ ID NO: 59 This shows the phosphorothioated sequence of B2006.
- Sequence number 60 Shows the full length of B2006.
- SEQ ID NO: 61 This shows the phosphorothioated sequence of C2395.
- SEQ ID NO: 62 This shows the full length of C2395.
- SEQ ID NO: 63 This shows the phosphorothioated sequence of P21889.
- Sequence number 64 Shows the full length of P21889.
- Sequence number 65 Shows the full length of A2216.
- SEQ ID NO: 66 Shows the full length of A2336.
- SEQ ID NO: 67 CPG 7909 is shown.
- SEQ ID NO: 68 This shows PF-3512676.
- SEQ ID NO: 69 This shows CYT003-QBG10.
- SEQ ID NO: 70 1018 ISS is shown.
- SEQ ID NO: 71 Shows Kappaproduct (DIMS 0150).
- SEQ ID NO: 73 This shows the sequence of D35 ⁇ (starting with GsGs).
- SEQ ID NO: 74 This shows the sequence of dAs40-D35.
- SEQ ID NO: 75 This shows the sequence of D35-dAs40-D35. Sequence number 76: A2216 + dAs40 is shown. SEQ ID NO: 77: A2216core + dAs40 is shown. SEQ ID NO: 78: A2336 + dAs40 is shown. SEQ ID NO: 79: A2336core + dAs40 is shown. SEQ ID NO: 80: shows B2006 (PS) + dAs40. SEQ ID NO: 81: This shows B2006 (PO) + dAs40. SEQ ID NO: 82: C2395 (PS) + dAs40. SEQ ID NO: 83: This shows C2395 (PO) + dAs40. SEQ ID NO: 84: This shows P21889 (PS) + dAs40. SEQ ID NO: 85: P21889 (PO) + dAs40.
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Abstract
Description
(1)ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸を含む、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の送達剤。
(2)前記核酸は、グアニンに起因する高次凝集体の形成を防ぐものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(3)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約25%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(4)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約33%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(5)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(6)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%より高い、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(7)前記核酸は、約5塩基長以上のものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(8)前記核酸は、約100塩基長以下のものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(9)前記核酸は、約9~約100塩基長である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(10)前記送達剤は、生物活性を有する部分と結合されている、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(11)前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分、またはB/K型、C型もしくはP型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの全長を含む、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(12)前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を有する、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(13)前記生物活性を有する部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA)(配列番号22)、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、上記項目のいずれかに記載の送達剤。
(14)A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を含む、免疫賦活剤。
(15)前記免疫賦活剤は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドにおいて、前記コア部分以外に由来する配列を含まない、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(16)前記生物活性はインターフェロン(IFN)α産生誘導活性および/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導活性である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(17)前記コア部分は、A/D型の全長配列のうち、連続するGを取り除いた部分である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(18)前記コア部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(19)前記コア部分は、細胞導入用のビヒクルに含まれる、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(20)前記ビヒクルは、リポソームまたは項目1~13のいずれかに記載の送達剤である、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(21)免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分または全長と、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸とを含む、オリゴヌクレオチド。
