U.S. patent application number 10/214799 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for immunomodulatory compositions, formulations, and methods for use thereof.
Invention is credited to Dina, Dino, Fearon, Karen L..
Application Number | 20030133988 10/214799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26977560 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030133988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fearon, Karen L. ; et
al. |
July 17, 2003 |
Immunomodulatory compositions, formulations, and methods for use
thereof
Abstract
The invention provides new compositions and methods for
immunomodulation of individuals. Immunomodulation is accomplished
by administration of immunomodulatory polynucleotide/microcarrier
(IMO/MC) complexes comprising 3-6 mer immunomodulatory
oligonucleotides. The IMO/MC complexes may be covalently or
non-covalently bound. Also provided are immunomodulatory
compositions comprising a 3-6 mer IMO encapsulated in an MC.
Inventors: |
Fearon, Karen L.;
(Lafayette, CA) ; Dina, Dino; (Oakland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nicholas S. Buffinger
Morrison & Foerster LLP
755 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto
CA
94304-1018
US
|
Family ID: |
26977560 |
Appl. No.: |
10/214799 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60310743 |
Aug 7, 2001 |
|
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60335263 |
Oct 25, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/493 ;
514/44A |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 47/593 20170801;
A61P 31/04 20180101; A61P 35/04 20180101; A61P 37/04 20180101; Y02A
50/41 20180101; A61P 31/12 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; A61K
9/1647 20130101; A61P 33/02 20180101; A61P 31/16 20180101; A61P
31/14 20180101; Y02A 50/423 20180101; A61K 39/39 20130101; A61P
17/00 20180101; A61P 31/06 20180101; A61P 31/22 20180101; A61P
31/00 20180101; A61P 11/00 20180101; A61P 33/12 20180101; A61K
47/6927 20170801; A61P 37/02 20180101; A61K 2039/55555 20130101;
Y02A 50/412 20180101; A61K 2039/55561 20130101; A61P 31/20
20180101; Y02A 50/30 20180101; A61K 9/167 20130101; A61P 13/12
20180101; A61P 33/06 20180101; A61P 37/08 20180101; A61P 11/06
20180101; A61P 1/16 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/493 ;
514/44 |
International
Class: |
A61K 048/00; A61K
009/16; A61K 009/50 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An immunomodulatory composition, comprising a complex of a
microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO)
three to six nucleotides in length, wherein said IMO does not have
a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3',
5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said IMO has a sequence
according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is
zero to four nucleotides, X.sub.2 is zero to four nucleotides.
3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein said IMO has a
sequence according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero to two nucleotides
and X.sub.2 is zero to three nucleotides.
4. The composition of claim 3, wherein said IMO is six nucleotides
in length.
5. The composition of claim 3, wherein said IMO is five nucleotides
in length.
6. The composition of claim 3, wherein said IMO is four nucleotides
in length.
7. The composition of claim 3, wherein said IMO is three
nucleotides in length.
8. The composition of claim 1, wherein said IMO comprises at least
one phosphorothioate linkage.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said IMO comprises at least
one modified cytosine.
10. The composition of claim 1, wherein said microcarrier is a
solid phase microcarrier.
11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the microcarrier is a
biodegradable polymeric particle.
12. The composition of claim 10, wherein the microcarrier is a
biodegradable polyester particle.
13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the microcarrier comprises
a a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic
acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid),
poly(caprolactone), and polymethylidene malonate.
14. The composition of claim 12, wherein said microcarrier
comprises a cationic moiety.
15. The composition of claim 10, wherein said microcarrier
comprises an inorganic particle.
16. The composition of claim 15, wherein said microcarrier
comprises an inorganic crystalline material.
17. The composition of claim 16, wherein said microcarrier
comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate.
18. The composition of claim 1, wherein said microcarrier is 10 nm
to 10 .mu.m in size.
19. The composition of claim 1, wherein said microcarrier is 25 nm
to 5 .mu.m in size.
20. The composition of claim 1, further comprising an antigen.
21. The composition of claim 20, wherein said antigen is linked to
said MC and IMO complex.
22. The composition of claim 21, wherein said antigen is
non-covalently linked to said MC and IMO complex.
23. The composition of claim 21, wherein said antigen is covalently
linked to said MC and IMO complex.
24. The composition of claim 23, wherein said antigen is covalently
linked to the MC of the MC and IMO complex.
25. The composition of claim 23, wherein said antigen is covalently
linked to the IMO of the MC and IMO complex.
26. The composition of claim 20, wherein said antigen is not linked
to said MC and IMO complex.
27. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition does not
comprise an antigen.
28. The composition of claim 1, wherein said complex does not
comprise an oligonucleotide greater than 6 nucleotides in
length.
29. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a complex of a
microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO)
three to six nucleotides in length, wherein said IMO does not have
a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3',
5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-340 ; and a pharmaceutically acceptable
excipient.
30. A method of modulating an immune response in an individual,
comprising administering to said individual an amount of a complex
of a microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide
(IMO) effective to modulate an immune response in said individual,
wherein the IMO is three to six nucleotides in length, wherein said
IMO does not have a sequence selected from the group consisting of
5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein said individual suffers from a
disorder associated with a Th2-type immune response
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said disorder associated with a
Th2-type immune response is selected from the group consisting of
allergies and allergy-induced asthma.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein said individual is receiving a
vaccine.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said individual is receiving a
therapeutic vaccine.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said therapeutic vaccine
comprises an epitope selected from the group consisting of an
allergy epitope, a mycobacterial epitope, and a tumor-associated
epitope.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein said individual is receiving a
prophylactic vaccine.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein said individual is at risk of
exposure to an infectious agent.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein said individual is at risk of
developing cancer.
39. The method of claim 30, wherein said individual suffers from
cancer.
40. The method of claim 30, wherein said individual suffers from an
infectious disease.
41. The method of claim 30, wherein said complex does not comprise
an oligonucleotide greater than 6 nucleotides in length.
42. A method of increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-.gamma.) in an
individual, comprising administering to said individual an amount
of a complex of a microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory
oligonucleotide (IMO) effective to increase IFN-.gamma. in said
individual, wherein the IMO is three to six nucleotides in length
and wherein said IMO does not have a sequence selected from the
group consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and
5'-GAGCTT-3'.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein said individual suffers from a
disorder selected from the group consisting of idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis, scleroderma, cutaneous radiation-induced fibrosis,
hepatic fibrosis, and renal fibrosis
44. A method of increasing interferon-alpha (IFN-.alpha.) in an
individual, comprising administering to said individual an amount
of a complex of a microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory
oligonucleotide (IMO) effective to increase IFN-.alpha. in said
individual, wherein the IMO is three to six nucleotides in length
and wherein said IMO does not have a sequence selected from the
group consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and
5'-GAGCTT-3'.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein said individual suffers from a
disorder selected from the group consisting of viral infections and
cancer.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein said viral infection is an
infection by a virus selected from the group consisting of
influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis virus
B, hepatitis virus C, herpes virus, and papilloma virus.
47. A method of ameliorating one or more symptoms of an infectious
disease in an individual, comprising administering to said
individual an amount of a complex of a microcarrier (MC) and an
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) effective to ameliorate a
symptom of said infectious disease in the individual, wherein the
IMO is three to six nucleotides in length and wherein said IMO does
not have a sequence selected from the group consisting of
5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein said infectious disease is an
infectious disease caused by a cellular pathogen.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein said infectious disease is
selected from the group consisting of mycobacterial disease,
malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis and
clonorchiasis.
50. A method of reducing levels of IgE in an individual having an
IgE-related disorder, comprising administering to said individual
an amount of a complex of a microcarrier (MC) and an
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) effective to reduce IgE
levels in the individual, wherein the IMO is three to six
nucleotides in length and wherein said IMO does not have a sequence
selected from the group consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3',
and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
51. A kit for use in immunomodulation of an individual, comprising:
a complex of a microcarrier (MC) and an immunomodulatory
oligonucleotide (IMO) three to six nucleotides in length and
wherein said IMO does not have a sequence selected from the group
consisting of 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'; and
52. The kit of claim 51, further comprising instructions for
administration of said complex to immunomodulate an individual.
53. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual suffering from a disorder
associated with a Th2-type immune response.
54. The kit of claim 52, wherein said disorder is selected from the
group consisting of allergies and allergy-induced asthma.
55. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual receiving a vaccine.
56. The kit of claim 55, wherein said vaccine is a therapeutic
vaccine.
57. The kit of claim 55, wherein said vaccine is a prophylactic
vaccine.
58. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual suffering from cancer.
59. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual suffering from an infectious
disease.
60. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual at risk of exposure to an
infectious agent.
61. The kit of claim 52, wherein said instructions relate to
immunomodulation of an individual at risk of cancer.
62. An immunomodulatory composition, comprising an immunomodulatory
oligonucleotide (IMO) three to six nucleotides in length
encapsulated in a microcarrier (MC).
63. A method of modulating an immune response in an individual,
comprising administering to said individual an amount of an
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) encapsulated in a
microcarrier (MC) effective to modulate an immune response in said
individual, wherein the IMO is three to six nucleotides in length.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No.
60/310,743, filed Aug. 7, 2001, and No. 60/335,263, filed Oct. 25,
2001, each of which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to immunomodulatory
compositions comprising an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO)
and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to
immunomodulatory compositions comprising an IMO bound to a
microparticle, where the IMO is three to six nucleotides in length.
It also relates to the administration of the IMO/microcarrier
complex to modulate at least one aspect of an immune response.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The type of immune response generated to infection or other
antigenic challenge can generally be distinguished by the subset of
T helper (Th) cells involved in the response. The Th1 subset is
responsible for classical cell-mediated functions such as
delayed-type hypersensitivity and activation of cytotoxic T
lymphocytes (CTLs), whereas the Th2 subset functions more
effectively as a helper for B-cell activation. The type of immune
response to an antigen is generally influenced by the cytokines
produced by the cells responding to the antigen. Differences in the
cytokines secreted by Th1 and Th2 cells are believed to reflect
different biological functions of these two subsets. See, for
example, Romagnani (2000) Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 85:9-18.
[0004] The Th1 subset may be particularly suited to respond to
viral infections, intracellular pathogens, and tumor cells because
it secretes IL-2 and IFN-.gamma., which activate CTLs. The Th2
subset may be more suited to respond to free-living bacteria and
helminthic parasites and may mediate allergic reactions, since IL-4
and IL-5 are known to induce IgE production and eosinophil
activation, respectively. In general, Th1 and Th2 cells secrete
distinct patterns of cytokines and so one type of response can
moderate the activity of the other type of response. A shift in the
Th1/Th2 balance can result in an allergic response, for example,
or, alternatively, in an increased CTL response.
[0005] For many infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and
malaria, Th2-type responses are of little protective value against
infection. Proposed vaccines using small peptides derived from the
target antigen and other currently used antigenic agents that avoid
use of potentially infective intact viral particles, do not always
elicit the immune response necessary to achieve a therapeutic
effect. The lack of a therapeutically effective human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine is an unfortunate example of
this failure. Protein-based vaccines typically induce Th2-type
immune responses, characterized by high titers of neutralizing
antibodies but without significant cell-mediated immunity.
[0006] Moreover, some types of antibody responses are inappropriate
in certain indications, most notably in allergy where an IgE
antibody response can result in anaphylactic shock. Generally,
allergic responses also involve Th2-type immune responses. Allergic
responses, including those of allergic asthma, are characterized by
an early phase response, which occurs within seconds to minutes of
allergen exposure and is characterized by cellular degranulation,
and a late phase response, which occurs 4 to 24 hours later and is
characterized by infiltration of eosinophils into the site of
allergen exposure. Specifically, during the early phase of the
allergic response, allergen cross-links IgE antibodies on basophils
and mast cells, which in turn triggers degranulation and the
subsequent release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation
from mast cells and basophils. During the late phase response,
eosinophils infiltrate into the site of allergen exposure (where
tissue damage and dysfunction result).
[0007] Antigen immunotherapy for allergic disorders involves the
subcutaneous injection of small, but gradually increasing amounts,
of antigen. Such immunization treatments present the risk of
inducing IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and do not efficiently address
the cytokine-mediated events of the allergic late phase response.
Thus far, this approach has yielded only limited success.
[0008] Administration of certain DNA sequences, generally known as
immunostimulatory sequences or "ISS," induces an immune response
with a Th1-type bias as indicated by secretion of Th1-associated
cytokines. Administration of an immunostimulatory polynucleotide
with an antigen results in a Th1-type immune response to the
administered antigen. Roman et al. (1997) Nature Med. 3:849-854.
For example, mice injected intradermally with Escherichia coli (E.
coli) .beta.-galactosidase (.beta.-Gal) in saline or in the
adjuvant alum responded by producing specific IgG1 and IgE
antibodies, and CD4.sup.+ cells that secreted IL-4 and IL-5, but
not IFN-.gamma., demonstrating that the T cells were predominantly
of the Th2 subset. However, mice injected intradermally (or with a
tyne skin scratch applicator) with plasmid DNA (in saline) encoding
.beta.-Gal and containing an ISS responded by producing IgG2a
antibodies and CD4.sup.+ cells that secreted IFN-.gamma., but not
IL-4 and IL-5, demonstrating that the T cells were predominantly of
the Th1 subset. Moreover, specific IgE production by the plasmid
DNA-injected mice was reduced 66-75%. Raz et al. (1996) Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 93:5141-5145. In general, the response to naked DNA
immunization is characterized by production of IL-2, TNF.alpha. and
IFN-.gamma. by antigen-stimulated CD4.sup.+ T cells, which is
indicative of a Th1-type response. This is particularly important
in treatment of allergy and asthma as shown by the decreased IgE
production. The ability of immunostimulatory polynucleotides to
stimulate a Th1-type immune response has been demonstrated with
bacterial antigens, viral antigens and with allergens (see, for
example, WO 98/55495).
[0009] Polynucleotides containing an unmethylated CpG dinucleotide
have been found to have immunostimulatory activity. ISS
oligonucleotides have been described as containing a core hexameric
sequence of 5'-Purine, Purine, Cytosine, Guanine, Pyrimidine,
Pyrimidine-3' (5'-RRCGYY-3'). While a number of disclosures refer
to ISS oligonucleotides of six bases or longer (e.g. International
Patent Application Nos. WO 97/28259, WO 98/16247 and WO 99/11275),
other reports state that the ISS must be at least eight to ten
nucleotides in length to have an immunostimulatory effect (see,
e.g., Krieg et al. (1995) Nature 374:546-49 and International
Patent Application No. 01/51500). International Patent Application
No. WO 96/02555 indicates that the most effective ISS
oligonucleotides contain either 5'-GACGTT-3' or 5'-GACGTC-3' within
a larger oligonucleotide. More recently, International Patent
Application No. WO 98/52962 has described three hexameric
oligonucleotides, 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-GAGCTT-3', and 5'-TCCGGA-3',
which are stated to have immunostimulatory effects. Liang et al.
(J. Clin. Invest. 98:1119-29, 1996) disclose that the motif
(TCG).sub.n, where n.gtoreq.3, is a minimal stimulatory element for
human cells.
[0010] An ISS-containing 27 base oligonucleotide bound to
microparticles (SEPHAROSE.RTM. beads) has previously been shown to
be as effective at in vitro immunostimulation as the same
oligonucleotide in solution (Liang et al., ibid). Different results
have been reported for ISS-containing oligonucleotides bound to
gold, latex and magnetic particles; complexes with these materials
were not active in stimulating proliferation of 7TD1 cells, which
proliferate in response to ISS-containing oligonucleotides (Manzel
et al. (1999) Antisense Nucl. Acid Drug Dev. 9:459-464).
[0011] An Other references describing ISS include: Krieg et al.
(1989) J. Immunol. 143:2448-2451; Tokunaga et al. (1992) Microbiol.
Immunol. 36:55-66; Kataoka et al. (1992) Jpn. J. Cancer Res.
83:244-247; Yamamoto et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 148:4072-4076;
Mojcik et al. (1993) Clin. Immuno. and Immunopathol. 67:130-136;
Branda et al. (1993) Biochem. Pharmacol. 45:2037-2043; Pisetsky et
al. (1994) Life Sci. 54(2):101-107; Yamamoto et al. (1994a)
Antisense Research and Development. 4:119-122; Yamamoto et al.
(1994b) Jpn. J Cancer Res. 85:775-779; Raz et al. (1994) Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:9519-9523; Kimura et al. (1994) J. Biochem.