(22)前記核酸は、グアニンに起因するマルチマーの形成を防ぐものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(23)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約25%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(24)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約33%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(25)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%以上である、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(26)前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%より高い、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(27)前記核酸は、5塩基長以上のものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(28)前記核酸は、約100塩基長以下のものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(29)前記核酸は、約9~約100塩基長である、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(30)前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分、またはB/K型、C型もしくはP型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの全長を含む、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(31)前記免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドは、A/D型であり、前記生物活性はインターフェロン(IFN)α産生誘導活性および/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導活性である、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(32)前記コア部分は、A/D型のうち、連続するGを取り除いた部分である、上記項目のいずれかのオリゴヌクレオチド。
(33)前記コア部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
(34)上記項目のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチドを含む免疫賦活剤。
(35)前記免疫賦活剤は、インターフェロン(IFN)αおよび/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導のためのものである、上記項目のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤。
(36)免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の送達において使用するためのホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸。
(37)項目2~13のいずれか1項または複数の項に記載される特徴をさらに備える、項目36に記載の核酸。
(38)免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬を送達するための方法であって、該方法は、該免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬を項目1~13のいずれかに記載の送達剤またはホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸と直接または例えばスペーサー等を介して結合させて被験体に投与する工程を包含する、方法。
(39)前記ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸は、項目1~13のいずれか1項または複数の項に記載される特徴をさらに備える、項目38に記載の方法。
(40)被験体の免疫を賦活する方法であって、該方法は、有効量の項目14~20、34および35のいずれかに記載の免疫賦活剤を該被験体に投与する工程を包含する、方法。
(41)免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の製造における、項目21~33のいずれかに記載のオリゴヌクレオチドの使用。 本発明において、上記1または複数の特徴は、明示された組み合わせに加え、さらに組み合わせて提供され得ることが意図される。本発明のなおさらなる実施形態および利点は、必要に応じて以下の詳細な説明を読んで理解すれば、当業者に認識される。
本発明は、上記種々の形態の医薬(治療薬または予防薬)として提供される。
以下に本発明の好ましい実施形態を説明する。以下に提供される実施形態は、本発明のよりよい理解のために提供されるものであり、本発明の範囲は以下の記載に限定されるべきでないことが理解される。従って、当業者は、本明細書中の記載を参酌して、本発明の範囲内で適宜改変を行うことができることは明らかである。また、本発明の以下の実施形態は単独でも使用されあるいはそれらを組み合わせて使用することができることが理解される。
本発明は、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸を含む、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の送達剤(本明細書において、その各実施形態を含め「本発明の送達剤」とも称する。)を提供する。したがって、本発明はまた、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬を送達するための方法であって、該方法は、上記免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬を、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸を含む送達剤またはホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸と直接または例えばスペーサー等を介して結合させて被験体に投与する工程を包含する、方法を提供する。この局面は、Tailユニットのみに着目したものである。このような核酸は、本明細書において「Tail核酸」ともいうことがある。1つの実施形態では、前記核酸は、グアニンに起因するマルチマーの形成を防ぐものである。しかしながら、代表的なCpGであるD35についてみると、グアニンを他の塩基(A、T、C等)に変更するとGをA、T、Cに変更すると核酸単独での細胞導入が不可能になるため、医薬としての利用に限界があることが示された。そこで、Core(コア)配列を抽出したところ、Core配列のみでIFN-α産生誘導活性があることが示されていることから、これを効率的に細胞導入することができれば、有用な医薬になる。リポソーム化が従来技術であったが、煩雑な技術であったことから、簡便な技術の提供が待たれていた。また、Core配列を用いた場合に送達がうまくできないという現象が観察されていた。これらからコア配列のみでは、送達が十分にできないため、せっかくの薬効が発揮されないという問題もあった。そこで、本発明は、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸を提供することによって、送達を防止する現象を防ぎ、自己導入能を示すTailユニットが提供され、送達ないし細胞導入が可能となり、有効なIFN-α活性を提供するCpG ODNユニットを提供することができた。ここで、単剤で細胞に導入され、IFN-α産生能を得るためにはTailの部分におけるホスホロチオエート化が有利なことが判明した。このように、A/Dタイプの核酸アジュバントが活性本体と細胞導入の2つのユニットに分かれるという着想はこれまでに知られておらず、本発明における一つの特徴であるといえる。また、本発明では、構造活性相関試験を行い、どのパラメータがどのように活性に影響を与えるかが理解され、最適化が可能である。
D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56)、
A2216の全長部分(ggggGACGA:TCGTCgggggg(配列番号65);大文字はコア部分を示す。)
A2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))、
A2336の全長部分(ggggACGAC:GTCGTggggggg(配列番号66);大文字はコア部分を示す。)
B2006の全長(TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT配列番号60)、
C2395の全長(TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCG(配列番号62))、
P21889の全長(TCGTCGACGATCGGCGCGCGCCG(配列番号64))、
CPG 7909:TsCsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsT(配列番号67;B/K型)
PF-3512676:TsCsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsT(配列番号68;B/K型)
CYT003-QBG10:GGGGGGGGGGGACGATCGTCGGGGGGGGGG(配列番号69;A/D型)
1018 ISS:TsGsAsCsTsGsTsGsAsAsCsGsTsTsCsGsAsGsAsTsGsA(配列番号70;B/K型)
Kappaproct (DIMS 0150):GsGsAsACAGTTCGTCCATsGsGsC(配列番号71;A/D型)
を含むがこれらに限定されない(sはホスホロチオエート結合を意味する)。
1つの局面において、本発明はA/D型、B/K型、C型またはD型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を含む、免疫賦活剤(本明細書において、その各実施形態を含め「本発明の免疫賦活剤」ということがある。)を提供する。理論に束縛されることを望まないが、コア部分のみで、免疫賦活化でき、IFN-α産生誘導活性および/またはインターロイキン6産生誘導活性があることが見出されたことから、本発明は、設計範囲が広い、免疫賦活剤を提供することができる。したがって、本発明はまた、被験体の免疫を賦活する方法であって、該方法は、A/D型、B/K型、C型またはD型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を含む免疫賦活剤の有効量を該被験体に投与する工程を包含する、方法を提供する。
さらなる局面において、本発明は、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分または全長と、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸とを含む、オリゴヌクレオチド(本明細書において「本発明のオリゴヌクレオチド」ということがある)を提供する。
D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、
A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56)、
A2216の全長部分(ggggGACGA:TCGTCgggggg(配列番号65);大文字はコア部分を示す。)
A2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))、
A2336の全長部分(ggggACGAC:GTCGTggggggg(配列番号66);大文字はコア部分を示す。)
B2006の全長(TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT配列番号60)、
C2395の全長(TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCG(配列番号62))、
P21889の全長(TCGTCGACGATCGGCGCGCGCCG(配列番号64))、
CPG 7909:TsCsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsT(配列番号67)
PF-3512676:TsCsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsTsTsTsGsTsCsGsTsT(配列番号68)
CYT003-QBG10:GGGGGGGGGGGACGATCGTCGGGGGGGGGG(配列番号69)
1018 ISS:TsGsAsCsTsGsTsGsAsAsCsGsTsTsCsGsAsGsAsTsGsA(配列番号70)
Kappaproct (DIMS 0150):GsGsAsACAGTTCGTCCATsGsGsC(配列番号71)
から選択され得る(sはホスホロチオエート結合を意味する)。
別の局面では、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の製造における、本発明のオリゴヌクレオチドの使用が提供される。この局面において使用されるオリゴヌクレオチドは、本明細書に記載される任意の形態を用いることができることが理解される。
本明細書において用いられる分子生物学的手法、生化学的手法、微生物学的手法は、当該分野において周知であり慣用されるものであり、例えば、Sambrook J. et al.(1989). Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harborおよびその3rd Ed.(2001); Ausubel, F.M.(1987).Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub. Associates and Wiley-Interscience; Ausubel, F.M.(1989). Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub. Associates and Wiley-Interscience; Innis, M.A.(1990).PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press; Ausubel, F.M.(1992).Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub. Associates; Ausubel, F.M. (1995).Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Pub. Associates; Innis, M.A. et al.(1995).PCR Strategies, Academic Press; Ausubel, F.M.(1999).Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: A Compendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley, and annual updates; Sninsky, J.J. et al.(1999). PCR Applications: Protocols for Functional Genomics, Academic Press、別冊実験医学「遺伝子導入&発現解析実験法」羊土社、1997などに記載されており、これらは本明細書において関連する部分(全部であり得る)が参考として援用される。
以下、本実施例において、代表的な免疫賦活剤であるD35(配列番号31)を用いて、ポリdAs40テイル付加A/DタイプODNは元のD35と同様の免疫賦活化潜在能力を有することを実証した。