(Tokyo) 116:991-994; Pisetsky et al. (1995) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.
772:152-163; Pisetsky (1996a) J. Immunol. 156:421-423; Pisetsky
(1996b) Immunity 5:303-310; Zhao et al. (1996) Biochem. Pharmacol.
51:173-182; Yi et al. (1996) J. Immunol. 156:558-564; Krieg (1996)
Trends Microbiol. 4(2):73-76; Krieg et al. (1996) Antisense Nucleic
Acid Drug Dev. 6:133-139; Klinman et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA. 93:2879-2883; Raz et al. (1996); Sato et al. (1996)
Science 273:352-354; Stacey et al. (1996) J. Immunol.
157:2116-2122; Ballas et al. (1996) J. Immunol. 157:1840-1845;
Branda et al. (1996) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 128:329-338; Sonehara et
al. (1996) J. Interferon and Cytokine Res. 16:799-803; Klimnan et
al. (1997) J. Immunol. 158:3635-3639; Sparwasser et al. (1997) Eur.
J. Immunol. 27:1671-1679; Roman et al. (1997); Carson et al. (1997)
J. Exp. Med. 186:1621-1622; Chace et al. (1997) Clin. Immunol. and
Immunopathol. 84:185-193; Chu et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med.
186:1623-1631; Lipford et al. (1997a) Eur. J. Immunol.
27:2340-2344; Lipford et al. (1997b) Eur. J. Immunol. 27:3420-3426;
Weiner et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:10833-10837;
Macfarlane et al. (1997) Immunology 91:586-593; Schwartz et al.
(1997) J. Clin. Invest. 100:68-73; Stein et al. (1997) Antisense
Technology, Ch. 11 pp. 241-264, C. Lichtenstein and W. Nellen,
Eds., IRL Press; Wooldridge et al. (1997) Blood 89:2994-2998;
Leclerc et al. (1997) Cell. Immunol. 179:97-106; Kline et al.
(1997) J. Invest. Med. 45(3):282A; Yi et al. (1998a) J. Immunol.
160:1240-1245; Yi et al. (1998b) J. Immunol. 160:4755-4761; Yi et
al. (1998c) J. Immunol. 160:5898-5906; Yi et al. (1998d) J.
Immunol. 161:4493-4497; Krieg (1998) Applied Antisense
Oligonucleotide Technology Ch. 24, pp. 431-448, C. A. Stein and A.
M. Krieg, Eds., Wiley-Liss, Inc.; Krieg et al. (1998a) Trends
Microbiol. 6:23-27; Krieg et al. (1998b) J. Immunol. 161:2428-2434;
Krieg et al. (1998c) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:12631-12636;
Spiegelberg et al. (1998) Allergy 53(45S):93-97; Horner et al.
(1998) Cell Immunol. 190:77-82; Jakob et al. (1998) J. Immunol.
161:3042-3049; Redford et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 161:3930-3935;
Weeratna et al. (1998) Antisense & Nucleic Acid Drug
Development 8:351-356; McCluskie et al. (1998) J. Immunol.
161(9):4463-4466; Gramzinski et al. (1998) Mol. Med. 4:109-118; Liu
et al. (1998) Blood 92:3730-3736; Moldoveanu et al. (1998) Vaccine
16: 1216-1224; Brazolot Milan et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA 95:15553-15558; Briode et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 161:7054-7062;
Briode et al. (1999) Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. 118:453-456;
Kovarik et al. (1999) J. Immunol. 162:1611-1617; Spiegelberg et al.
(1999) Pediatr. Pulmonol. Suppl. 18:118-121; Martin-Orozco et al.
(1999) Int. Immunol. 11:1111-1118; EP 468,520; WO 96/02555; WO
97/28259; WO 98/16247; WO 98/18810; WO 98/37919; WO 98/40100; WO
98/52581; WO 98/55495; WO 98/55609 and WO 99/11275. See also Elkins
et al. (1999) J. Immunol. 162:2291-2298, WO 98/52962, WO 99/33488,
WO 99/33868, WO 99/51259 and WO 99/62923. See also Zimmermann et
al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160:3627-3630; Krieg (1999) Trends
Microbiol. 7:64-65; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,663,153, 5,723,335, 5,849,719
and 6,174,872. See also WO 99/56755, WO 00/06588, WO 00/16804; WO
00/21556; WO 00/67023 and WO 01/12223. See also WO 00/54803; WO
00/61161; WO 01/15726; WO 01/22972, WO 01/22990; WO 01/35991; WO
01/51500; WO 01/54720; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,194,388, 6,207,646,
6,214,806, 6,239,116 and Verthelyi et al. (2001) J. Immunol.
166:2372-2377.
[0012] Additionally, Godard et al. (1995) Eur. J. Biochem.
232:404-410, discloses cholesterol-modified antisense
oligonucleotides bound to poly(isohexylcyanoacrylate)
nanoparticles.
[0013] All patents, patent applications, and publications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention relates to new compositions and methods for
modulating immune responses in individuals, especially human
individuals.
[0015] In one aspect, the invention relates to compositions which
comprise immunomodulatory oligonucleotide/microcarrier (IMO/MC)
complexes and encapsulates. An IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
comprises a trimer, quatramer, pentamer, or hexamer (3-6 mer)
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) having a sequence according
to the formula 5'-X.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero to
four nucleotides, X.sub.2 is zero to four nucleotides and excludes
the sequences 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
Preferably, the IMO is a 3-6 mer having a sequence according to the
formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or 5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where
X.sub.1 is zero to two nucleotides and X.sub.2 is zero to three
nucleotides, linked to an insoluble microcarrier (MC) which may be
either biodegradable or nonbiodegradable. More preferably, the
IMO/MC complexes and encapsulates of the invention comprise IMOs
having the sequence 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero or one nucleotide,
and X.sub.2 is zero to three nucleotides and the IMO is no longer
than six nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the complex or
encapsulate does not comprise a oligonucleotide greater than six
nucleotides in length. The IMO may be covalently or non-covalently
linked to the microcarrier in the complex, and the IMO may be
modified to facilitate complex formation. Microcarriers used in
IMO/MC complexes are typically solid phase microcarriers, although
liquid phase microcarriers (e.g., an oil in water emulsion
comprising a polymer or oil, preferably a biodegradable polymer or
oil) are also contemplated. Microcarriers are generally less than
about 150, 120 or 100 .mu.m in size, more commonly less than about
50-60 .mu.m in size, and may be about 10 nm to about 10 .mu.m or
about 25 nm to 5 .mu.m in size. In certain embodiments, the
compositions of the invention comprise an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In certain
embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise an
antigen-free IMO/MC complex or encapsulate, i.e., an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate not linked to an antigen (either directly or
indirectly).
[0016] In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of
modulating an immune response in an individual, comprising
administering to an individual an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate in
an amount sufficient to modulate an immune response in said
individual. Inmunomodulation according to the methods of the
invention may be practiced on individuals including those suffering
from a disorder associated with a Th2-type immune response (e.g.,
allergies or allergy-induced asthma), individuals receiving
vaccines such as therapeutic vaccines (e.g., vaccines comprising an
allergy epitope, a mycobacterial epitope, or a tumor associated
epitope) or prophylactic vaccines, individuals with cancer,
individuals having an infectious disease and individuals at risk of
exposure to an infectious agent.
[0017] In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods of
increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-.gamma.) in an individual,
comprising administering an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate to the individual. Administration of an IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate in accordance with the invention increases
IFN-.gamma. in the individual. Suitable subjects for these methods
include those individuals having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
(IPF), scleroderma, cutaneous radiation-induced fibrosis, hepatic
fibrosis including schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, renal
fibrosis as well as other conditions which may be improved by
administration of IFN-.gamma..
[0018] In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of
increasing IFN-.alpha. in an individual, comprising administering
an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate to the
individual. Administration of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate in
accordance with the invention increases IFN-.alpha. levels in the
individual. Suitable subjects for these methods include those
individuals having disorders which respond to the administration of
IFN-.alpha., including viral infections and cancer.
[0019] In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of
ameliorating one or more symptoms of an infectious disease,
comprising administering an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate to an individual having an infectious disease.
Administration of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate in accordance
with the invention ameliorates one or more symptoms of the
infectious disease. The infectious diseases which may be treated in
accordance with the invention include infectious diseases caused by
a cellular pathogen (e.g., a mycobacterial disease, malaria,
leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis or clonorchiasis),
and may include or exclude viral diseases.
[0020] The invention further relates to kits for carrying out the
methods of the invention. The kits of the invention comprise a
container comprising an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate and may also
contain instructions for use of the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
in immunomodulation of an individual, for example when the
individual suffers from a disorder associated with a Th2-type
immune response (e.g., allergies or allergy-induced asthma), is
receiving vaccines such as therapeutic vaccines (e.g., vaccines
comprising an allergy epitope, a mycobacterial epitope, or a tumor
associated epitope) or prophylactic vaccines, suffers from cancer,
suffers from an infectious disease or is at risk of exposure to an
infectious agent.
Modes of Practicing the Invention
[0021] We have discovered new compositions and methods for
modulating immune responses in individuals, especially human
individuals. The compositions of the invention comprise an
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) complexed with or
encapsulated in an insoluble microcarrier (MC). Contrary to
teachings in the art which state that an immomodulatory
oligonucleotide must be at least eight nucleotides in length to be
effective, we have found that IMOs from three to six bases in
length modulate immnune cells, including human cells, when combined
with microcarriers. IMOs of the instant invention are 3-6 mers and
have a sequence according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3',
where X.sub.1 is zero to four nucleotides, X.sub.2 is zero to four
nucleotides, excluding the sequences 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3',
and 5'-GAGCTT-3'. Preferably, the IMO is a 3-6 mer having a
sequence according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero to two nucleotides
and X.sub.2 is zero to three nucleotides, linked to an insoluble
microcarrier (MC). More preferably, the IMO/MC complexes or
encapsulates of the invention comprise IMOs having the sequence
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or 5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1
is zero or one nucleotide, and X.sub.2 is zero to three nucleotides
and the IMO is no longer than six nucleotides. In other preferred
embodiments, the IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates comprise an IMO
having the sequence 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero or one nucleotide
and X.sub.2 is two to three nucleotides and the IMO is no longer
than six nucleotides.
[0022] The IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates may include or exclude
an antigen. In some embodiments, the invention provides
compositions comprising antigen-free IMO/MC complexes or
encapsulates, i.e., IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates neither linked
to (directly or indirectly) nor mixed with an antigen. In other
embodiments, the invention provides compositions comprising IMO/MC
complexes or encapsulates mixed with one or more antigens. In other
embodiments, the invention provides compositions comprising IMO/MC
complexes or encapsulates linked to antigen.
[0023] The immunomodulatory oligonucleotide/microcarrier (IMO/MC)
complexes of the invention may be covalently or non-covalently
linked, and comprise a microcarrier (e.g., a water-insoluble
carrier of less than about 150 .mu.m size) that is insoluble in
water. Microcarriers may be biodegradable or nonbiodegradable, and
are generally solid phase (e.g., polylactic acid beads), although
liquid phase microcamers (e.g., an oil in water emulsion comprising
a biodegradable polymer or oil, preferably a biodegradable polymer
or oil) are also useful. The IMO may be modified to allow or
augment binding to the MC (e.g., by incorporation of a free
sulfhydryl for covalent crosslinking or addition of a hydrophobic
moiety such as cholesterol for hydrophobic bonding).
[0024] The invention provides new compositions comprising an IMO
covalently linked to a microcarrier to form a covalent IMO/MC
complex. Linkage between the IMO and MC may be direct (e.g., via a
disulfide bond between sulfhydryls on the IMO and MC) or the
constituents may be linked by a crosslinking moiety of one or more
atoms separating the bonds to the IMO and MC.
[0025] Also provided are compositions comprising an IMO
non-covalently linked to a microcarrier to provide a non-covalent
IMO/MC complex. Non-covalent IMO/MC complexes generally comprise an
IMO that has been modified to allow binding to the microcarrier
(e.g., by addition of a cholesterol moiety to the IMO to allow
hydrophobic binding to oil or lipid based microcarrier), although
the properties of the native IMO may be used to bind to the
microcarrier (e.g., electrostatic binding to a cationic
microcarrier such as cationic poly(lactic acid, glycolic acid)
copolymer).
[0026] The invention also provides methods for modulating an immune
response in an individual by administering an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate to the individual.
[0027] Further provided are kits for practicing the methods of the
invention. The kits comprise a package or container comprising
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate and may also contain instructions for
administering an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate for immunomodulation
in a subject.
[0028] General Techniques
[0029] The practice of the present invention will employ, unless
otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology
(including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology,
biochemistry and immunology, which are within the skill of the art.
Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such as,
Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, second edition (Sambrook et
al., 1989); Oligonucleotide Synthesis (M. J. Gait, ed., 1984);
Animal Cell Culture (R. I. Freshney, ed., 1987); Handbook of
Experimental Immunology (D. M. Weir & C. C. Blackwell, eds.);
Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J. M. Miller & M. P.
Calos, eds., 1987); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (F. M.
Ausubel et al., eds., 1987); PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction,
(Mullis et al., eds., 1994); Current Protocols in Immunology (J. E.
Coligan et al., eds., 1991); The Immunoassay Handbook (D. Wild,
ed., Stockton Press NY, 1994); Bioconjugate Techniques(Greg T.
Hermanson, ed., Academic Press, 1996); and Methods of Immunological
Analysis (R. Masseyeff, W. H. Albert, and N. A. Staines, eds.,
Weinheim: VCH Verlags gesellschaft mbH, 1993).
[0030] Definitions
[0031] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an", and "the"
includes plural references unless indicated otherwise. For example,
"an" IMO includes one or more IMO.
[0032] As used herein, the term "oligonucleotide" includes
single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA),
single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA),
modified oligonucleotides and oligonucleosides or combinations
thereof. The oligonucleotide can be linearly or circularly
configured. Oligonucleotides are polymers of nucleosides joined,
generally, through phosphodiester linkages, although alternate
linkages, such as phosphorothioate esters may also be used in
oligonucleotides, exclusively or in combination with phosphodiester
bonds. A nucleoside consists of a purine (adenine or guanine or
derivative thereof, such as inosine) or pyrimidine (thymine,
cytosine or uracil, or derivative thereof) base bonded to a sugar.
The four nucleoside units (or bases) in DNA are called
deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, and deoxycytidine.
Additionally, deoxyinosine and deoxyuridine may be incorporated
into DNA. A nucleotide is a phosphate ester of a nucleoside.
[0033] The terms "immunomodulatory oligonucleotide" and "IMO", as
used herein, are interchangeable and refer to an oligonucleotide
having a sequence that, when bound to a microcarrier, effects a
measurable immune response as measured in vitro, in vivo and/or ex
vivo (i.e., is active when complexed with or encapsulated in a
microcarrier). Examples of measurable immune responses include, but
are not limited to, antigen-specific antibody production, secretion
of cytokines, activation or expansion of lymphocyte populations
such as NK cells, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B
lymphocytes, and the like. Preferably, the IMO sequences
preferentially activate a Th1-type response. An IMO is a 3-6 mer
oligonucleotide having the sequence 5'-X.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3', where
X.sub.1 is zero to four nucleotides, X.sub.2 is zero to four
nucleotides and excludes the sequences 5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3',
and 5'-GAGCTT-3'.
[0034] The phrase "cytosine of the core trimer of the IMO" refers
to the cytosine of the core trimer 5'-TCG-3' or 5'-UCG-3'of those
IMOs fitting the sequence formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' and
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero to two nucleotides
and X.sub.2 is zero to four nucleotides. As is apparent from this
structural formula, the "cytosine of the core trimer" of the IMO
5'-TCGTCG-3' is located at position two (e.g., the penultimate base
at the 5' end).
[0035] The term "microcarrier" refers to a particulate composition
which is insoluble in water and which has a size of less than about
150, 120, 100 .mu.m or less than about 50-60 .mu.m, preferably less
than about 10, 5, 2.5, 2 or 1.5 .mu.m. Microcarriers include
"nanocarriers", which are microcarriers that have a size of less
than about 1 .mu.m, preferably less than about 500 nm. Solid phase
microcarriers may be particles formed from biocompatible naturally
occurring polymers, synthetic polymers or synthetic copolymers,
which may include or exclude microcarriers formed from agarose or
cross-linked agarose, as well as other materials known in the art.