インフォームド・コンセントを得た日本人の健康な成人ボランティアからPBMCを調製した。ヒトPBMCを用いた実験はすべて、独立行政法人医薬基盤研究所研究倫理審査委員会による承認を受けた(承認番号44)。Ficoll-Paque PLUS(GE Healthcare)とLeucoSep(Greiner)を用いてPBMCを調製した後、これらのPBMCを、10% 胎仔ウシ血清、100単位/mL ペニシリンおよび100μg/mL ストレプトマイシンを補充したRPMI1640培地(すべて、ナカライテスク株式会社(京都)製)中に、2×107細胞/mL(96ウェル平底プレート、合計100μL容量/ウェル)の濃度でプレーティングした。
以下の表1に列挙するODNを株式会社ジーンデザイン(大阪、日本)により合成した。
汎IFN-α ELISAキット(MabtechまたはPBL製)およびヒトIL-6 ELISAキット(DuoSet;R&D Systems製)を、製造業者の説明書に従って用いて、上清中のサイトカインを測定した。ELISAは、3,3’,5,5’-テトラメチルベンジジン(TMB)(KPL製)で発色させた。一部の実験では、Milliplexアッセイ(MPXHCYTO60KPMX26;Millipore製)もまた、製造業者の説明書に従って実施した。
Wyatt DynaPro PlateReader II(Wyatt Technology,USA)を用いてDLSの測定を行った。サンプル(PBS中1mg/mL、18時間以上保存したもの)を、384ウェルプレート(20μL/ウェル)中で測定した(25℃にて20回取得した)。多分散性、流体力学半径および分子量を、Dynamicsソフトウェアv7.1.7.16(Wyatt Technology,USA)によって分析した。
D35(PBS中1mg/mL)をFormvar-カーボンコートグリッドに滴下し(10μL)、グリッドへの付着のために2時間インキュベートした。陰性染色のために、サンプルを蒸留水で3回洗浄し、次いで、2%(wt/vol)の酢酸ウラニル(pH4.0)を一滴グリッド上に置き、風乾させた。このグリッドを、電子顕微鏡(Hitachi H-7650)によって10,000倍の倍率で調べた。
アルカリ変性させたSPG(分子量150,000)の溶液(0.25N NaOH中15mg/mL)をODN溶液(NaH2PO4中100μM)に加え、徹底的に混合した。この混合物を4℃にて一晩置き、複合体形成を完了させた。モル比(SPG:DNA)は0.27に固定した。ODNとSPGとの間の複合体形成効率を、MultiNAマイクロチップ電気泳動装置(島津製作所,京都)を使用することによって、混合溶液中の残留遊離ODNから推定した。
カニクイザル(Macaca fascicularis)を入手し、独立行政法人医薬基盤研究所(NIBIO)のつくば霊長類医科学研究センターで維持した。実験はすべて、NIBIOの動物実験委員会によって承認されたプロトコール(承認番号:DS22-4R1)の下で行い、屠殺を最小限にするためのあらゆる試みを行った。0日目と14日目に、カニクイザルに、K3(4.7nmol)、D35(4.7nmol)、D35-dAs40(4.7nmol)、D35core-dAs40(4.7nmol)、またはD35-SPG(D35-dAs40の量として4.7nmol)と共に、あるいは、これら無しで、インフルエンザスプリットワクチン(SV)(5μg)(A/New Caledonia/20/99,阪大微生物病研究会)を皮下(s.c.)投与した。初回免疫後4週および8週の時点で血清を回収した。血清中の抗SV総IgGをELISAによって測定した。各血清サンプルを連続希釈し、抗体力価をOD450=0.2における希釈の逆数として計算した。
Graphpad Prism 5ソフトウェアを用いて統計的に有意な差を計算した。サイトカインの分析については対応有りのt検定を、そして、抗体力価の分析については両側ノンパラメトリックMann-Whitney U検定を用いた。
(ポリdAs40テイル付加A/DタイプODNは元のD35と同様の免疫賦活化潜在能力を有する)
本発明者らはこれまでに、K3 CpG-ODNとシゾフィラン(SPG)の粒子状可溶性複合体である第二世代のB/KタイプCpGアジュバント、K3-SPGを開発した[Kobiyama Kら,(2014) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,vol.111 no.83086-3091, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1319268111.; Koyama Sら, (2010)Science Translational Medicine 2:25ra24]。K3 ODNとSPGの間で複合体を形成するために、K3 ODNは、3’末端にホスホロチオエートデオキシアデニル酸40マー(dAs40テイル)を追加することによって修飾されなければならず、この3’末端において、SPGとdAs40テイルが三重らせんの複合体を形成する[Kobiyama Kら,(2014)上掲]。これらの実験と並行して、本発明者らはまた、同様のテイルを付加したD35 ODNを合成し、ヒトPBMCに対するその免疫賦活化活性(IFN-αおよびIL-6の誘導)を調べた。サイトカインELISAは、3’末端に追加のdAs40テイルを有するD35(A/DタイプCpG-ODN)が元のD35と同様に活性であることを明らかにした(図1Aの1とD35を比較;本実験で用いた各ODN配列は表1に示される)。その後の実験はさらに、3’のグアニン六量体を、アデニン、チミンおよびシトシンの六量体に置き換えた場合でも、dAs40テイルを持つ一部のD35由来ODNもまた生物学的に活性であることを明らかにした(図1Aの5、9および13を参照)。この結果はどちらかといえば予想外であった。というのも、グアニン六量体は、フーグスティーン塩基対形成により四重鎖構造を形成し、自己凝集を生じ[Costa LTら,(2004)Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 313:1065-1072.;Klein DCら,(2010)Ultramicroscopy 110: 689-693.]、そして、グアニン六量体を介した凝集は、A/DタイプCpG ODNの生物学的活性にとって不可避な要件であると考えられていたからである[Verthelyi Dら,(2001)J Immunol 166:2372-2377.; Kerkmann Mら, (2005) J Biol Chem 280:8086-8093.; Wu CCら,(2004) J Biol Chem 279:33071-33078.; Puig Mら, (2006)Nucleic Acids Res 34:6488-6495.]。他方ヒトPBMCに対するD35由来ODNの免疫賦活化活性は、完全にCpG配列の存在に依存しており、非メチル化CpGモチーフ理論[Krieg AM(2002)Annual Review of Immunology 20:709-760.]と一致していた(図1Aの9と10~12を比較)。これらの結果は、グアニン六量体配列の存在が、A/DタイプODNの免疫賦活化活性にとっての必須の要件ではない一方で、D35由来ODNの活性はCpGモチーフ配列の存在に強く依存することを示した。