Microcarriers for use in the instant invention may be biodegradable
or nonbiodegradable. Biodegradable solid phase microcarriers may be
formed from polymers which are degradable (e.g., poly(lactic acid),
poly(glycolic acid) and copolymers thereof) or erodible (e.g.,
poly(ortho) esters such as 3,9-diethylidene-2,4,8,10-tetr-
aoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (DETOSU), polymethylidene malonate, or
poly(anhydrides), such as poly(anhydrides) of sebacic acid) under
mammalian physiological conditions. Nonbiodegradable microcarriers
may be formed from materials which are non-erodible and/or
non-degradable under mammalian physiological conditions, such as
organic polymers including polystyrene, polypropylene,
polyacrylamide, latex, and dextran, inorganic materials including
inorganic crystalline materials such as silica, hydroxyapatite,
alum, and calcium phosphate, as well as ceramics, gold, and
ferromagnetic and paramagnetic materials. Microcarriers may also be
liquid phase (e.g., oil or lipid based), such as liposomes, ISCOMs
(immune-stimulating complexes, which are stable complexes of
cholesterol, phospholipid, and adjuvant-active saponin) without
antigen, or droplets or micelles found in oil in water or water in
oil emulsions, provided the liquid phase microcarriers are
biodegradable. Biodegradable liquid phase microcarriers typically
incorporate a biodegradable oil, a number of which are known in the
art, including squalene and vegetable oils. Microcarriers are
typically spherical in shape, but microcarriers which deviate from
spherical shape are also acceptable (e.g., ellipsoid, rod-shaped,
etc.). Due to their insoluble nature (with respect to water),
microcarriers are filterable from water and water-based (aqueous)
solutions.
[0036] The "size" of a microcarrier is generally the "design size"
or intended size of the particles stated by the manufacturer. Size
may be a directly measured dimension, such as average or maximum
diameter, or may be determined by an indirect assay such as a
filtration screening assay. Direct measurement of microcarrier size
is typically carried out by microscopy, generally light microscopy
or scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in comparison with particles
of known size or by reference to a micrometer. As minor variations
in size arise during the manufacturing process, microcarriers are
considered to be of a stated size if measurements show the
microcarriers are .+-. about 5-10% of the stated measurement. Size
characteristics may also be determined by dynamic light scattering
or obscuration techniques. Alternately, microcarrier size may be
determined by filtration screening assays. A microcarrier is less
than a stated size if at least 97% of the particles pass through a
"screen-type" filter (i.e., a filter in which retained particles
are on the surface of the filter, such as polycarbonate or
polyethersulfone filters, as opposed to a "depth filter" in which
retained particles lodge within the filter) of the stated size. A
microcarrier is larger than a stated size if at least about 97% of
the microcarrier particles are retained by a screen-type filter of
the stated size. Thus, at least about 97% microcarriers of about 10
.mu.m to about 10 nm in size pass through a 10 .mu.m pore screen
filter and are retained by a 10 nm screen filter.
[0037] As above discussion indicates, reference to a size or size
range for a microcamer implicitly includes approximate variations
and approximations of the stated size and/or size range. This is
reflected by use of the term "about" when referring to a size
and/or size range, and reference to a size or size range without
reference to "about" does not mean that the size and/or size range
is exact.
[0038] A microcarrier is considered "biodegradable" if it is
degradable or erodible under normal mammalian physiological
conditions. Generally, a microcarrier is considered biodegradable
if it is degraded (i.e., loses at least 5% of its mass and/or
average polymer length) after a 72 hour incubation at 37.degree. C.
in normal human serum. Accordingly, and conversely, a microcarrier
is considered "nonbiodegradable" if it is not degraded or eroded
under normal mammalian physiological conditions. Generally, a
microcarrier is considered nonbiodegradable if it not degraded
(i.e., loses less than 5% of its mass and/or average polymer
length) after at 72 hour incubation at 37.degree. C. in normal
human serum.
[0039] The term "immunomodulatory oligonucleotide/microcarrier
complex" or "IMO/MC complex" refers to a complex of an IMO and a
microcarrier of the invention, wherein the IMO is not encapsulated
in the MC. The components of the complex may be covalently or
non-covalently linked. Non-covalent linkages may be mediated by any
non-covalent bonding force, including by hydrophobic interaction,
ionic (electrostatic) bonding, hydrogen bonds and/or van der Waals
attractions. In the case of hydrophobic linkages, the linkage is
generally via a hydrophobic moiety (e.g., cholesterol) covalently
linked to the IMO. Preferably, the IMO/MC complex is insoluble in
pure water.
[0040] The term "immunomodulatory" or "modulating an immune
response" as used herein includes immunostimulatory as well as
immunosuppressive effects. Immunomodulation is primarily a
qualitative alteration in an overall immune response, although
quantitative changes may also occur in conjunction with
immunomodulation. An example of an immune response that is
immunomodulated according to the present invention is one that is
shifted towards a "Th1-type" immune response, as opposed to a
"Th2-type" immune response. Th1-type responses are typically
considered cellular immune system (e.g., cytotoxic lymphocytes)
responses, while Th2-type responses are generally "humoral", or
antibody-based. Th1-type immune responses are normally
characterized by "delayed-type hypersensitivity" reactions to an
antigen, and can be detected at the biochemical level by increased
levels of Th1-associated cytokines such as IFN-.gamma., IL-2,
IL-12, and TNF-.beta., as well as IFN-.alpha. and IL-6, although
IL-6 may also be associated with Th2-type responses as well.
Th1-type immune responses are generally associated with the
production of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs). Th2-type immune
responses are generally associated with higher levels of antibody
production, including IgE production, an absence of or minimal CTL
production, as well as expression of Th2-associated cytokines such
as IL-4. Accordingly, immunomodulation in accordance with the
invention may be recognized by, for example, an increase in
IFN-.gamma. and/or a decrease in IgE production in an individual
treated in accordance with the methods of the invention as compared
to the absence of treatment.
[0041] The term "conjugate" refers to a complex in which an IMO, an
MC and/or an IMO/MC complex are linked to an antigen (via either
the IMO or the MC or both). Such conjugate linkages include
covalent and/or non-covalent linkages. The linkage may be direct
(e.g., a bond between one or more atoms of the IMO and one or more
atoms of the antigen) or via a linker arm containing moieties which
bind to conjugate partners (e.g., the IMO and antigen or the MC and
the antigen), thereby linking the conjugate partners (e.g., such as
by use of biotin and avidin to enable high affinity bonding between
the IMO and the antigen or by use of a crosslinking agent that
incorporates a spacer arm).
[0042] The term "antigen" means a substance that is recognized and
bound specifically by an antibody or by a T cell antigen receptor.
Antigens can include peptides, proteins, glycoproteins,
polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates, sugars, gangliosides,
lipids and phospholipids; portions thereof and combinations
thereof. The antigens can be those found in nature or can be
synthetic. Antigens suitable for administration with the IMO/MC
complexes or encapsulates of the invention include any molecule
capable of eliciting a B cell or T cell antigen-specific response.
Preferably, antigens elicit an antibody response specific for the
antigen. Haptens are included within the scope of "antigen." A
hapten is a low molecular weight compound that is not immunogenic
by itself but is rendered immunogenic when conjugated with an
immunogenic molecule containing antigenic determinants. Small
molecules may need to be haptenized in order to be rendered
antigenic. Preferably, antigens of the present invention include
peptides, lipids (e.g. sterols, fatty acids, and phospholipids),
polysaccharides such as those used in Hemophilus influenza
vaccines, gangliosides and glycoproteins.
[0043] "Adjuvant" refers to a substance which, when added to an
immunogenic agent such as antigen, nonspecifically enhances or
potentiates an immune response to the agent in the recipient host
upon exposure to the mixture.
[0044] The term "peptide" refers to polypeptides that are of
sufficient length and composition to effect a biological response,
e.g. antibody production or cytokine activity whether or not the
peptide is a hapten. Typically, the peptides are at least six amino
acid residues in length. The term "peptide" further includes
modified amino acids (whether or not naturally or non-naturally
occurring), such modifications including, but not limited to,
phosphorylation, glycosylation, pegylation, lipidization and
methylation.
[0045] "Antigenic peptides" can include purified native peptides,
synthetic peptides, recombinant peptides, crude peptide extracts,
or peptides in a partially purified or unpurified active state
(such as peptides that are a part of attenuated or inactivated
viruses, cells, or micro-organisms), or fragments of such peptides.
An "antigenic peptide" or "antigen polypeptide" accordingly means
all or a portion of a polypeptide which exhibits one or more
antigenic properties. Thus, for example, an "Amb a 1 antigenic
polypeptide" or "Amb a 1 polypeptide antigen" is an amino acid
sequence from Amb a 1, whether the entire sequence, a portion of
the sequence, and/or a modification of the sequence, which exhibits
an antigenic property (i.e., binds specifically to an antibody or a
T cell receptor).
[0046] A "delivery molecule" or "delivery vehicle" is a chemical
moiety which facilitates, permits, and/or enhances delivery of an
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate to a particular site and/or with
respect to particular timing. A delivery vehicle may or may not
additionally stimulate an immune response.
[0047] An "allergic response to antigen" means an immune response
generally characterized by the generation of eosinophils and/or
antigen-specific IgE and their resultant effects. As is well-known
in the art, IgE binds to IgE receptors on mast cells and basophils.
Upon later exposure to the antigen recognized by the IgE, the
antigen cross-links the IgE on the mast cells and basophils causing
degranulation of these cells, including, but not limited, to
histamine release. It is understood and intended that the terms
"allergic response to antigen", "allergy", and "allergic condition"
are equally appropriate for application of some of the methods of
the invention. Further, it is understood and intended that the
methods of the invention include those that are equally appropriate
for prevention of an allergic response as well as treating a
pre-existing allergic condition.
[0048] As used herein, the term "allergen" means an antigen or
antigenic portion of a molecule, usually a protein, which elicits
an allergic response upon exposure to a subject. Typically the
subject is allergic to the allergen as indicated, for instance, by
the wheal and flare test or any method known in the art. A molecule
is said to be an allergen even if only a small subset of subjects
exhibit an allergic (e.g., IgE) immune response upon exposure to
the molecule. A number of isolated allergens are known in the art.
These include, but are not limited to, those provided in Table 1
herein.
[0049] The term "desensitization" refers to the process of the
administration of increasing doses of an allergen to which the
subject has demonstrated sensitivity. Examples of allergen doses
used for desensitization are known in the art, see, for example,
Fornadley (1998) Otolaryngol. Clin. North Am. 31:111-127.
[0050] "Antigen-specific immunotherapy" refers to any form of
immunotherapy which involves antigen and generates an
antigen-specific modulation of the immune response. In the allergy
context, antigen-specific immunotherapy includes, but is not
limited to, desensitization therapy.
[0051] An "individual" is a vertebrate, preferably a mammal, more
preferably a human. Mammals include, but are not limited to,
humans, primates, farm animals, sport animals, rodents and pets.
Vertebrates also include, but are not limited to, birds (i.e.,
avian individuals) and reptiles (i.e., reptilian individuals).
[0052] An individual is considered "at risk" for a particular
disorder if the individual has an increased likelihood of acquiring
the disorder. With regards to infectious diseases, an individual is
at risk if he is exposed to the pathogen which causes the disease
(e.g., by close association with an infectious individual) or is at
high risk of being exposed to the pathogen which causes the disease
(e.g., by travelling or residing in a locale in which the pathogen
is prevalent, such as an area in which malaria is endemic). An
individual is at risk of a non-infectious disease (e.g., cancer,
asthma, allergies) when the individual's heredity or environment
increases the individual's risk of acquiring the disorder to at
least twice that of the general population. Examples of individuals
at risk for non-infectious disorders include women with BRCA1
mutations (breast cancer), individuals with FPC mutations (colon
cancer), individuals having at least one first degree relative with
lung cancer, and individuals having at least one first degree
relative with allergies (allergies).
[0053] An "effective amount" or a "sufficient amount" of a
substance is that amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired
results, including clinical results, and, as such, an "effective
amount" depends upon the context in which it is being applied. In
the context of administering a composition that modulates an immune
response to an antigen, an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate is an amount sufficient to achieve such a modulation as
compared to the immune response obtained when the antigen is
administered alone. An effective amount can be administered in one
or more administrations.
[0054] The term "co-administration" as used herein refers to the
administration of at least two different substances sufficiently
close in time to modulate an immune response. Preferably,
co-administration refers to simultaneous administration of at least
two different substances.
[0055] "Stimulation" of an immune response, such as Th1 response,
means an increase in the response, which can arise from eliciting
and/or enhancement of a response.
[0056] An "IgE associated disorder" is a physiological condition
which is characterized, in part, by elevated IgE levels, which may
or may not be persistent. IgE associated disorders include, but are
not limited to, allergy and allergic reactions, allergy-related
disorders (described below), asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis,
urticaria, shock, Hymenoptera sting allergies, drug allergies, and
parasite infections. The term also includes related manifestations
of these disorders. Generally, IgE in such disorders is
antigen-specific.
[0057] An "allergy-related disorder" means a disorder resulting
from the effects of an antigen-specific IgE immune response. Such
effects can include, but are not limited to, hypotension and shock.
Anaphylaxis is an example of an allergy-related disorder during
which histamine released into the circulation causes vasodilation
as well as increased permeability of the capillaries with resultant
marked loss of plasma from the circulation. Anaphylaxis can occur
systemically, with the associated effects experienced over the
entire body, and it can occur locally, with the reaction limited to
a specific target tissue or organ.
[0058] The term "viral disease", as used herein, refers to a
disease which has a virus as its etiologic agent. Examples of viral
diseases include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and herpes zoster.
[0059] As used herein, and as well-understood in the art,
"treatment" is an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired
results, including clinical results. For purposes of this
invention, beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are
not limited to, alleviation or amelioration of one or more
symptoms, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized (i.e., not
worsening) state of disease, preventing spread of disease, delay or
slowing of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the
disease state, and remission (whether partial or total), whether
detectable or undetectable. "Treatment" can also mean prolonging
survival as compared to expected survival if not receiving
treatment.
[0060] "Palliating" a disease or disorder means that the extent
and/or undesirable clinical manifestations of a disorder or a
disease state are lessened and/or the time course of the
progression is slowed or lengthened, as compared to not treating
the disorder. Especially in the allergy context, as is well
understood by those skilled in the art, palliation may occur upon
modulation of the immune response against an allergen(s). Further,
palliation does not necessarily occur by administration of one
dose, but often occurs upon administration of a series of doses.
Thus, an amount sufficient to palliate a response or disorder may
be administered in one or more administrations.
[0061] An "antibody titer", or "amount of antibody", which is
"elicited" by an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate refers to the amount
of a given antibody measured at a time point after administration
of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate.
[0062] A "Th1-associated antibody" is an antibody whose production
and/or increase is associated with a Th1 immune response. For
example, IgG2a is a Th1-associated antibody in mouse. For purposes
of this invention, measurement of a Th1-associated antibody can be
measurement of one or more such antibodies. For example, in human,
measurement of a Th1-associated antibody could entail measurement
of IgG1 and/or IgG3.
[0063] A "Th2-associated antibody" is an antibody whose production
and/or increase is associated with a Th2 immune response. For
example, IgGI is a Th2-associated antibody in mouse. For purposes
of this invention, measurement of a Th2-associated antibody can be
measurement of one or more such antibodies. For example, in human,
measurement of a Th2-associated antibody could entail measurement
of IgG2 and/or IgG4.
[0064] To "suppress" or "inhibit" a function or activity, such as
cytokine production, antibody production, or histamine release, is
to reduce the function or activity when compared to otherwise same
conditions except for a condition or parameter of interest, or
alternatively, as compared to another condition. For example, an
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate administered with an antigen or
including an antigen which suppresses histamine release or reduces
histamine release as compared to, for example, histamine release
induced by antigen alone.
[0065] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its cognates are
used in their inclusive sense; that is, equivalent to the term
"including" and its corresponding cognates.
[0066] The instant disclosure uses single letters to indicate bases
of a nucleotide sequence, where A is adenine, G is guanine, C is
cytosine, T is thymine, U is uracil, I is inosene, R is a purine,
and Y is a pyrimidine.
[0067] Compositions of the Invention
[0068] The invention provides new compositions for modulating
immune response in individuals. The new compositions are
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide/microcarrier (IMO/MC) complexes or
encapsulates which comprise an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide
complexed to or encapsulated within a microcarrier. IMO/MC
complexes may be covalent complexes, in which the IMO portion of
the complex is covalently bonded to the MC, either directly or via
a linker (i.e., indirectly), or they may be direct or indirect
non-covalent complexes.