ホスホジエステルCpG ODNへのグアニン六量体の付加は、その細胞取り込みを向上させたことが知られている[Bartz Hら, (2004) Vaccine 23:148-155.; Dalpke AHら, (2002)Immunology 106:102-112.]。この事実と軌を一にするように、ホスホロチオエートODNはタンパク質に非特異的に結合することが示された[Brown DAら,(1994)Journal of Biological Chemistry 269:26801-26805.]。さらに、ホスホロチオエートCpG ODNは、ホスホジエステルCpG ODNよりも細胞によって効率的に取り込まれることも示されている。これらの知見は、dAs40テイルの追加がおそらくは、ホスホロチオエート骨格を介した非特異的な結合によってODNの細胞内取り込みを向上させたことを示唆した。これらの報告に基づき、本発明者らは、ヒトPBMCに対するD35T-dAs40とD35T-dA40(元のグアニン六量体をチミン六量体で置き換え、テイルは、ホスホロチオエートまたはホスホジエステルポリA40のいずれかから構成されるもの)の免疫賦活化活性を比較することによって、化学骨格構造の要件を検討した(図1Bの1と2を比較)。ODNの生物学的活性は、ホスホロチオエートテイルの存在に依存しており、ホスホジエステルテイルのODNを追加しても、サイトカイン反応はほとんど観察されなかった(図1Bの1と2を比較)。本発明者らはまた、ポリA(s)40の代わりにポリT(s)40またはポリC(s)40などの他のポリヌクレオチド40マーテイルについても検討し、dTs40テイルよりも、dAs40テイルおよびdCs40テイルを追加した場合に比較的より強いサイトカイン反応が認められた(図1Bの1、3および5を参照のこと)ものの、サイトカイン反応は、ポリヌクレオチドテイルの塩基とは無関係であったが、ホスホロチオエート骨格の存在に依存していたことを見出した(図1Bの3~6を参照のこと)。
本発明者らはまた、ホスホロチオエートポリヌクレオチドテイルを持たない、アデニン、チミンおよびシトシンの六量体を含有するD35のヒトPBMCに対する免疫賦活化活性を試験した(図1C)。これまでの報告[Verthelyi Dら,(2001) J Immunol 166: 2372-2377.; Yamamoto Tら,(1994)Microbiol Immunol 38:831-836.; Lee SWら, (2000) The Journal of Immunology 165:3631-3639.]と一致して、元のD35の免疫賦活化活性は、グアニン六量体の存在に依存していた(図2)。アデニン、チミンおよびシトシンの六量体を含有するD35(D35A、D35TおよびD35C)は、ヒトPBMCに対して効果を有さなかった(図2;黒いバー)。これに対し、これらにDOTAPを追加した場合、同じODNが比較的高活性となった(図2、白いバー)。このDOTAPは、カチオン性脂質(N-[1-(2,3-ジオレオイルオキシ)プロピル]-N,N,N-トリメチルアンモニウムメチルスルファート)であり、TLR9媒介性のシグナル伝達が開始する特定のエンドソーム区画へのCpG-ODNの標的化に使用されている[Yasuda Kら,(2005)Journal of immunology(Baltimore, Md: 1950) 174: 6129-6136.; Honda Kら,(2005)Nature 434: 1035-1040.]。この結果は、ODNをDOTAPによって細胞取り込みおよび適切なエンドソーム区画へと標的化させる場合、A/DタイプODNの生物学的活性が、グアニン六量体の配列を必要としないことを示した。
本発明者らはまた、いくつかのdAs40テイルD35関連のODNについて、動的光散乱法(DLS)を用いてその物理的性質を調べた(図3)。臨床応用可能なA/DタイプODNの医薬品及び医薬部外品の製造管理及び品質管理の基準(GMP)を満たす品質での合成は、ODN生成物の制御不能な多型、凝集および沈殿につながる、Gテイル依存性の多量体化によって妨げられている[Puig Mら,(2006) Nucleic Acids Res 34: 6488-6495.](図3および5)。元のD35(1mg/mL)は、PBS中で目に種々の不均一な凝集物の形成を示し、24時間以内に目に見える濁りが生じた(図3C)。特に、水中のD35では濁りは観察されなかった。DLS分析は、濁りが、広く分散された凝集物(平均直径約50nm~1μm超のサイズ範囲)から成ることを明らかにした(図3A~3B)。これに対し、PBS中の同じ濃度のD35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40は、目に見える沈殿を形成せず(図3C)、ODNのサイズは、20nm未満であり、DLSにシャープなピークを有していた(図3A~3B、表2)。
本発明者らはさらに、用量滴定によってこれらのODNの免疫賦活化活性を評価した(図4A)。D35、D35-dAs40(グアニン六量体配列を含む)およびD35core-dAs40(グアニン六量体配列を含まない)を含むすべてのODNが、ヒトPBMCからのIFN-αおよびIL-6反応の増加を用量依存性の様式で誘導した(図4A)。これに対し、最近報告されたPタイプのODN、21889(これは、二量体の構造の凝集物の形成を促進する2つのパリンドローム配列を直列に含むホスホロチオエート骨格から構成される)[Samulowitz Uら,(2010) Oligonucleotides 20: 93-101.]は、より高濃度で使用した場合、IFN-αおよびIL-6反応の減少を示した(図4A)。
本発明者らはまた、5’GG配列および3’チミン六量体のような、D35core 12マーからの隣接配列について、IFN-α産生に対する影響を調べた(図4B)。D35のコア配列(12マー)のみでは、サイトカイン反応を誘導しなかった(図4B)が、この12マーへのdAs40テイルの追加は、匹敵する量のIFN-αを誘導するのに十分であった。重要なことに、これは、DOTAPの非存在下での結果であった。チミン六量体の存在は、生物学的活性を低下させるようであった。これらの結果は、5’GG配列および3’チミン六量体のようなコア隣接配列が、このタイプのODNの免疫賦活化活性にとって必須ではなかったことを示唆した(図4B)。
本発明者らはまた、免疫賦活化活性に対するホスホロチオエートAポリマーテイルの長さの影響を調べた。ヒトPBMCを同量の示したODN(1μM)で刺激した場合、IFN-αおよびIL-6の産生は、dAsテイルの長さと正の相関関係にあった(図4C)。各ODN濃度の影響を調べると、増加する濃度の各ODN(検討した最大濃度は9μM)は、同じレベルのIFN-αおよびIL-6産生を誘導し(図4D)、より長いテイルのODNがより効率的に取り込まれたことが示唆された。しかしながら、長いテイルのODNも、短いテイルのODNも、おそらくは同じ取り込み機構を利用しており、したがって、プラトー様のサイトカイン反応に達した(図4D)。まとめると、これらのデータは、CpGモチーフを含有する短いODNへのホスホロチオエートポリヌクレオチドテイルの追加が、免疫賦活化A/DタイプODNを生成するのに十分であり、これは、制御された物理的性質を持つGMPを順守したA/DタイプODNを生成するための有用な戦略となる。
本発明者らは、D35 CpG ODNのホスホロチオエートポリヌクレオチドの要件(例えば、テイルの長さ(図9)、テイルのホスホロチオエート化の程度(図10)、およびテイルのヌクレオチド組成(図11)を理解するための一連の実験をさらに行った。まず、D35coreを種々の数(長さ)のdAについて、試験して、IFN-αおよびIL-6の誘導について試験した(図9。IFN-α誘導はD35coreについては観察されず、dAs6で少し観察された。IFN-αの量は、dAの長さがdAs60に達するに従い増加した。興味深いことに、dAsテイルを100までさらに延長しても、改善は見られず、むしろ、IFN-αの誘導は減少した。対照的に、IL-6の産生は、増加し、dAs100まで増加が維持された。次に、D35core-dAs50を用いることによって、ホスホロチオエート化を100%から15%に減らした(図10)。dA40におけるホスホロチオエート化の50%の減少ですら、IFN-α誘導活性の劇的な減少を招いた。IL-6の産生の感受性はそれほどではなかったが、これもまた、ホスホロチオエートの減少に伴い迅速に減少した。25%以下のホスホロチオエート化では、IL-6産生は観察されなかった。第三に、ヌクレオチド組成の要件についてD35-dNs40を用いて試験した。完全にランダムのdNs40テイル化ODNでは、実質的なIFN-α産生は誘導されなかった(図11、核酸番号10(DS35-dNs40))。dNs40-テイルのグアノシンの量を10%から90%に増加させると、dNs40テイルにおけるHoogsteen塩基対形成の増大が期待される。グアノシン量が増大するにつれ、IFN-αの産生が増大したが、D35-dNs40(91%G)ですらIFN-αの誘導は比較的少量にとどまった(図S4、9)。これらの結果すべてをまとめると、1)全長、2)ホスホロチオエート化、および3)ヌクレオチド組成(AポリマーがGリッチランダマーより優れる)のすべてが、ホスホロチオエートポリヌクレオチドテイルODNの免疫刺激剤の活性に重要な因子であり得ることが理解される。これらの結果から、本発明者らは、D35-dAs40およびD35コア-dAs40を、臨床応用のプロトタイプとして選択した。
生理食塩水のような塩含有溶液中への免疫賦活化ODNの直接的な溶解性は、その臨床応用を促進するために重要な要件である。それゆえ、本発明者らは、凍結乾燥したD35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40の生理食塩水中への直接的な溶解性を調べた。10mgの凍結乾燥ODNを含有するバイアル(図5A)に、1mLの無菌生理食塩水溶液を直接注入した。K3およびD35core-dAs40は生理食塩水中に容易に溶解した(図5B)。D35-dAs40(グアニン六量体配列を含む)は、ゆっくりとではあるが、5分以内に完全に溶解した(図5B)。これらのODN溶液を4℃にて1ヶ月保存した場合でも、目に見える沈殿または凝集物は観察されなかった。これに対し、元のD35は、生理食塩水中に容易に溶解せず、不均質なゼラチン状の凝集物を形成した(図5B)。これらの結果は、D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40が、特に臨床応用に関して、元のD35よりも容易に取り扱えることを実証した。
次に、本発明者らは、シゾフィラン(SPG)と複合体化(SPG化)させることによって、D35由来のODNの免疫賦活化プロフィールを向上させることを試みた。D35-SPG、SPG-D35およびD35-SPG-D35を、D35-dAs40、dAs40-D35およびdAs40-D35-dAs40をそれぞれSPGと複合体化させることによって作製した。複合体化の効率をMultiNAマイクロチップ電気泳動装置によって評価したところ、以下のとおりとなった:D35-SPG(99.4%)、SPG-D35(96.7%)およびD35-SPG-D35(49.8%)。これは、D35-SPGまたはSPG-D35のいずれかの溶液中のODNが、ほぼ完全に複合体化されたのに対し、D35-SPG-D35溶液中では50%のODNしか複合体化されなかったことを示す。ヒトPBMCを、SPG化したODNで刺激して、IFN-αおよびIL-6の分泌をELISAにより決定した(図6)。K3-SPG[Kobiyama Kら,(2014)Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,vol.111 no. 8 3086-3091,doi: 10.1073/pnas.1319268111.]と対照的に、D35の5’または3’SPG化は、サイトカイン産生を向上させなかったが、非SPG化ODNと比較してIFN-αおよびIL-6の分泌を減少させた(図6)。とりわけ、D35-SPGは、SPG-D35よりも大きな免疫賦活化効果を有した(図6)。特筆すべきことに、D35-dAs40およびdAs40-D35のような5’末端または3’末端にdAs40が追加された非SPG化ODNは、匹敵する免疫賦活化活性を示した(図6)。しかしながら、本発明者らは、別の実験において、dAs40-D35よりもD35-dAs40で、わずかに良好なサイトカイン産生を観察した。興味深いことに、dAs40-D35もまた、PBS中の可視の大きな凝集形成が見られなかった(図12)。D35-SPG-D35はPBMCからのIFN-αおよびIL-6分泌をかなり増強したが、複合体化の効率は、わずか約50%であった。D35-SPG-D35は、K3-SPG[Kobiyama Kら,(2014)上掲]と同様のサイトカインプロフィールの向上を示した。
本発明者らは最後に、サルワクチンモデルにおけるD35-dAs40、D35core-dAs40およびD35-SPGのインビボアジュバント有効性を検討し、K3および元のD35のものと比較した(図7)。6群のサル(n=2または3)を、示したインフルエンザスプリットワクチン(SV)+アジュバントで2回(2週間間隔)皮下免疫し、初回の免疫から8週間後に、血清中のSV特異的なIgG反応をELISAにより調べた(図7A)。D35-dAs40およびD35-SPGは、K3および元のD35よりも良好かつより一貫したアジュバント性を示した(図7B)。本発明者らはまた、別のサルのセットの実験を行って、元のD35とD35core-dAs40を比較したところ、D35core-dAs40もまた、元のD35より優れたアジュバント性を示すことが分かった(図7C)。これらの結果は、D35-dAs40、D35core-dAs40およびD35-SPGが、少なくともインフルエンザスプリットワクチンのワクチン接種に関して、サルにおいてインビボでK3および元のD35と比較して、アジュバントとして同等またはより良好に機能することを示唆した。特筆すべきことに、インビトロでのIFN-αおよびIL-6プロフィールは、インビボでのアジュバント性と十分に相関していなかった。それゆえ、本発明者らは、D35、D35-dAs40またはD35-SPGで刺激した(アッセイに十分な量のサルPBMCを入手できないという制限により、サルのPBMCの代わりに)ヒトPBMCを用いて26多重サイトカインアッセイを実施した(図8)。検出された18種のサイトカインの中では、インビトロでのサイトカインと、インビボでのアジュバント性の間に相関性は見出されなかった(図8)。
本実施例において、本発明者らは、ヒトにおける臨床応用のための2種類の新規プロトタイプ非凝集性免疫賦活化A/DタイプODN、D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40に代表される送達剤を開発した。これらのODNは、高IFN-αおよび低IL-6誘導プロフィールを持つ元のD35と同様のヒトPBMCからのサイトカイン誘導プロフィールを示したが、これらのサイトカイン間での全体的なバランスは、B/KタイプODNのものに向かってわずかにシフトした(元のD35と比較して、IFN-αがわずかに減少し、IL-6が増加した;図1)。D35-dAs40とD35core-dAs40の最も重要な特徴は、生理食塩水中へのその優れた溶解性であった。バイアル中に保存された凍結乾燥D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40は、生理食塩水溶液を注入することによって直接溶解することが可能であり(図5)、この特徴は、臨床上の投与に必要な特徴であって、その用途は大きく広がる。加えて、D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40はともに、インフルエンザSVアジュバントとして用いた場合に、カニクイザルにおいて元のD35よりも良好なアジュバント性を示した(図6)。D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40は一般に、インビトロでは元のD35と比べて比較的減少したIFN-αとより多いIL-6を示した(図4)ので、この結果は予想外であった。B細胞の直接的な活性化と強力なIL-6サイトカイン誘導に起因して良好な抗体反応を誘導すると考えられるK3と比較した場合も、D35-dAs40は、サルにおいて、より良好でかつより確実な抗インフルエンザ抗体反応を示した(図7)。このことは、D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40がともに、インビボで優れたワクチンアジュバントであることを示唆した。本発明者らはまた、サルにおいて、D35-dAs40とSPGから成るD35-SPGを検討した。D35-SPGは、インビトロにおいてIFN-αおよびIL-6の減少したレベルを示したが、D35-SPGは、インビボにおいてD35-dAs40と匹敵するアジュバント性を有した(図7)。これらのデータは、インビトロでODNによって誘導されるサイトカインの量と品質が、インビボでのそのアジュバント性と相関しないことを示した。体内分布の違いは、修飾ODNのアジュバント性に影響を及ぼす別の重要な因子であり得る。ODNの体内分布に関するさらなる調査が必要とされる。