[0069] Immunomodulatory Oligonucleotides
[0070] In accordance with the present invention, the
immunomodulatory oligonucleotide is a 3-6 mer having the sequence
5'-X.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero to four nucleotides,
X.sub.2 is zero to four nucleotides, excluding the sequences
5'-GACGTT-3', 5'-TCCGGA-3', and 5'-GAGCTT-3'. Preferably, the IMO
is a 3-6 mer, more preferably a 5 mer or 6 mer, comprising the
sequence 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or 5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where
X.sub.1 is zero to two nucleotides and X.sub.2 is zero to three
nucleotides. Other preferred IMOs have the sequence
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' 5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is
zero or one nucleotide and X.sub.2 is two to three nucleotides and
the IMO is no longer than six nucleotides. Accordingly, the
invention provides for IMOs of three to six nucleotides in length
comprising 5'-TCG-3' and/or 5'-CG-3'.
[0071] The IMO may be palindromic (i.e., be self-complementary),
although a palindromic sequence is not required. The IMO affects a
measurable immune response, as measured in vitro, in vivo and/or ex
vivo, when complexed with or encapsulated in a microcarrier. In
some embodiments, the IMO is not active, as measured in vitro, in
vivo and/or ex vivo, when uncomplexed or unencapsulated.
[0072] In some embodiments, the IMO is a trimer (3 mer) having the
sequence 5'-TCG-3' or 5'-UCG-3'.
[0073] In some embodiments, the IMO is a quatramer (4 mer) having a
sequence according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1TCG-3',
5'-TCGX.sub.2-3', 5'-X.sub.1UCG-3', or 5'-UCGX.sub.2-3', where
X.sub.1 is A, C, G, T, U, or I and X.sub.2 is A, C, G, T, U, or
I.
[0074] In some embodiments, the IMO is a pentamer (5 mer) having a
sequence according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3'where X.sub.1 is A, C, G, T, U, or I and
X.sub.2 is A, C, G, T, U, or I, or according to the formula
5'-TCGX.sub.3-3' or 5'-UCGX.sub.3-3' where X.sub.3 is AA, AC, AG,
AT, AU, AI, CA, CC, CG, CT, CU, CI, GA, GC, GG, GT, GU, GI, TA, TC,
TG, TT, TU, TI, UA, UC, UG, UT, UU, UI, IA, IC, IG, IT, IU, or
II.
[0075] In some embodiments, the IMO is a hexamer having a sequence
according to the formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or
5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3' where X.sub.1 is A, C, G, T, U, or I and
X.sub.2 is AA, AC, AG, AT, AU, AI, CA, CC, CG, CT, CU, CI, GA, GC,
GG, GT, GU, GI, TA, TC, TG, TT, TU, TI, UA, UC, UG, UT, UU, UI, IA,
IC, IG, IT, IU, or II, or according to the formula 5'-TCGX.sub.3-3'
or 5'-UCGX.sub.2-3' where X.sub.3 is AAA, AAC, AAG, AAT, AAU, AAI,
ACA, ACC, ACG, ACT, ACU, ACI, AGA, AGC, AGG, AGT, AGU, AGI, ATA,
ATC, ATG, ATT, ATU, ATI, AUA, AUC, AUG, AUT, AUU, AUI, AIA, AIC,
AIG, AIT, AIU, AII, CAA, CAC, CAG, CAT, CAU, CAI, CCA, CCC, CCG,
CCT, CCU, CCI, CGA, CGC, CGG, CGT, CGU, CGI, CTA, CTC, CTG, CTT,
CTU, CTI, CUA, CUC, CUG, CUT, CUU, CUI, GAA, GAC, GAG, GAT, GAU,
GAI, GCA, GCC, GCG, GCT, GCU, GCI, GGA, GGC, GGG, GGT, GGU, GGI,
GTA, GTC, GTG, GTT, GTU, GTI, GIA, GIC, GIG, GIT, GIU, GII, TAA,
TAC, TAG, TAT, TAU, TAI, TCA, TCC, TCG, TCT, TCU, TCI, TGA, TGC,
TGG, TGT, TGU, TGI, TTA, TTC, TTG, TTT, TTU, TTI, TUA, TUC, TUG,
TUT, TUU, TUI, TIA, TIC, TIG, TIT, TIU, TII, UAA, UAC, UAG, UAT,
UAU, UAI, UCA, UCC, UCG, UCT, UCU, UCI, UGA, UGC, UGG, UGT, UGU,
UGI, UTA, UTC, UTG, UTT, UTU, UTI, UUA, UUC, UUG, UUT, UUU, UUI,
UIA, UIC, UIG, UIT, UIU, UII, IAA, IAC, IAG, IAT, IAU, IAI, ICA,
ICC, ICG, ICT, ICU, ICI, IGA, IGC, IGG, IGT, IGU, IGI, ITA, ITC,
ITG, ITT, ITU, ITI, IIA, IIC, IIG, IIT, IIU, or III.
[0076] Additional embodiments include the hexamers 5'-TTTCGT-3' and
5'-AACGTT-3'.
[0077] It is preferred that cytosines present in the IMO are not
methylated, although other modifications/additions are
contemplated. However, in certain embodiments the IMO may contain
one or more methylated cytosines. In such embodiments it is
preferred that the cytosine of the core trimer sequence (i.e.,
C.sub.1 of oligonucleotide sequences according to the formula
5'-X.sub.1TC.sub.1GX.sub.2-3' or 5'-X.sub.1UC1GX.sub.2-3' where
X.sub.1 is zero or one nucleotide and X.sub.2 is zero to three
nucleotides and the oligonucleotide is a three to six bases in
length) of the IMO is not methylated at position C5. However,
methylation at position N4 is contemplated in those IMOs comprising
methylated cytosines.
[0078] An IMO may contain modifications. Modifications of IMOs
include any known in the art, but are not limited to, modifications
of the 3'OH or 5'OH group, modifications of the nucleotide base,
modifications of the sugar component, and modifications of the
phosphate group. Various such modifications are described
below.
[0079] In certain embodiments, the cytosine of the core trimer is
modified, preferably by addition of an electron-withdrawing group
such as a halogen, preferably bromine, a nitrogen, or a hydroxyl at
the C-5 and/or C-6 position of the cytosine (e.g., or by
substitution with a modified cytosine such as azacytosine or
cytosine arabinoside. Additionally, IMOs containing a uracil in the
core trimer (i.e., IMOs having sequences of the formula
5'-X.sub.1U.sub.1CGX.sub.2-3', where U.sub.1 is the uracil in the
core trimer, X.sub.1 is zero to one nucleotides and X.sub.2 is zero
to three nucleotides and the IMO is three to six bases in length)
may also or alternately comprise a modified uracil in the core
trimer or at any other uracil in the IMO.
[0080] An IMO may be single stranded or double stranded DNA, as
well as single or double-stranded RNA or other modified
polynucleotides. An IMO may or may not include a palindromic
region. An IMO may contain naturally-occurring or modified,
non-naturally occurring bases, and may contain modified sugar,
phosphate, and/or termini. Examples of base modifications include,
but are not limited to, addition of an electron-withdrawing moiety
to C-5 and/or C-6 of a cytosine in the IMO (e.g., 5-bromocytosine,
5-chlorocytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, 5-iodocytosine). See, for
example, International Patent Application No. WO 99/62923.
[0081] The IMO can be synthesized using techniques and nucleic acid
synthesis equipment which are well known in the art including, but
not limited to, enzymatic methods, chemical methods, and the
degradation of larger oligonucleotide sequences. See, for example,
Ausubel et al. (1987); and Sambrook et al. (1989). When assembled
enzymatically, the individual units can be ligated, for example,
with a ligase such as T4 DNA or RNA ligase. U.S. Pat. No.
5,124,246. Oligonucleotide degradation can be accomplished through
the exposure of an polynucleotide to a nuclease, as exemplified in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,675.
[0082] The techniques for making oligonucleotides and modified
oligonucleotides are known in the art. Naturally occurring DNA or
RNA, containing phosphodiester linkages, is generally synthesized
by sequentially coupling the appropriate nucleoside phosphoramidite
to the 5'-hydroxy group of the growing oligonucleotide attached to
a solid support at the 3'-end, followed by oxidation of the
intermediate phosphite triester to a phosphate triester. Once the
desired oligonucleotide sequence has been synthesized, the
oligonucleotide is removed from the support, the phosphate triester
groups are deprotected to phosphate diesters and the nucleoside
bases are deprotected using aqueous ammonia or other bases. See,
for example, Beaucage (1993) "Oligodeoxyribonucleotide Synthesis"
in Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Synthesis and
Properties (Agrawal, ed.) Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.; Warner et al.
(1984) DNA 3:401 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,066.
[0083] The IMO may contain phosphate-modified oligonucleotides
including, but not limited to, methyl phosphonate,
phosphorothioate, phosphoramidate (bridging or non-bridging),
phosphotriester, and phosphorodithioate. The modified phosphates
may be at any, or even all, positions of the IMO and/or may be used
in any combination. Synthesis of polynucleotides containing
modified phosphate linkages or non-phosphate linkages is also know
in the art. For a review, see Matteucci (1997) "Oligonucleotide
Analogs: an Overview" in Oligonucleotides as Therapeutic Agents,
(D. J. Chadwick and G. Cardew, ed.) John Wiley and Sons, New York,
N.Y. The phosphorous derivative (or modified phosphate group) which
can be attached to the sugar or sugar analog moiety in the
oligonucleotides of the present invention can be a monophosphate,
diphosphate, triphosphate, alkylphosphonate, phosphorothioate,
phosphorodithioate or the like. The preparation of the above-noted
phosphate analogs, and their incorporation into nucleotides,
modified nucleotides and oligonucleotides, per se, is also known
and need not be described here in detail. Peyrottes et al. (1996)
Nucleic Acids Res. 24:1841-1848; Chaturvedi et al. (1996) Nucleic
Acids Res. 24:2318-2323; and Schultz et al. (1996) Nucleic Acids
Res. 24:2966-2973. For example, synthesis of phosphorothioate
oligonucleotides is similar to that described above for naturally
occurring oligonucleotides except that the oxidation step is
replaced by a sulfurization step (Zon (1993) "Oligonucleoside
Phosphorothioates" in Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs,
Synthesis and Properties (Agrawal, ed.) Humana Press, pp. 165-190).
Similarly the synthesis of other phosphate analogs, such as
phosphotriester (Miller et al. (1971) JACS 93:6657-6665),
non-bridging phosphoramidates (Jager et al. (1988) Biochem.
27:7247-7246), N3' to P5' phosphoramidates (Nelson et al. (1997)
JOC 62:7278-7287) and phosphorodithioates (U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,496)
has also been described. Other non-phosphorous based modified
oligonucleotides can also be used (Stirchak et al. (1989) Nucleic
Acids Res. 17:6129-6141). Oligonucleotides with phosphorothioatc
backbones appear to be more resistant to degradation after
injection into the host. Braun et al. (1988) J. Immunol.
141:2084-2089; and Latimer et al. (1995) Mol. Immunol.
32:1057-1064. Preferred IMOs comprise complete phosphorothioate,
complete phosphodiester, or mixed phosphorothioate/phosphodiester
backbones.
[0084] IMOs used in the invention can comprise ribonucleotides
(containing ribose as the only or principal sugar component),
deoxyribonucleotides (containing deoxyribose as the principal sugar
component), or, as is known in the art, modified sugars or sugar
analogs can be incorporated in the IMO. Thus, in addition to ribose
and deoxyribose, the sugar moiety can be pentose, deoxypentose,
hexose, deoxyhexose, glucose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, and a
sugar "analog" cyclopentyl group. The sugar can be in pyranosyl or
in a furanosyl form. In the IMO, the sugar moiety is preferably the
furanoside of ribose, deoxyribose, arabinose or 2'-0-alkylribose,
and the sugar can be attached to the respective heterocyclic bases
either in .alpha. or .beta. anomeric configuration. Sugar
modifications include, but are not limited to, 2'-alkoxy-RNA
analogs, 2'-amino-RNA analogs and 2'-alkoxy- or amino-RNA/DNA
chimeras. The preparation of these sugars or sugar analogs and the
respective "nucleosides" wherein such sugars or analogs are
attached to a heterocyclic base (nucleic acid base) per se is
known, and need not be described here, except to the extent such
preparation can pertain to any specific example. Sugar
modifications may also be made and combined with any phosphate
modification in the preparation of an IMO.
[0085] The heterocyclic bases, or nucleic acid bases, which are
incorporated in the IMO can be the naturally-occurring principal
purine and pyrimidine bases, (namely uracil, thymine, cytosine,
inosine, adenine and guanine, as mentioned above), as well as
naturally-occurring and synthetic modifications of said principal
bases, such as inosine.
[0086] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a large number
of "synthetic" non-natural nucleosides comprising various
heterocyclic bases and various sugar moieties (and sugar analogs)
are available in the art, and that as long as other criteria of the
present invention are satisfied, the IMO can include one or several
heterocyclic bases other than the principal five base components of
naturally-occurring nucleic acids. Preferably, however, the
heterocyclic base in the IMO includes, but is not limited to,
uracil-5-yl, cytosin-5-yl, adenin-7-yl, adenin-8-yl, guanin-7-yl,
guanin-8-yl, 4-aminopyrrolo [2.3-d] pyrimidin-5-yl,
2-amino-4-oxopyrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-5-yl, 2-amino-4-oxopyrrolo
[2.3-d] pyrimidin-3-yl groups, where the purines are attached to
the sugar moiety of the IMO via the 9-position, the pyrimidines via
the 1-position, the pyrrolopyrimidines via the 7-position and the
pyrazolopyrimidines via the 1-position.
[0087] The IMO may comprise at least one modified base as
described, for example, in the commonly owned international
application WO 99/62923. As used herein, the term "modified base"
is synonymous with "base analog", for example, "modified cytosine"
is synonymous with "cytosine analog." Similarly, "modified"
nucleosides or nucleotides are herein defined as being synonymous
with nucleoside or nucleotide "analogs." Examples of base
modifications include, but are not limited to, addition of an
electron-withdrawing moiety to C-5 and/or C-6 of a cytosine of the
IMO. Preferably, the electron-withdrawing moiety is a halogen.
Modified cytosines can include, but are not limited to,
azacytosine, 5-bromocytosine, 5-chlorocytosine, chlorinated
cytosine, cyclocytosine, cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorocytosine,
fluoropyrimidine, 5,6-dihydrocytosine, 5-iodocytosine,
5-nitrocytosine, 5-hydroxycytosine and any other pyrimidine analog
or modified pyrimidine, although some embodiments may exclude
5-bromocytosine. Preferred modified uracils are modified at C-5
and/or C-6, preferably with a halogen, and include, but are not
limited to, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-fluorouracil,
5-iodouracil, and hydroxyuracil. Also see, Kandimalla et al., 2001,
Bioorg. Med. Chem. 9:807-13. See, for example, International Patent
Application No. WO 99/62923. Other examples of base modifications
include the addition of one or more thiol groups to the base
including, but not limited to, 6-thio-guanine, 4-thio-thymine and
4-thio-uracil. Additionally, some IMOs may comprise modified bases
such as 7-deazaguanosine in place of any guanosine residue, or a
modified cytosine selected from N4-ethylcytosine or
N4-methylcytosine or 5-hydroxycytosine in place of any cytosine
residue, including the cytosine of the core trimer.
[0088] The preparation of base-modified nucleosides, and the
synthesis of modified oligonucleotides using said base-modified
nucleosides as precursors, has been described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,910,300, 4,948,882, and 5,093,232. These base-modified
nucleosides have been designed so that they can be incorporated by
chemical synthesis into either terminal or internal positions of an
oligonucleotide. Such base-modified nucleosides, present at either
terminal or internal positions of an oligonucleotide, can serve as
sites for attachment of a peptide or other antigen. Nucleosides
modified in their sugar moiety have also been described (including,
but not limited to, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,849,513, 5,015,733,
5,118,800, 5,118,802) and can be used similarly.
[0089] Methods for detecting immunomodulatory activity of an
immunostimulatory sequence have been described in the art and may
be readily identified using standard assays which indicate various
aspects of the immune response, such as cytokine secretion,
antibody production, NK cell activation and T cell proliferation.
See, e.g., WO 97/28259; WO 98/16247; WO 99/11275; Krieg et al.
(1995) Nature 374:546-549; Yamamoto et al. (1992a); Ballas et al.