ヒトPBMCにおけるB/KタイプCpG ODNに対するサイトカイン反応の不均一性が報告されている[Leifer CAら, (2003) J Immunother 26:313-319.]。全体的な反応は、様々なヒトPBMCサンプル間で大きくは一致していたが、本発明者らもまた、本実施例において検討したA/DタイプODNの非凝集性誘導体に対して可変的な反応を認めた。このタイプのODNの臨床応用にとって、これらの個体間での違いの原因のさらなる調査を検討することができる。以上から、D35-dAs40およびD35core-dAs40を含むA/DタイプODNの非凝集形態が、臨床応用可能なA/DタイプODNのさらなる開発のための有望な出発物質であるといえる。
次に、本実施例では、他のCpG ODNでD35と同様の効果が示されるかどうかを確認した。
A2216:g^g^gggacgatcgtc^g^g^g^g^g^g(配列番号55)
A2216core:gacgatcgtc(配列番号56)
A2336:g^g^g^gacgacgtcgtg^g^g^g^g^g^g(配列番号57)
A2336core:acgacgtcgt(配列番号58)
B2006(PS):t^c^g^t^c^g^t^t^t^t^g^t^c^g^t^t^t^t^g^t^c^g^t^t(配列番号59)
B2006(PO):tcgtcgttttgtcgttttgtcgtt(配列番号60)
C2395(PS):t^c^g^t^c^g^t^t^t^t^c^g^g^c^g^c^g^c^g^c^c^g(配列番号61)
C2395(PO):tcgtcgttttcggcgcgcgccg(配列番号62)
P21889(PS):t^c^g^t^c^g^a^c^g^a^t^c^g^g^c^g^c^g^c^g^c^c^g(配列番号63)
P21889(PO):tcgtcgacgatcggcgcgcgccg(配列番号64)
図13~図14に結果を示す。図13は、凝集の様子を示すものである。凝集の様子を示すものである。A2216は直接生食に溶解(10mg/mL)させることは可能だが、非常に粘性の高い溶液となり、4℃の場合はゲル化している。37℃ではゾル状となる(粘度は高いが流動性は保たれる)。A2336は直接生食に溶解させることはできないことを示す。
次に、本実施例では、D35以外のA/D型CpG核酸についてもdAs40付加による凝集抑制効果を凍結乾燥バイアルを直接生食で溶解する操作で確認し、ヒトPBMCに対する生物活性としてINFαおよびIL-6を測定し、D35にdAs40を付加した際に認められたのと同様にIFNaおよびIL-6の産生は維持または増強されたことを確認した。
方法および材料としては、実施例1に記載したD35において行ったのと同様の実験(本明細書上記を参照。)に準じた実験を行い、また、実施例1~2において示した配列と一部かぶるが以下の配列を用いて実験を行った。
A2216:g^g^gggacgatcgtc^g^g^g^g^g^g(配列番号55)
A2216core:gacgatcgtc(配列番号56)
A2216-dAs40:(配列番号76)
A2336:g^g^g^gacgacgtcgtg^g^g^g^g^g^g(配列番号57)
A2336core:acgacgtcgt(配列番号58)
A2336-dAs40:(配列番号78)
D35(配列番号31)
D35-dAs40:(配列番号1)
D35core-dAs40:(配列番号23)
コントロール(刺激なし)
K3:(配列番号30)
結果を図15に示す。図15に示されるように、A2216-dAs40(左)およびA2336-dAs40(右)(いずれも0.5mg/バイアル)が容易にかつ完全に、50μLの生理食塩水に常温で溶解することが示された。また、図15下段に示されるように、ヒトPBMCをそれぞれのオリゴヌクレオチドで24時間刺激した(1μM)結果をELISAで上清におけるIFN-αおよびIL-6の産生を調べたところ、D35以外のDタイプ核酸(A2216とA2336)についてもdAs40を付加することで生理食塩水への溶解性を高めることができること、およびがIFN-αおよびIL-6の産生にも同様の効果があることが実証され、D35のみならず、D型核酸にdAs40を付加することに伴う凝集抑制効果がみられることが実証された。
次に、本実施例では、5‘末端のホスホロチオエート化(s)の個数が1個の場合と2個の場合とで生理食塩水に溶解した場合に凝集する性質およびヒトPBMCからのIFNαおよびIL-6産生について、ほぼ同じであることを実証した。以下にその詳細を示す。
製剤化する場合には、以下のような製法によって製造することができる。
(例1)凍結乾燥したD35-dAs40の適宜の量に適宜の容積の生理食塩水を直接加えて注射用溶液製剤とすることができる。
(例2)凍結乾燥したD35-dAs40の適宜の量に適宜の容積の等張液5%ブドウ糖液を加えて注射用溶液製剤とすることができる。
(例3)水に溶解されたD35-dAs40の適宜の量に適宜の容積の電解質補正液大塚食塩注10%などを加え0.9% NaCl濃度に調製し注射用溶液製剤とすることができる。
(例4)水に溶解されたD35-dAs40の適宜の量を凍結乾燥し、D35-dAs40ナトリウム塩の凍結乾燥製剤とすることができる。
配列番号29:DポリdAs40テイルを示す。
配列番号30:K3(atcgactctc gagcgttctc)を示す。
配列番号31:D35を示す。
配列番号32:D35Aを示す。
配列番号33:D35Tを示す。
配列番号34:D35Cを示す。
配列番号35~48:図9の配列を示す。
配列番号49~54:図10の配列を示す。
配列番号55:A2216のホスホロチオエート化配列を示す。
配列番号56:A2216のコア部分を示す。
配列番号57:A2336のホスホロチオエート化配列を示す。
配列番号58:A2336のコア部分を示す。
配列番号59:B2006のホスホロチオエート化配列を示す。
配列番号60:B2006の全長を示す。
配列番号61:C2395のホスホロチオエート化配列を示す。
配列番号62:C2395の全長を示す。
配列番号63:P21889のホスホロチオエート化配列を示す。
配列番号64:P21889の全長を示す。
配列番号65:A2216の全長を示す。
配列番号66:A2336の全長を示す。
配列番号67:CPG 7909を示す。
配列番号68:PF-3512676を示す。
配列番号69:CYT003-QBG10を示す。
配列番号70:1018 ISSを示す。
配列番号71:Kappaproct (DIMS 0150)を示す。
配列番号72:D35-dNs40(GsGsTGCATCGATGCAGGGGsGsGs-Ns40)を示す。
配列番号73:D35βの配列(GsGsで始まる)を示す。
配列番号74:dAs40-D35の配列を示す。
配列番号75:D35-dAs40-D35の配列を示す。
配列番号76:A2216+dAs40を示す。
配列番号77:A2216core+dAs40を示す。
配列番号78:A2336+dAs40を示す。
配列番号79:A2336core+dAs40を示す。
配列番号80:B2006(PS)+dAs40を示す。
配列番号81:B2006(PO)+dAs40を示す。
配列番号82:C2395(PS)+dAs40を示す。
配列番号83:C2395(PO)+dAs40を示す。
配列番号84:P21889(PS)+dAs40を示す。
配列番号85:P21889(PO)+dAs40を示す。
Claims (35)
- ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸を含む、免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチド核酸医薬の送達剤。
- 前記核酸は、グアニンに起因する高次凝集体の形成を防ぐものである、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約25%以上である、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約33%以上である、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%以上である、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%より高い、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸は、約5塩基長以上のものである、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸は、約100塩基長以下のものである、請求項7に記載の送達剤。
- 前記核酸は、約9~約100塩基長である、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記送達剤は、生物活性を有する部分と結合されている、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分、またはB/K型、C型もしくはP型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの全長を含む、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を有する、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- 前記生物活性を有する部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA)(配列番号22)、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、請求項1に記載の送達剤。
- A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分を含む、免疫賦活剤。
- 前記免疫賦活剤は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドにおいて、前記コア部分以外に由来する配列を含まない、請求項14に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 前記生物活性はインターフェロン(IFN)α産生誘導活性および/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導活性である、請求項14に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 前記コア部分は、A/D型の全長配列のうち、連続するGを取り除いた部分である、請求項14に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 前記コア部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、請求項14に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 前記コア部分は、細胞導入用のビヒクルに含まれる、請求項14に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 前記ビヒクルは、リポソームまたは請求項1に記載の送達剤である、請求項19に記載の免疫賦活剤。
- 免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分または全長と、ホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドを含む核酸とを含む、オリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸は、グアニンに起因するマルチマーの形成を防ぐものである、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約25%以上である、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約33%以上である、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%以上である、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸中のホスホロチオエート化ヌクレオチドの含有率は、約50%より高い、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸は、5塩基長以上のものである、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸は、約100塩基長以下のものである、請求項27に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記核酸は、約9~約100塩基長である、請求項21に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記生物活性を有する部分は、A/D型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの生物活性を有するコア部分、またはB/K型、C型もしくはP型の免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドの全長を含む、請求項21~29のいずれか1項に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記免疫賦活化オリゴヌクレオチドは、A/D型であり、前記生物活性はインターフェロン(IFN)α産生誘導活性および/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導活性である、請求項30に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記コア部分は、A/D型のうち、連続するGを取り除いた部分である、請求項31に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 前記コア部分は、D35オリゴヌクレオチドのコア部分(TGCATCGATGCA(配列番号22))、A2216のコア部分(GACGATCGTC(配列番号56))またはA2336のコア部分(ACGACGTCGT(配列番号58))を含む、請求項31に記載のオリゴヌクレオチド。
- 請求項21~33のいずれか1項に記載のオリゴヌクレオチドを含む免疫賦活剤。
- 前記免疫賦活剤は、インターフェロン(IFN)αおよび/またはインターロイキン-6(IL-6)産生誘導のためのものである、請求項34に記載の免疫賦活剤。
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WO2022269600A1 (en) * | 2021-06-20 | 2022-12-29 | The State Of Israel, Ministry Of Agriculture & Rural Development, Agricultural Research Organization (Aro) (Volcani Center) | Cpg oligodeoxynucleotides as immunostimulants of fish |
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EP3238727A4 (en) | 2018-09-05 |
EP3238727B1 (en) | 2023-01-18 |
JP6715775B2 (ja) | 2020-07-01 |
ES2938087T3 (es) | 2023-04-04 |
US11268098B2 (en) | 2022-03-08 |
US20170362591A1 (en) | 2017-12-21 |
JPWO2016103703A1 (ja) | 2017-10-05 |
EP3238727A1 (en) | 2017-11-01 |
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