(1996); Klinman et al. (1997); Sato et al. (1996); Pisetsky
(1996a); Shimada et al. (1986) Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 77:808-816;
Cowdery et al. (1996) J. Immunol. 156:4570-4575; Roman et al.
(1997); and Lipford et al. (1997a). Such methods are likewise
applicable for assessing the immunostimulatory activity of an IMO
and/or IMO/MC complex or encapsulate.
[0090] One property of an IMO is the "isolated immunomodulatory
activity" associated with the nucleotide sequence of the IMO. As
noted above, the present inventors have discovered that,
surprisingly, IMO/MC complexes exhibit immunomodulatory activity
even when the IMO has a sequence that, if presented as a
polynucleotide alone, does not exhibit comparable immunomodulatory
activity.
[0091] In some embodiments, an IMO of an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate does have "isolated immunomodulatory activity," or has
"inferior isolated immunomodulatory activity," (i.e., when compared
to the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate), as described below.
[0092] The "isolated immunomodulatory activity" of an IMO is
determined by measuring the immunomodulatory activity of an
isolated polynucleotide having the primary sequence of the IMO, and
having the same nucleic acid backbone (e.g., phosphrothioate,
phosphodiester, chimeric). To determine the independent
immunomodulatory activity of, for example, an IMO in the IMO/MC
complex, a test polynucleotide having the same sequence (e.g.,
5'-TCGTCG-3') and same backbone structure (e.g., phosphorothioate)
is synthesized using routine methods, and its immunomodulatory
activity (if any) is measured. Immunomodulatory activity can be
determined using standard assays which indicate various aspects of
the immune response, such as those described herein. For example,
the human PBMC assay described herein is used. To account for donor
variation, typically the assay is carried out in multiple donors. A
polynucleotide does not have immunomodulatory activity (and the
corresponding IMO does not have "isolated immunomodulatory
activity") when the amount of IFN-.gamma. secreted by PBMCs
contacted with the polynucleotide is not significantly greater
(e.g., less than about 2-fold greater) in the majority of donors
than in the absence of the test compound or, (in some embodiments)
in the presence of an active control compound (e.g.,
5'-TGACTGTGAACCTTAGAGATGA-3- ' SEQ ID NO:1)).
[0093] To compare the immunomodulatory activity of an IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate and an isolated polynucleotide,
immunomodulatory activity is measured, preferably, but not
necessarily, using the human PBMC assay. Usually, the activity of
two compounds is compared by assaying them in parallel under the
same conditions (e.g., using the same cells), usually at a
concentration of about 20 .mu.g/ml. Generally, concentration is
determined by measuring absorbance at 260 nm and using the
conversion 0.5 OD.sub.260/ml=20 .mu.g/ml. This normalizes the
amount of total nucleic acid in the test sample. Alternatively,
concentration or weight can be measured by other methods known in
the art.
[0094] An IMO of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate is characterized
as having "inferior immunomodulatory activity," when the test
polynucleotide has less activity than the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate to which it is compared. Preferably the isolated
immunomodulatory activity of the test polynucleotide is no more
than about 50% of the activity of the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate, more preferably no more than about 20%, most
preferably no more than about 10% of the activity of the IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate, or in some embodiments, even less.
[0095] Microcarriers
[0096] Microcarriers useful in the invention are less than about
150, 120, or 100 .mu.m in size, typically less than about 50-60
.mu.m in size, preferably less than about 20 or 10 .mu.m in size,
and are insoluble in pure water. Microcarriers used in the
invention are preferably biodegradable, although nonbiodegradable
microcarriers are acceptable. Microcarriers are commonly solid
phase, such as "beads" or other particles, although liquid phase
microcarriers such as oil in water emulsions comprising a
biodegradable polymers or oils are also contemplated. A wide
variety of biodegradable and nonbiodgradable materials acceptable
for use as microcarriers are known in the art.
[0097] Microcarriers for use in the compositions or methods of the
invention are generally less than about 20 to 10 .mu.m in size
(e.g., have an average diameter of less than about 10 .mu.m, or at
least about 97% of the particles pass through a 10 .mu.m screen
filter), and include nanocarriers (i.e., carriers of less than
about 1 .mu.m size). Preferably, microcarriers are selected having
sizes within an upper limit of about 9, 7, 5, 2, or 1 .mu.m or 900,
800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, or 100 nm and an
independently selected lower limit of about 4, 2, or 1 .mu.m or
about 800, 600, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50, 25, or 10
nm, where the lower limit is less than the upper limit. In some
embodiments, the microcarriers have a size of about 1.0-1.5 .mu.m,
about 1.0-2.0 .mu.m or about 0.9-1.6 .mu.m. In certain preferred
embodiments, the microcarriers have a size of about 10 nm to about
5 .mu.m, about 10 nm to about 10 .mu.m, 10 nm to about 20 .mu.m, or
about 25 nm to about 4.5 .mu.m, about 1 .mu.m, about 1.2 .mu.m,
about 1.4 .mu.m, about 1.5 .mu.m, about 1.6 .mu.m, about 1.8 .mu.m,
about 2.0 .mu.m, about 2.5 .mu.m or about 4.5 .mu.m. When the
microcarriers are nanocarriers, preferred embodiments include
nanocarriers of about 25 to about 300 nm, 50 to about 200 nm, about
50 nm, 100 nm, or about 200 nm.
[0098] Solid phase biodegradable microcarriers may be manufactured
from biodegradable polymers including, but not limited to:
biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic
acid), and copolymers (including block copolymers) thereof, as well
as block copolymers of poly(lactic acid), polymethylidene malonate,
and poly(ethylene glycol); polyorthoesters such as polymers based
on 3,9-diethylidene-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (DETOSU);
polyanhydrides such as poly(anhydride) polymers based on relatively
hydrophilic monomers such as sebacic acid; polyanhydride imides,
such as polyanhydride polymers based on sebacic acid-derived
monomers incorporating amino acids (i.e., linked to sebacic acid by
imide bonds through the amino-terminal nitrogen) such as glycine or
alanine; polyanhydride esters; polyphosphazenes, especially
poly(phosphazenes) which contain hydrolysis-sensitive ester groups
which can catalyze degradation of the polymer backbone through
generation of carboxylic acid groups (Schacht et al., (1996)
Biotechnol. Bioeng. 1996:102); and polyamides such as poly(lactic
acid-co-lysine).
[0099] A wide variety of nonbiodegradable materials suitable for
manufacturing microcarriers are also known, including, but not
limited to polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene,
polyacrylamide, latex, dextran, and inorganic materials including
inorganic crystalline materials such as silica, hydroxyapatite,
alum, and calcium phosphate, as well as ceramics, gold, and
ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials. Certain embodiments
exclude gold, latex, and/or magnetic beads. In certain embodiments,
the microcarriers may be made of a first material (e.g., a magnetic
material) encapsulated with a second material (e.g.,
polystyrene).
[0100] Solid phase microspheres are prepared using techniques known
in the art. For example, they can be prepared by emulsion-solvent
extraction/evaporation technique. Generally, in this technique,
biodegradable polymers such as polyanhydrates and
poly(.alpha.-hydroxy esters), for example, poly(lactic acid),
poly(glycolic acid), poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) and
poly(caprolactone), are dissolved in a suitable organic solvent,
such as methylene chloride, to constitute the dispersed phase (DP)
of the emulsion. The DP is emulsified by high-speed homogenization
into an excess volume of aqueous continuous phase (CP) that
contains a dissolved surfactant, for example, polyvinylalcohol
(PVA) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Surfactant in the CP is to
ensure the formation of discrete and suitably-sized emulsion
droplet. The organic solvent is then extracted into the CP and
subsequently evaporated by raising the system temperature. The
solid microparticles are then separated by centrifugation or
filtration, and dried, for example, by lyophilization or
application of vacuum, before storing at 4.degree. C. Production of
submicrometer-sized microcarriers (e.g., nanocarriers) from, for
example, poly(alkyl-.alpha.-cyanoacrylates- ), is preferably
carried out by the micellar polymerization of an
alkyl-cyano-acrylate as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,055.
[0101] Physico-chemical characteristics such as mean size, size
distribution and surface charge of dried microspheres may be
determined. Size characteristics are determined, for example, by a
dynamic light scattering technique (preferably used for
microcarriers of less than about 1-2 .mu.m in nominal size) or an
obscuration technique (preferably used for microcarriers of greater
than about 1 .mu.m in nominal size). Surface charge is preferably
determined by measuring the zeta potential.
[0102] Liquid phase microcarriers include liposomes, micelles, oil
droplets and other lipid or oil-based particles which incorporate
biodegradable polymers or oils. In certain embodiments, the
biodegradable polymer is a surfactant. In other embodiments, the
liquid phase microcarriers are biodegradable due to the inclusion
of a biodegradable oil such as squalene or a vegetable oil. One
preferred liquid phase microcarrier is oil droplets within an
oil-in-water emulsion. Preferably, oil-in-water emulsions used as
microcarriers comprise biodegradable substituents such as
squalene.
[0103] Antigen
[0104] IMO/MC complexes and encapsulates may be prepared which
comprise antigen or which are antigen-free, i.e., IMO/MC complexes
or encapsulates not linked to an antigen. Any antigen may be used
in the preparation of IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates comprising
antigen.
[0105] In some embodiments, the antigen is an allergen. Examples of
recombinant allergens are provided in Table 1. Preparation of many
allergens is well-known in the art, including, but not limited to,
preparation of ragweed pollen allergen Antigen E (Amb aI) (Rafnar
et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266:1229-1236), major dust mite
allergens Der pI and Der PII (Chua et al. (1988) J. Exp. Med.
167:175-182; Chua et al. (1990) Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol.
91:124-129), white birch pollen Bet vl (Breiteneder et al. (1989)
EMBO J. 8:1935-1938), domestic cat allergen Fel d I (Rogers et al.
(1993) Mol. Immunol. 30:559-568), and protein antigens from tree
pollen (Elsayed et al. (1991) Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. Suppl.
204:17-31). As indicated, allergens from trees are known, including
allergens from birch, juniper and Japanese cedar. Preparation of
protein antigens from grass pollen for in vivo administration has
been reported. Malley (1989) J. Reprod. Immunol. 16:173-186. As
Table 1 indicates, in some embodiments, the allergen is a food
allergen such as peanut allergen, for example Ara h I, and in some
embodiments, the allergen is a grass allergen such as a rye
allergen, for example Lol p 1. Table 1 shows a list of allergens
that may be used.
1TABLE 1 RECOMBINANT ALLERGENS Group Allergen Reference ANIMALS:
CRUSTACEA Shrimp/lobster tropomyosin Leung et al. (1996) J. Allergy
Clin. Immunol. 98: 954-961 Pan s I Leung et al. (1998) Mol. Mar.
Biol. Biotechnol. 7: 12-20 INSECTS Ant Sol i 2 (venom) Schmidt et
al. J Allergy Clin Immunol., 1996, 98: 82-8 Bee Phospholipase A2
(PLA) Muller et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1995, 96: 395-402
Forster et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1995, 95: 1229-35 Muller et
al. Clin Exp Allergy, 1997, 27: 915-20 Hyaluronidase (Hya)
Soldatova et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998, 101: 691-8 Cockroach
Bla g Bd9OK Helm et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1996, 98: 172-180
Bla g 4 (a calycin) Vailes et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998,
101: 274-280 Glutathione S- Arruda et al. J Biol Chem, 1997, 272:
20907-12 transferase Per a 3 Wu et al. Mol Immunol, 1997, 34: 1-8
Dust mite Der p 2 (major allergen) Lynch et al. J Allergy Clin
Immunol, 1998, 101: 562-4 Hakkaart et al. Clin Exp Allergy, 1998,
28: 169-74 Hakkaart et al. Clin Exp Allergy, 1998, 28: 45-52
Hakkaart et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1998, 115 (2): 150-6
Mueller et al. J Biol Chem, 1997, 272: 26893-8 Der p2 variant Smith
et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998, 101: 423-5 Der f2 Yasue et al.
Clin Exp Immunol, 1998, 113: 1-9 Yasue et al. Cell Immunol, 1997,
181: 30-7 Der p10 Asturias et al. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1998, 1397:
27-30 Tyr p 2 Eriksson et al. Eur J Biochem, 1998 Hornet Antigen 5
aka Dol m V Tomalski et al. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol, 1993,
(venom) 22: 303-13 Mosquito Aed a I (salivary Xu et al. Int Arch
Allergy Immunol, 1998, 115: 245-51 apyrase) Yellow jacket antigen
5, hyaluronidase King et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1996, 98:
588-600 and phospholipase (venom) MAMMALS Cat Fel d I Slunt et al.
J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1995, 95: 1221-8 Hoffmann et al. (1997) J
Allergy Clin Immunol 99: 227-32 Hedlin Curr Opin Pediatr, 1995, 7:
676-82 Cow Bos d 2 (dander; a Zeiler et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol,
1997, 100: 721-7 lipocalin) Rautiainen et al. Biochem Bioph. Res
Comm., 1998, 247: 746-50 .beta.-lactoglobulin (BLG, Chatel et al.
Mol Immunol, 1996, 33: 1113-8 major cow milk allergen) Lehrer et
al. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1996, 36: 553-64 Dog Can f I and Can f
2, Konieczny et al. Immunology, 1997, 92: 577-86 salivary
lipocalins Spitzauer et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1994, 93:
614-27 Vrtala et al. J Immunol, 1998, 160: 6137-44 Horse Equ c1
(major allergen, a Gregoire et al. J Biol Chem, 1996, 271: 32951-9
lipocalin) Mouse mouse urinary protein Konieczny et al. Immunology,
1997, 92: 577-86 (MUP) OTHER MAMMALIAN ALLERGENS Insulin Ganz et
al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1990, 86: 45-51 Grammer et al. J Lab
Clin Med, 1987, 109: 141-6 Gonzalo et al. Allergy, 1998, 53: 106-7
Interferons interferon alpha 2c Detmar et al. Contact Dermatis,
1989, 20: 149-50 MOLLUSCS topomyosin Leung et al. J Allergy Clin
Immunol, 1996, 98: 954-61 PLANT ALLERGENS: Barley Hor v 9 Astwood
et al. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1996, 409: 269-77 Birch pollen allergen,
Bet v 4 Twardosz et al. Biochem Bioph. Res Comm., 1997, 239: 197
rBet v 1 Bet v 2: Pauli et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1996, 97:
1100-9 (profilin) van Neerven et al. Clin Exp Allergy, 1998, 28:
423-33 Jahn-Schmid et al. Immunotechnology, 1996, 2: 103-13
Breitwieser et al. Biotechniques, 1996, 21: 918-25 Fuchs et al. J
Allergy Clin Immunol, 1997, 100: 3 56-64 Brazil nut globulin
Bartolome et al. Allergol Immunopathol, 1997,25: 135-44 Cherry Pru
a I (major allergen) Scheurer et al. Mol Immunol, 1997, 34: 619-29
Corn Zml3 (pollen) Heiss et al. FEBS Lett, 1996, 381: 217-21 Lehrer
et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1997, 113: 122-4 Grass Phl p 1,
Phl p 2, Phl p 5 Bufe et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1998, 157:
1269-76 (timothy grass pollen) Vrtala et al. J Immunol Jun 15,
1998, 160: 6137-44 Niederberger et al. J Allergy Clin Immun., 1998,
101: 258-64 Hol 1 5 velvet grass Schramm et al. Eur J Biochem,
1998, 252: 200-6 pollen Bluegrass allergen Zhang et al. J Immunol,
1993, 151: 791-9 Cyn d 7 Bermuda grass Smith et al. Int Arch
Allergy Immunol, 1997, 114: 265-71 Cyn d 12 (a profilin) Asturias
et al. Clin Exp Allergy, 1997, 27: 1307-13 Fuchs et al. J Allergy
Clin Immunol, 1997, 100: 356-64 Japanese Cedar Jun a 2 (Juniperus
ashei) Yokoyama et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2000, 275:
195-202 Cry j 1, Cry j 2 Kingetsu et al. Immunology, 2000, 99:
625-629 (Cryptomeria japonica) Juniper Jun o 2 (pollen) Tinghino et
al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998, 101: 772-7 Latex Hev b 7 Sowka et
al. Eur J Biochem, 1998, 255: 213-9 Fuchs et al. J Allergy Clin
Immunol, 1997, 100: 356-64 Mercurialis Mer a I (profilin) Vallverdu
et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998, 101: 363-70 Mustard Sin a I
(seed) Gonzalez de la Pena et al. Biochem Bioph. Res Comm.,
(Yellow) 1993, 190: 648-53 Oilseed rape Bra r I pollen allergen
Smith et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1997, 114: 265-71 Peanut Ara
h I Stanley et al. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1996, 409: 213-6 Burks et al.
J Clin Invest, 1995, 96: 1715-21 Burks et al. Int Arch Allergy
Immunol, 1995, 107: 248-50 Poa pratensis Poa p9 Parronchi et al.
Eur J Immunol, 1996, 26: 697-703 Astwood et al. Adv Exp Med Biol,
1996, 409: 269-77 Ragweed Amb a I Sun et al. Biotechnology Aug,
1995, 13: 779-86 Hirschwehr et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998,
101: 196-206 Casale et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1997, 100:
110-21 Rye Lol p I Tamborini et al. Eur J Biochem, 1997, 249:
886-94 Walnut Jug r I Teuber et al. J Allergy Clin Immun., 1998,
101: 807-14 Wheat allergen Fuchs et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol,
1997, 100: 356-64 Donovan et al. Electrophoresis, 1993, 14: 917-22
FUNGI: Aspergillus Asp f 1, Asp f 2, Asp f3, Crameri et al.
Mycoses, 1998, 41 Suppl 1: 56-60 Asp f 4, rAsp f 6 Hemmann et al.
Eur J Immunol, 1998, 28: 1155-60 Banerjee et al. J Allergy Clin
Immunol, 1997, 99: 821-7 Crameri Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1998,
115: 99-114 Crameri et al. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1996, 409: 111-6 Moser
et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1994, 93: 1-11 Manganese superoxide
Mayer et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1997, 113: 213-5 dismutase
(MNSOD) Blomia allergen Caraballo et al. Adv Exp Med Biol,
1996,409: 81-3 Penicillinium allergen Shen et al. Clin Exp Allergy,
1997, 27: 682-90 Psilocybe Psi c 2 Horner et al. Int Arch Allergy
Immunol, 1995, 107: 298-300
[0106] In some embodiments, the antigen is from an infectious
agent, including protozoan, bacterial, fungal (including
unicellular and multicellular), and viral infectious agents.
Examples of suitable viral antigens are described herein and are
known in the art. Bacteria include Hemophilus influenza,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bordetella pertussis. Protozoan
infectious agents include malarial plasmodia, Leishmania species,
Trypanosoma species and Schistosoma species. Fungi include Candida
albicans.
[0107] In some embodiments, the antigen is a viral antigen. Viral
polypeptide antigens include, but are not limited to, HIV proteins
such as HIV gag proteins (including, but not limited to, membrane
anchoring (MA) protein, core capsid (CA) protein and nucleocapsid
(NC) protein), HIV polymerase, influenza virus matrix (M) protein
and influenza virus nucleocapsid (NP) protein, hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core protein (HBcAg), hepatitis e
protein (HBeAg), hepatitis B DNA polymerase, hepatitis C antigens,
and the like. References discussing influenza vaccination include
Scherle and Gerhard (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4446-4450;
Scherle and Gerhard (1986) J. Exp. Med. 164:1114-1128; Granoffet
al. (1993) Vaccine 11:S46-51; Kodihalli et al. (1997) J. Virol.
71:3391-3396; Ahmeidaetal. (1993) Vaccine 11:1302-1309; Chen et al.
(1999) Vaccine 17:653-659; Govorkova and Smirnov (1997) Acta Virol.
(1997) 41:251-257; Koide et al. (1995) Vaccine 13:3-5; Mbawuike et
al. (1994) Vaccine 12:1340-1348; Tamura et al. (1994) Vaccine
12:310-316; Tamura et al. (1992) Eur. J. Immunol. 22:477-481;
Hirabayashi et al. (1990) Vaccine 8:595-599. Other examples of
antigen polypeptides are group- or sub-group specific antigens,
which are known for a number of infectious agents, including, but
not limited to, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, papilloma virus,
respiratory syncytial virus and poxviruses.
[0108] Many antigenic peptides and proteins are known, and
available in the art; others can be identified using conventional
techniques. For immunization against tumor formation or treatment
of existing tumors, immunomodulatory peptides can include tumor
cells (live or irradiated), tumor cell extracts, or protein
subunits of tumor antigens such as Her-2/neu, Mart1,
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), gangliosides, human milk fat
globule (HMFG), mucin (MUC1), MAGE antigens, BAGE antigens, GAGE
antigens, gp100, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and tyrosinase.
Vaccines for immuno-based contraception can be forned by including
sperm proteins administered with an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
of the invention. Lea et al. (1996) Biochim. Biophys. Acta
1307:263.
[0109] Attenuated and inactivated viruses are suitable for use
herein as the antigen. Preparation of these viruses is well-known
in the art and many are commercially available (see, e.g.,
Physicians' Desk Reference (1998) 52nd edition, Medical Economics
Company, Inc.). For example, polio virus is available as IPOL.RTM.
(Pasteur Merieux Connaught) and ORIMUNE.RTM. (Lederle
Laboratories), hepatitis A virus as VAQTA.RTM. (Merck), measles
virus as ATTENUVAX.RTM. (Merck), mumps virus as MUMPSVAX.RTM.
(Merck) and rubella virus as MERUVAX.RTM.II (Merck). Additionally,
attenuated and inactivated viruses such as HIV-1, HIV-2, herpes
simplex virus, hepatitis B virus, rotavirus, human and non-human
papillomavirus and slow brain viruses can provide peptide
antigens.
[0110] In some embodiments, the antigen comprises a viral vector,
such as vaccinia, adenovirus, and canary pox.
[0111] Antigens may be isolated from their source using
purification techniques known in the art or, more conveniently, may
be produced using recombinant methods.
[0112] Antigenic peptides can include purified native peptides,
synthetic peptides, recombinant proteins, crude protein extracts,
attenuated or inactivated viruses, cells, micro-organisms, or
fragments of such peptides. Immunomodulatory peptides can be native
or synthesized chemically or enzymatically. Any method of chemical
synthesis known in the art is suitable. Solution phase peptide
synthesis can be used to construct peptides of moderate size or,
for the chemical construction of peptides, solid phase synthesis
can be employed. Atherton et al. (1981) Hoppe Seylers Z. Physiol.
Chem. 362:833-839. Proteolytic enzymes can also be utilized to
couple amino acids to produce peptides. Kullmann (1987) Enzymatic
Peptide Synthesis, CRC Press, Inc. Alternatively, the peptide can
be obtained by using the biochemical machinery of a cell, or by
isolation from a biological source. Recombinant DNA techniques can
be employed for the production of peptides. Hames et al. (1987)
Transcription and Translation: A Practical Approach, IRL Press.
Peptides can also be isolated using standard techniques such as
affinity chromatography.
[0113] Preferably the antigens are peptides, lipids (e.g., sterols
excluding cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipids),
polysaccharides such as those used in H. influenza vaccines,
gangliosides and glycoproteins. These can be obtained through
several methods known in the art, including isolation and synthesis
using chemical and enzymatic methods. In certain cases, such as for
many sterols, fatty acids and phospholipids, the antigenic portions
of the molecules are commercially available.
[0114] Examples of viral antigens useful in the subject
compositions and methods using the compositions include, but are
not limited to, HIV antigens. Such antigens include, but are not
limited to, those antigens derived from HIV envelope glycoproteins
including, but not limited to, gp160, gp120 and gp41. Numerous
sequences for HIV genes and antigens are known. For example, the
Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV Sequence Database collects,
curates and annotates HIV nucleotide and amino acid sequences. This
database is accessible via the internet, at
http://hiv-web.lanl.gov/, and in a yearly publication, see Human
Retroviruses and AIDS Compendium (for example, 1998 edition).
[0115] Antigens derived from infectious agents may be obtained
using methods known in the art, for example, from native viral or
bacterial extracts, from cells infected with the infectious agent,
from purified polypeptides, from recombinantly produced
polypeptides and/or as synthetic peptides.
[0116] IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulations may be prepared
with other immunotherapeutic agents including, but not limited to,
cytokine, adjuvants and antibodies, such as anti-tumor antibodies
and derivatives thereof. These IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
formulations may be prepared with or without antigen.
[0117] IMO/MC Complexes
[0118] IMO/MC complexes comprise an IMO bound to the surface of a
microcarrier (i.e., the IMO is not encapsulated in the MC), and
preferably comprise multiple molecules of IMO bound to each
microcarrier. Most commonly, the IMO is linked to (and not embedded
in) the surface of the MC, although in certain embodiments the IMO
(or a moiety of the IMO) may be embedded in the surface of the MC.
In certain embodiments, a mixture of different IMOs may be
complexed a microcarrier, such that the microcarrier is bound to
more than one IMO species. The bond between the IMO and MC may be
covalent or non-covalent. As will be understood by one of skill in
the art, the IMO may be modified or derivatized and the composition
of the microcarrier may be selected and/or modified to accommodate
the desired type of binding desired for IMO/MC complex
formation.
[0119] The instant invention provides methods of making IMO/MC
complexes, as well as the products of such methods. IMO/MC
complexes are made by combining an IMO and an MC to form a complex.
The specific process for combining the IMO and MC to form a complex
will, of course, depend on the type and features of the MC as well
as the mode of conjugation of the IMO and MC. When the MC is a
solid phase MC, the IMO/MC complex is preferably made by contacting
the IMO and the MC under conditions which promote complex formation
(which will depend on the type of linkage used in the complex).
When the MC is liquid phase, the IMO may be combined with a
preformed MC under conditions which promote complex formation or be
combined with the components of the MC prior to formation of the
MC. In the situation where the IMO is combined with the components
of a liquid phase MC, the process of making the MC may incorporate
the IMO, thus resulting in the simultaneous creation of IMO/MC
complexes, or when it does not, the process will involve an
additional step under conditions which promote complex
formation.
[0120] IMO/MC complexes in accordance with the invention are
insoluble in pure water, and IMO/MC complex compositions are
preferably free of acetonitrile, dichloroethane, toluene, and
methylene chloride (dichlormethane).
[0121] Covalently bonded IMO/MC complexes may be linked using any
covalent crosslinking technology known in the art. Typically, the
IMO portion will be modified, either to incorporate an additional
moiety (e.g., a free amine, carboxyl or sulfhydryl group) or
incorporate modified (e.g., phosphorothioate) nucleotide bases to
provide a site at which the IMP portion may be linked to the
microcarrier. The link between the IMO and MC portions of the
complex can be made at the 3' or 5' end of the IMO, or at a
suitably modified base at an internal position in the IMO. The
microcarrier is generally also modified to incorporate moieties
through which a covalent link may be formed, although functional
groups normally present on the microcarrer may also be utilized.
The IMO/MC is formed by incubating the IMO with a microcarrier
under conditions which permit the formation of a covalent complex
(e.g., in the presence of a crosslinking agent or by use of an
activated microcarrier comprising an activated moiety which will
form a covalent bond with the IMO).
[0122] A wide variety of crosslinking technologies are known in the
art, and include crosslinkers reactive with amino, carboxyl and
sulfhydryl groups. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art,
the selection of a crosslinking agent and crosslinking protocol
will depend on the configuration of the IMO and the microcarrier as
well as the desired final configuration of the IMO/MC complex. The
crosslinker may be either homobifunctional or heterobifunctional.
When a homobifunctional crosslinker is used, the crosslinker
exploits the same moiety on the IMO and MC (e.g., an aldehyde
crosslinker may be used to covalently link an IMO and MC where both
the IMO and MC comprise one or more free amines).
Heterobifunctional crosslinkers utilize different moieties on the
IMO and MC, (e.g., a maleimido-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester may be
used to covalently link a free sulfhydryl on the IMO and a free
amine on the MC), and are preferred to minimize formation of
inter-microcarrier bonds. In most cases, it is preferable to
crosslink through a first crosslinking moiety on the microcarrier
and a second crosslinking moiety on the IMO, where the second
crosslinking moiety is not present on the microcarrier. One
preferred method of producing the IMO/MC complex is by `activating`
the microcarrier by incubating with a heterobifunctional
crosslinking agent, then forming the IMO/MC complex by incubating
the IMO and activated MC under conditions appropriate for reaction.
The crosslinker may incorporate a "spacer" arm between the reactive
moieties, or the two reactive moieties in the crosslinker may be
directly linked.
[0123] In one preferred embodiment, the IMO portion comprises at
least one free sulfhydryl (e.g., provided by a 5'-thiol modified
base or linker) for crosslinking to the microcarrier, while the
microcarrier comprises free amine groups. A heterobifunctional
crosslinker reactive with these two groups (e.g., a crosslinker
comprising a maleimide group and a NHS-ester), such as succinimidyl
4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carbo- xylate is used to
activate the MC, then covalently crosslink the IMO to form the
IMO/MC complex.
[0124] Non-covalent IMO/MC complexes may be linked by any
non-covalent binding or interaction, including ionic
(electrostatic) bonds, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds,
van der Waals attractions, or a combination of two or more
different interactions, as is normally the case when a binding pair
is to link the IMO and MC. As will be understood by those of skill
in the art, non-covalent IMO/MC complexes may be made by adsorption
of the IMO to the MC.
[0125] Non-covalent IMO/MC complexes are typically complexed by
hydrophobic or electrostatic (ionic) interactions, or a combination
thereof. Due to the hydrophilic nature of the backbone of
polynucleotides, IMO/MC complexes which rely on hydrophobic
interactions to form the complex generally require modification of
the IMO portion of the complex to incorporate a highly hydrophobic
moiety. Preferably, the hydrophobic moiety is biocompatible,
nonimmunogenic, and is naturally occurring in the individual for
whom the composition is intended (e.g., is found in mammals,
particularly humans). Examples of hydrophobic moieties include
lipids, steroids, sterols such as cholesterol, and terpenes. The
method of linking the hydrophobic moiety to the IMO will, of
course, depend on the configuration of the IMO and the identity of
the hydrophobic moiety. The hydrophobic moiety may be added at any
convenient site in the IMO, preferably at either the 5' or 3' end;
in the case of addition of a cholesterol moiety to an IMO, the
cholesterol moiety is preferably added to the 5' end of the IMO,
using conventional chemical reactions (see, for example, Godard et
al. (1995) Eur. J. Biochem. 232:404-410). Preferably, microcarriers
for use in IMO/MC complexes linked by hydrophobic bonding are made
from hydrophobic materials, such as oil droplets or hydrophobic
polymers, although hydrophilic materials modified to incorporate
hydrophobic moieties may be utilized as well. When the microcarrier
is a liposome or other liquid phase microcamer comprising a lumen,
the IMO/MC complex is formed by mixing the IMO and the MC after
preparation of the MC, in order to avoid encapsulation of the IMO
during the MC preparation process.
[0126] Non-covalent IMO/MC complexes bound by electrostatic binding
typically exploit the highly negative charge of the polynucleotide
backbone. Accordingly, microcarriers for use in non-covalently
bound IMO/MC complexes are generally positively charged (e.g.,
cationic) at physiological pH (e.g., about pH 6.8-7.4). The
microcarrier may intrinsically possess a positive charge, but
microcarriers made from compounds not normally possessing a
positive charge may be derivatized or otherwise modified to become
positively charged (e.g., cationic). For example, the polymer used
to make the microcarrier may be derivatized to add positively
charged groups, such as primary amines. Alternately, positively
charged compounds may be incorporated in the formulation of the
microcarrier during manufacture (e.g., positively charged
surfactants may be used during the manufacture of poly(lactic
acid)/poly(glycolic acid) copolymers to confer a positive charge on
the resulting microcarrier particles, as described, for example, in
Example 2). Thus, microcarriers may comprise a positively charged
moiety.
[0127] Generally, to prepare cationic microspheres, cationic lipids
or polymers, for example, 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammoniumpropane
(DOTAP), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or polylysine, are
added either to the DP or the CP, as per their solubility in these
phases.
[0128] Generally, IMO/MC complexes can be preformed by adsorbtion
onto cationic microspheres by incubation of IMO and the particles,
preferably in an aqueous admixture. Such incubation may be carried
out under any desired conditions, including ambient (room)
temperature (e.g., approximately 20.degree. C.) or under
refrigeration (e.g., 4.degree. C.). Because cationic microspheres
and IMOs associate relatively quickly, the incubation may be for
any convenient time period, such as 5, 10, 15 minutes or more,
including overnight and longer incubations. However, because
cationic microspheres and oligonucleotides spontaneously associate,
the IMO/MC complex can be formed by simple co-administration of the
IMO and the MC. Microspheres may be characterized for size and
surface charge before and after IMO association. Selected batches
may then be evaluated for activity against suitable controls in,
for example, established human peripheral blood mononuclear cell
(PBMC) and mouse splenocyte assays, as described herein. The
formulations may also be evaluated in suitable animal models.
[0129] In other embodiments, a binding pair may be used to link the
IMO and MC in an IMO/MC complex. The binding pair may be a receptor
and ligand, an antibody and antigen (or epitope), or any other
binding pair which binds at high affinity (e.g., K.sub.d less than
about 10.sup.-8). One type of preferred binding pair is biotin and
streptavidin or biotin and avidin, which form very tight complexes.
When using a binding pair to mediate IMO/MC complex binding, the
IMO is derivatized, typically by a covalent linkage, with one
member of the binding pair, and the MC is derivatized with the
other member of the binding pair. Mixture of the two derivatized
compounds results in IMO/MC complex formation.
[0130] Many IMO/MC complex embodiments do not include an antigen,
and certain embodiments exclude antigen(s) associated with the
disease or disorder which is the object of the IMO/MC complex
therapy. In further embodiments, the IMO is also bound to one or
more antigen molecules. Antigen may be coupled with the IMO portion
of an IMO/MC complex in a variety of ways, including covalent
and/or non-covalent interactions, as described, for example, in WO
98/16247. Alternately, the antigen may be linked to the
microcarrier (either directly or indirectly). Linkage of the
antigen to the IMO can be accomplished by any of a large number of
methods known in the art, including, but not limited to, direct
covalent linkage, covalent conjugation via a crosslinker moiety
(which may include a spacer arm), noncovalent conjugation via a
specific binding pair (e.g., biotin and avidin), and noncovalent
conjugation via electrostatic or hydrophobic bonding.
[0131] The link between the antigen and the IMO in IMO/MC complexes
comprising an antigen bound to the IMO can be made at the 3' or 5'
end of the IMO, or at a suitably modified base at an internal
position in the IMO. If the antigen is a peptide and contains a
suitable reactive group (e.g., an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) it
can be reacted directly with the N.sup.4 amino group of cytosine
residues. Depending on the number and location of cytosine residues
in the IMO, specific coupling at one or more residues can be
achieved.
[0132] Alternatively, modified nucleosides or nucleotides, such as
are known in the art, can be incorporated at either terminus, or at
internal positions in the IMO. These can contain blocked functional
groups which, when deblocked, are reactive with a variety of
functional groups which can be present on, or attached to, the
antigen of interest.
[0133] Where the antigen is a peptide, this portion of the
conjugate can be attached to the 3'-end of the IMO through solid
support chemistry. For example, the IMO portion can be added to a
polypeptide portion that has been pre-synthesized on a support.
Haralambidis et al. (1990a) Nucleic Acids Res. 18:493-499; and
Haralambidis et al. (1990b) Nucleic Acids Res. 18:501-505.
Alternatively, the IMO can be synthesized such that it is connected
to a solid support through a cleavable linker extending from the
3'-end. Upon chemical cleavage of the IMO from the support, a
terminal thiol group is left at the 3'-end of the oligonucleotide
(Zuckermann et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:5305-5321; and
Corey et al. (1987) Science 238:1401-1403) or a terminal amino
group is left at the 3'-end of the oligonucleotide (Nelson et al.
(1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 17:1781-1794). Conjugation of the
amino-modified IMO to amino groups of the peptide can be performed
as described in Benoit et al. (1987) Neuromethods 6:43-72.
Conjugation of the thiol-modified IMO to carboxyl groups of the
peptide can be performed as described in Sinha et al. (1991), pp.
185-210, Oligonucleotide Analogues: A Practical Approach, IRL
Press. Coupling of an oligonucleotide carrying an appended
maleimide to the thiol side chain of a cysteine residue of a
peptide has also been described. Tung et al. (1991) Bioconjug.
Chem. 2:464-465.
[0134] The peptide portion of the conjugate can be attached to the
5'-end of the IMO through an amine, thiol, or carboxyl group that
has been incorporated into the oligonucleotide during its
synthesis. Preferably, while the oligonucleotide is fixed to the
solid support, a linking group comprising a protected amine, thiol,
or carboxyl at one end, and a phosphoramidite at the other, is
covalently attached to the 5'-hydroxyl. Agrawal et al. (1986)
Nucleic Acids Res. 14:6227-6245; Connolly (1985) Nucleic Acids Res.
13:4485-4502; Kremsky et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res.
15:2891-2909; Connolly (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:3131-3139;
Bischoff et al. (1987) Anal. Biochem. 164:336-344; Blanks et al.
(1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16:10283-10299; and U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,849,513, 5,015,733, 5,118,800, and 5,118,802. Subsequent to
deprotection, the amine, thiol, and carboxyl functionalities can be
used to covalently attach the oligonucleotide to a peptide. Benoit
et al. (1987); and Sinha et al. (1991).
[0135] An IMO-antigen conjugate can also be formed through
non-covalent interactions, such as ionic bonds, hydrophobic
interactions, hydrogen bonds and/or van der Waals attractions.
[0136] Non-covalently linked conjugates can include a non-covalent
interaction such as a biotin-streptavidin complex. A biotinyl group
can be attached, for example, to a modified base of an IMO. Roget
et al. (1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 17:7643-7651. Incorporation of a
streptavidin moiety into the peptide portion allows formation of a
non-covalently bound complex of the streptavidin conjugated peptide
and the biotinylated oligonucleotide.
[0137] Non-covalent associations can also occur through ionic
interactions involving an IMO and residues within the antigen, such
as charged amino acids, or through the use of a linker portion
comprising charged residues that can interact with both the
oligonucleotide and the antigen. For example, non-covalent
conjugation can occur between a generally negatively-charged IMO
and positively-charged amino acid residues of a peptide, e.g.,
polylysine, polyarginine and polyhistidine residues.
[0138] Non-covalent conjugation between IMO and antigens can occur
through DNA binding motifs of molecules that interact with DNA as
their natural ligands. For example, such DNA binding motifs can be
found in transcription factors and anti-DNA antibodies.
[0139] The linkage of the IMO to a lipid can be formed using
standard methods. These methods include, but are not limited to,
the synthesis of oligonucleotide-phospholipid conjugates (Yanagawa
et al. (1988) Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 19:189-192),
oligonucleotide-fatty acid conjugates (Grabarek et al. (1990) Anal.
Biochem. 185:131-135; and Staros et al. (1986) Anal. Biochem.
156:220-222), and oligonucleotide-sterol conjugates. Boujrad et al.
(1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5728-5731.
[0140] The linkage of the IMO to an oligosaccharide can be formed
using standard known methods. These methods include, but are not
limited to, the synthesis of oligonucleotide-oligosaccharide
conjugates, wherein the oligosaccharide is a moiety of an
immunoglobulin. O'Shannessy et al. (1985) J. Applied Biochem.
7:347-355.
[0141] Additional methods for the attachment of peptides and other
molecules to oligonucleotides can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
5,391,723; Kessler (1992) "Nonradioactive labeling methods for
nucleic acids" in Kricka (ed.) Nonisotopic DNA Probe Techniques,
Academic Press; and Geoghegan et al. (1992) Bioconjug. Chem.
3:138-146.
[0142] IMO Encapsulated within MC
[0143] In another aspect of the invention, an IMO is encapsulated
within a microcarrier ("IMO/MC encapsulate"), and preferably
multiple molecules of IMO are encapsulated within each
microcarrier. In certain embodiments, a mixture of different IMOs
may be encapsulated with a microcarrier, such that the microcarrier
encapsulates more than one IMO species. In certain of embodiments
where the IMO is a encapsulated within the MC, the IMO is a 3 mer,
4 mer or 5 mer (3-5 mer). In certain embodiments where the IMO is
encapsulated within the MC, the IMO may be any 6-mer described
herein excluding the sequences 5'-TTCGAA-3', 5'-GACGTT-3', and/or
5'-GAGCTT-3', for example, the 6-mer IMO has the sequence
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3' or 5'-X.sub.1UCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1
is zero or one nucleotide, and X.sub.2 is zero to three
nucleotides. Additional examples of IMOs which may be utilized in
IMO/MC encapsulates are described above.
[0144] Methods of encapsulating oligonucleotides in microcarriers
are well known in the art, and described, for example,
International application WO98/55495. Colloidal dispersion systems,
such as microspheres, beads, macromolecular complexes, nanocapsules
and lipid-based system, such as oil-in-water emulsions, micelles,
mixed micelles and liposomes can provide effective encapsulation of
IMO within MC compositions. The encapsulation composition may
further comprise any of a wide variety of components. These
include, but are not limited to, alum, lipids, phospholipids, lipid
membrane structures (LMS), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and other
polymers, such as polypeptides, glycopeptides, and
polysaccharides.
[0145] Methods of the Invention
[0146] The invention provides methods of modulating an immune
response in an individual, preferably a mammal, more preferably a
human, comprising administering to the individual an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate (typically in a composition comprising the complex
or encapsulate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient) such
that the desired modulation of the immune response is achieved.
Immunomodulation may include stimulating a Th1-type immune response
and/or inhibiting or reducing a Th2-type immune response.
[0147] In some embodiments, the immune modulation comprises
stimulating a (i.e., one or more) Th1-associated cytokine, such as
IFN-.gamma., IL-12 and/or IFN-.alpha.. In some embodiments, the
immune modulation comprises suppressing production of a (i.e., one
or more) Th2-associated cytokine, such as IL-4 and/or IL-5.
Measuring these parameters uses methods standard in the art and has
been discussed herein.
[0148] As described herein, administration of IMO/MC may further
comprise administration of one or more additional immunotherapeutic
agents (i.e., an agent which acts via the immune system and/or is
derived from the immune system) including, but not limited to,
cytokine, adjuvants and antibodies. Examples of therapeutic
antibodies include those used in the cancer context (e.g.,
anti-tumor antibodies). Administration of such additional
immunotherapeutic agents applies to all the methods described
herein. In the cancer context, administration of IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate may further comprise administration of one or more
additional therapeutic agents such as, for example, anti-tumor
antibodies, chemotherapy regimens and/or radiation treatments.
Anti-tumor antibodies, including, but not limited to anti-tumor
antibody fragments and/or derivatives thereof, and monoclonal
anti-tumor antibodies, fragments and/or derivatives thereof, are
known in the art and as is administration of such antibody reagents
in cancer therapy (e.g., Rituximab; Herceptin). Administration of
one or more additional therapeutic agents may occur before, after
and/or concurrent with administration of the IMO/MC complexes or
encapsulates.
[0149] In certain embodiments, the individual suffers from a
disorder associated with a Th2-type immune response, such as
allergies or allergy-induced asthma. Administration of an IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate results in immunomodulation, increasing
levels of one or more Th1-type response associated cytokines, which
may result in a reduction of the Th2-type response features
associated with the individual's response to the allergen.
Immunomodulation of individuals with Th2-type response associated
disorders results in a reduction or improvement in one or more of
the symptoms of the disorder. Where the disorder is allergy or
allergy-induced asthma, improvement in one or more of the symptoms
includes a reduction one or more of the following: rhinitis,
allergic conjunctivitis, circulating levels of IgE, circulating
levels of histamine and/or requirement for `rescue` inhaler therapy
(e.g., inhaled albuterol administered by metered dose inhaler or
nebulizer). It should be noted that the methods of the invention
relating to the treatment of asthma are believed to be a treatment
of the underlying causes which results in amelioration of one or
more symptoms of asthma. Accordingly, an individual that suffers
from asthma is an individual who has been diagnosed with asthma,
and need not be suffering acute asthma at or near the time of
treatment.
[0150] In further embodiments, the individual subject to the
immunomodulatory therapy of the invention is an individual
receiving a vaccine. The vaccine may be a prophylactic vaccine or a
therapeutic vaccine. A prophylactic vaccine comprises one or more
epitopes associated with a disorder for which the individual may be
at risk (e.g., M. tuberculosis antigens as a vaccine for prevention
of tuberculosis, allergens as a vaccine for prevention of
allergies, tumor associated antigens for prevention of cancer).
Therapeutic vaccines comprise one or more epitopes associated with
a particular disorder affecting the individual, such as M.
tuberculosis or M. bovis surface antigens in tuberculosis patients,
antigens to which the individual is allergic (i.e., allergy
desensitization therapy) in individuals subject to allergies, tumor
cells from an individual with cancer (e.g., as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,484,596), or tumor associated antigens in cancer
patients. The IMO/MC complex or encapsulate may be given in
conjunction with the vaccine (e.g., in the same injection or a
contemporaneous, but separate, injection) or the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate may be administered separately (e.g., at least 12 hours
before or after administration of the vaccine). In certain
embodiments, the antigen(s) of the vaccine is part of the IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate, by either covalent or non-covalent linkage
to the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate. Administration of IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate therapy to an individual receiving a vaccine
results in an immune response to the vaccine that is shifted
towards a Th1-type response as compared to individuals which
receive vaccine without IMO/MC complex or encapsulate. Shifting
towards a Th1-type response may be recognized by a delayed-type
hypersensitivity (DTH) response to the antigen(s) in the vaccine,
increased IFN-.gamma. and other Th1-type response associated
cytokines, increased IFN-.alpha., production of CTLs specific for
the antigen(s) of the vaccine, low or reduced levels of IgE
specific for the antigen(s) of the vaccine, a reduction in
Th2-associated antibodies specific for the antigen(s) of the
vaccine, and/or an increase in Th1-associated antibodies specific
for the antigen(s) of the vaccine. In the case of therapeutic
vaccines, administration of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate and
vaccine also results in amelioration of the symptoms of the
disorder which the vaccine is intended to treat. As will be
apparent to one of skill in the art, the exact symptoms and manner
of their improvement will depend on the disorder sought to be
treated. For example, where the therapeutic vaccine is for
tuberculosis, IMO/MC complex or encapsulate treatment with vaccine
results in reduced coughing, pleural or chest wall pain, fever,
and/or other symptoms known in the art. Where the vaccine is an
allergen used in allergy desensitization therapy, the treatment
results in a reduction in one or more symptoms of allergy (e.g.,
reduction in rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, circulating levels
of IgE, and/or circulating levels of histamine).
[0151] Other embodiments of the invention relate to
immunomodulatory therapy of individuals having a pre-existing
disease or disorder, such as cancer or an infectious disease.
Cancer is an attractive target for immunomodulation because most
cancers express tumor-associated and/or tumor specific antigens
which are not found on other cells in the body. Stimulation of a
Th1-type response against tumor cells results in direct and/or
bystander killing of tumor cells by the immune system, leading to a
reduction in cancer cells and a reduction in symptoms.
Administration of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate to an individual
having cancer results in stimulation of a Th1-type immune response
against the tumor cells. Such an immune response can kill tumor
cells, either by direct action of cellular immune system cells
(e.g., CTLs) or components of the humoral immune system, or by
bystander effects on cells proximal to cells targeted by the immune
system.
[0152] Immunomodulatory therapy in accordance with the invention is
also useful for individuals with infectious diseases, particularly
infectious diseases which are resistant to humoral immune responses
(e.g., diseases caused by mycobacterial infections and
intracellular pathogens). Immunomodulatory therapy may be used for
the treatment of infectious diseases caused by cellular pathogens
(e.g., bacteria or protozoans) or by subcellular pathogens (e.g.,
viruses). IMO/MC complex or encapsulate therapy may be administered
to individuals suffering from mycobacterial diseases such as
tuberculosis (e.g., M. tuberculosis and/or M. bovis infections),
leprosy (i.e., M. leprae infections), or M. marinum or M. ulcerans
infections. IMO/MC complex or encapsulate therapy is also useful
for the treatment of viral infections, including infections by
influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis virus
B, hepatitis virus C, herpes viruses, particularly herpes simplex
viruses (including HSV2), and papilloma viruses. Diseases caused by
intracellular parasites such as malaria (e.g., infection by
Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. falciparum and/or P. malariae),
leishmaniasis (e.g., infection by Leishmania donovani, L. tropica,
L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, L. peruviana, L. infantum, L.
chagasi, and/or L. aethiopica), and toxoplasmosis (i.e., infection
by Toxoplasmosis gondii) also benefit from IMO/MC complex
encapsulate therapy. IMO/MC therapy is also useful for treatment of
parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis (i.e., infection by
blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma such as S. haematobium, S.
mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. mekongi) and clonorchiasis (i.e.,
infection by Clonorchis sinensis). Administration of an IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate to an individual suffering from an
infectious disease results in an amelioration of one or more
symptoms of the infectious disease.
[0153] The invention further provides methods of increasing at
least one Th1-associated cytokine in an individual, including IL-2,
IL-12, TNF-.beta., and IFN-.gamma.. In certain embodiments, the
invention provides methods of increasing IFN-.gamma. in an
individual, particularly in an individual in need of increased
IFN-.gamma. levels, by administering an effective amount of an
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate to the individual. Individuals in
need of increased IFN-.gamma. are those having disorders which
respond to the administration of IFN-.gamma.. Such disorders
include a number of inflammatory disorders including, but not
limited to, ulcerative colitis. Such disorders also include a
number of fibrotic disorders, including, but not limited to,
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), scleroderma, cutaneous
radiation-induced fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis including
schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis as well as
other conditions which may be improved by administration of
IFN-.gamma.. Administration of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate in
accordance with the invention results in an increase in IFN-.gamma.
levels, and results in amelioration of one or more symptoms,
stabilization of one or more symptoms, or prevention of progression
(e.g., reduction or elimination of additional lesions or symptoms)
of the disorder which responds to IFN-.gamma.. The methods of the
invention may be practiced in combination with other therapies
which make up the standard of care for the disorder, such as
administration of anti-inflammatory agents such as systemic
corticosteroid therapy (e.g., cortisone) in IPF.
[0154] In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of
increasing IFN-.alpha. in an individual, particularly in an
individual in need of increased IFN-.alpha. levels, by
administering an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate to the individual such that IFN-.alpha. levels are
increased. Individuals in need of increased IFN-.alpha. are those
having disorders which respond to the administration of
IFN-.alpha., including recombinant IFN-.alpha., including, but not
limited to, viral infections and cancer.
[0155] Administration of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate in
accordance with the invention results in an increase in IFN-.alpha.
levels, and results in amelioration of one or more symptoms,
stabilization of one or more symptoms, or prevention of progression
(e.g., reduction or elimination of additional lesions or symptoms)
of the disorder which responds to IFN-.alpha.. The methods of the
invention may be practiced in combination with other therapies
which make up the standard of care for the disorder, such as
administration of anti-viral agents for viral infections.
[0156] Also provided are methods of reducing levels, particularly
serum levels, of IgE in an individual having an IgE-related
disorder by administering an effective amount of an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate to the individual such that levels of IgE are
reduced. Reduction in IgE results in an amelioration of symptoms of
the IgE-related disorder. Such symptoms include allergy symptoms
such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, in decreased sensitivity to
allergens, a reduction in the symptoms of allergy in an individual
with allergies, or a reduction in severity of a allergic
response.
[0157] As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, the methods
of the invention may be practiced in combination with other
therapies for the particular indication for which the IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate is administered. For example, IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate therapy may be administered in conjunction with
anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine for malaria patients, in
conjunction with leishmanicidal drugs such as pentamidine and/or
allopurinol for leishmaniasis patients, in conjunction with
anti-mycobacterial drugs such as isoniazid, rifampin and/or
ethambutol in tuberculosis patients, or in conjunction with
allergen desensitization therapy for atopic (allergy) patients.
[0158] Administration and Assessment of the Immune Response
[0159] The IMO/MC complex or encapsulate can be administered in
combination with other pharmaceutical and/or immunogenic and/or
immunostimulatory agents and can be combined with a physiologically
acceptable carrier thereof.
[0160] Accordingly, the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate can be
administered in conjunction with other immunotherapeutic agents
including, but not limited to, cytokine, adjuvants and
antibodies.
[0161] The IMO/MC complex or encapsulate may comprise any
combination of the IMOs and MCs described above, so long as the
IMO/MC is active. Generally, in some embodiments, an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate will be considered active if it has an activity
(i.e., affects a measurable immune response as measured in vitro,
in vivo and/or ex vivo) of at least two times, preferably at least
three times, more preferably at least five times, even more
preferably ten times the activity of a negative control in at least
one assay of activity. Methods of assessing a measurable immune
response are well known in the art, and include the human PBMC
assay disclosed herein.
[0162] As with all immunogenic compositions, the immunologically
effective amounts and method of administration of the particular
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulation can vary based on the
individual, what condition is to be treated and other factors
evident to one skilled in the art. Factors to be considered include
the antigenicity, whether or not the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
will be administered with or covalently attached to an adjuvant or
delivery molecule, route of administration and the number of
immunizing doses to be administered. Such factors are known in the
art and it is well within the skill of those in the art to make
such determinations without undue experimentation. A suitable
dosage range is one that provides the desired modulation of immune
response to the antigen. Generally, dosage is determined by the
amount of IMO administered to the patient, rather than the overall
quantity of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate. Useful dosage ranges of
the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate, given in amounts of IMO
administered, may be, for example, from about any of the following:
0.1 to 100 .mu.g/kg, 0.1 to 50 .mu.g/kg, 0.1 to 25 .mu.g/kg, 0.1 to
10 .mu.g/kg, 1 to 500 .mu.g/kg, 100 to 400 .mu.g/kg, 200 to 300
.mu.g/kg, 1 to 100 .mu.g/kg, 100 to 200 .mu.g/kg, 300 to 400
.mu.g/kg, 400 to 500 .mu.g/kg. Alternatively, the doses can be
about any of the following: 0.1 .mu.g, 0.25 .mu.g, 0.5 .mu.g, 1.0
.mu.g, 2.0 .mu.g, 5.0 .mu.g, 10 .mu.g, 25 .mu.g, 50 .mu.g, 75
.mu.g, 100 .mu.g. Accordingly, dose ranges can be those with a
lower limit about any of the following: 0.1 .mu.g, 0.25 .mu.g, 0.5
.mu.g and 1.0 .mu.g; and with an upper limit of about any of the
following: 25 .mu.g, 50 .mu.g and 100 .mu.g. The absolute amount
given to each patient depends on pharmacological properties such as
bioavailability, clearance rate and route of administration.
[0163] The effective amount and method of administration of the
particular IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulation can vary based
on the individual patient and the stage of the disease and other
factors evident to one skilled in the art. The route(s) of
administration useful in a particular application are apparent to
one of skill in the art. Routes of administration include but are
not limited to topical, dermal, transdermal, transmucosal,
epidermal, parenteral, gastrointestinal, and nasopharyngeal and
pulmonary, including transbronchial and transalveolar. A suitable
dosage range is one that provides sufficient IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate to attain a tissue concentration of about 1-10 .mu.M as
measured by blood levels. The absolute amount given to each patient
depends on pharmacological properties such as bioavailability,
clearance rate and route of administration.
[0164] As described herein, APCs and tissues with high
concentration of APCs are preferred targets for the IMO/MC
complexes or encapsulates. Thus, administration of IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate to mammalian skin and/or mucosa, where APCs are
present in relatively high concentration, is preferred.
[0165] The present invention provides IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
formulations suitable for topical application including, but not
limited to, physiologically acceptable implants, ointments, creams,
rinses and gels. Topical administration is, for instance, by a
dressing or bandage having dispersed therein a delivery system, by
direct administration of a delivery system into incisions or open
wounds, or by transdermal administration device directed at a site
of interest. Creams, rinses, gels or ointments having dispersed
therein an IMO/MC complex encapsulate are suitable for use as
topical ointments or wound filling agents.
[0166] Preferred routes of dermal administration are those which
are least invasive. Preferred among these means are transdermal
transmission, epidermal administration and subcutaneous injection.
Of these means, epidermal administration is preferred for the
greater concentrations of APCs expected to be in intradermal
tissue.
[0167] Transdermal administration is accomplished by application of
a cream, rinse, gel, etc. capable of allowing the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate to penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream.
Compositions suitable for transdermal administration include, but
are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable suspensions, oils,
creams and ointments applied directly to the skin or incorporated
into a protective carrier such as a transdermal device (so-called
"patch"). Examples of suitable creams, ointments etc. can be found,
for instance, in the Physician's Desk Reference.
[0168] For transdermal transmission, iontophoresis is a suitable
method. Iontophoretic transmission can be accomplished using
commercially available patches which deliver their product
continuously through unbroken skin for periods of several days or
more. Use of this method allows for controlled transmission of
pharmaceutical compositions in relatively great concentrations,
permits infusion of combination drugs and allows for
contemporaneous use of an absorption promoter.
[0169] An exemplary patch product for use in this method is the
LECTRO PATCH trademarked product of General Medical Company of Los
Angeles, Calif. This product electronically maintains reservoir
electrodes at neutral pH and can be adapted to provide dosages of
differing concentrations, to dose continuously and/or periodically.
Preparation and use of the patch should be performed according to
the manufacturer's printed instructions which accompany the LECTRO
PATCH product; those instructions are incorporated herein by this
reference. Other occlusive patch systems are also suitable.
[0170] For transdermal transmission, low-frequency ultrasonic
delivery is also a suitable method. Mitragotri et al. (1995)
Science 269:850-853. Application of low-frequency ultrasonic
frequencies (about 1 MHz) allows the general controlled delivery of
therapeutic compositions, including those of high molecular
weight.
[0171] Epidermal administration essentially involves mechanically
or chemically irritating the outermost layer of the epidermis
sufficiently to provoke an immune response to the irritant.
Specifically, the irritation should be sufficient to attract APCs
to the site of irritation.
[0172] An exemplary mechanical irritant means employs a
multiplicity of very narrow diameter, short tines which can be used
to irritate the skin and attract APCs to the site of irritation, to
take up IMO/MC complex or encapsulate transferred from the end of
the tines. For example, the MONO-VACC old tuberculin test
manufactured by Pasteur Merieux of Lyon, France contains a device
suitable for introduction of IMO/MC complex- or
encapsulate-containing compositions.
[0173] The device (which is distributed in the U.S. by Connaught
Laboratories, Inc. of Swiftwater, Pa.) consists of a plastic
container having a syringe plunger at one end and a tine disk at
the other. The tine disk supports a multiplicity of narrow diameter
tines of a length which will just scratch the outermost layer of
epidermal cells. Each of the tines in the MONO-VACC kit is coated
with old tuberculin; in the present invention, each needle is
coated with a pharmaceutical composition of IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate formulation. Use of the device is preferably according
to the manufacturer's written instructions included with the device
product. Similar devices which can also be used in this embodiment
are those which are currently used to perform allergy tests.
[0174] Another suitable approach to epidermal administration of
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate is by use of a chemical which
irritates the outermost cells of the epidermis, thus provoking a
sufficient immune response to attract APCs to the area. An example
is a keratinolytic agent, such as the salicylic acid used in the
commercially available topical depilatory creme sold by Noxema
Corporation under the trademark NAIR.RTM.. This approach can also
be used to achieve epithelial administration in the mucosa. The
chemical irritant can also be applied in conjunction with the
mechanical irritant (as, for example, would occur if the MONO-VACC
type tine were also coated with the chemical irritant). The IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate can be suspended in a carrier which also
contains the chemical irritant or coadministered therewith.
[0175] Parenteral routes of administration include but are not
limited to electrical (iontophoresis) or direct injection such as
direct injection into a central venous line, intravenous,
intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal, or subcutaneous
injection. IMO/MC formulations suitable for parenteral
administration are generally formulated in USP water or water for
injection and may further comprise pH buffers, salts bulking
agents, preservatives, and other pharmaceutically acceptable
excipients. IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates for parenteral
injection may be formulated in pharmaceutically acceptable sterile
isotonic solutions such as saline and phosphate buffered saline for
injection.
[0176] Gastrointestinal routes of administration include, but are
not limited to, ingestion and rectal. The invention includes IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate formulations suitable for gastrointestinal
administration including, but not limited to, pharmaceutically
acceptable powders, pills or liquids for ingestion and
suppositories for rectal administration. As will be apparent to one
of skill in the art, pills or suppositories will further comprise
pharmaceutically acceptable solids, such as starch, to provide bulk
for the composition.
[0177] Naso-pharyngeal and pulmonary administration include are
accomplished by inhalation, and include delivery routes such as
intranasal, transbronchial and transalveolar routes. The invention
includes IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulations suitable for
administration by inhalation including, but not limited to, liquid
suspensions for forming aerosols as well as powder forms for dry
powder inhalation delivery systems. Devices suitable for
administration by inhalation of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
formulations include, but are not limited to, atomizers,
vaporizers, nebulizers, and dry powder inhalation delivery
devices.
[0178] The choice of delivery routes can be used to modulate the
immune response elicited. For example, IgG titers and CTL
activities were identical when an influenza virus vector was
administered via intramuscular or epidermal (gene gun) routes;
however, the muscular inoculation yielded primarily IgG2a, while
the epidermal route yielded mostly IgG1. Pertmer et al. (1996) J.
Virol. 70:6119-6125. Thus, one skilled in the art can take
advantage of slight differences in immunogenicity elicited by
different routes of administering the immunomodulatory
oligonucleotides of the present invention.
[0179] The above-mentioned compositions and methods of
administration are meant to describe but not limit the methods of
administering the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulations of the
invention. The methods of producing the various compositions and
devices are within the ability of one skilled in the art and are
not described in detail here.
[0180] Analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) of the activity
of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulations can be by any method
known in the art, including, but not limited to, measuring
antigen-specific antibody production (including measuring specific
antibody subclasses), activation of specific populations of
lymphocytes such as CD4+ T cells or NK cells, production of
cytokines such as IFN-.gamma., IFN-.alpha., IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10
or IL-12 and/or release of histamine. Methods for measuring
specific antibody responses include enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA) and are well known in the art. Measurement of numbers
of specific types of lymphocytes such as CD4+ T cells can be
achieved, for example, with fluorescence-activated cell sorting
(FACS). Cytotoxicity assays can be performed for instance as
described in Raz et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
91:9519-9523. Cytokine concentrations can be measured, for example,
by ELISA. These and other assays to evaluate the immune response to
an immunogen are well known in the art. See, for example, Selected
Methods in Cellular Immunology (1980) Mishell and Shiigi, eds., W.
H. Freeman and Co. One preferred method of measuring the activity
of an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate is an assay which measures the
response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, preferably
human PBMCs) to the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate, such as that
described below in the Examples.
[0181] Preferably, a Th1-type response is stimulated, i.e.,
elicited and/or enhanced. With reference to the invention,
stimulating a Th1-type immune response can be determined in vitro
or ex vivo by measuring cytokine production from cells treated with
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate as compared to those treated without
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate. Methods to determine the cytokine
production of cells include those methods described herein and any
known in the art. The type of cytokines produced in response to
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate treatment indicate a Th1-type or a
Th2-type biased immune response by the cells. As used herein, the
term "Th1-type biased" cytokine production refers to the measurable
increased production of cytokines associated with a Th1-type immune
response in the presence of a stimulator as compared to production
of such cytokines in the absence of stimulation. Examples of such
Th1-type biased cytokines include, but are not limited to, IL-2,
IL-12, and IFN-.gamma.. In contrast, "Th2-type biased cytokines"
refers to those associated with a Th2-type immune response, and
include, but are not limited to, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Cells
useful for the determination of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
activity include cells of the immune system, primary cells isolated
from a host and/or cell lines, preferably APCs and lymphocytes,
even more preferably macrophages and T cells.
[0182] Stimulating a Th1-type immune response can also be measured
in a host treated with an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate formulation
can be determined by any method known in the art including, but not
limited to: (1) a reduction in levels of IL-4 or IL-5 measured
before and after antigen-challenge; or detection of lower (or even
absent) levels of IL-4 or IL-5 in an IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
treated host as compared to an antigen-primed, or primed and
challenged, control treated without IMO; (2) an increase in levels
of IL-12, IL-18 and/or IFN (.alpha., .beta. or .gamma.) before and
after antigen challenge; or detection of higher levels of IL-12,
IL-18 and/or IFN (.alpha., .beta. or .gamma.) in an IMO/MC complex
or encapsulate treated host as compared to an antigen-primed or,
primed and challenged, control treated without IMO; (3) "Th1-type
biased" antibody production in an I MO/MC complex or encapsulate
treated host as compared to a control treated without IMO; and/or
(4) a reduction in levels of antigen-specific IgE as measured
before and after antigen challenge; or detection of lower (or even
absent) levels of antigen-specific IgE in an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate treated host as compared to an antigen-primed, or
primed and challenged, control treated without IMO. A variety of
these determinations can be made by measuring cytokines made by
APCs and/or lymphocytes, preferably macrophages and/or T cells, in
vitro or ex vivo using methods described herein or any known in the
art. Some of these determinations can be made by measuring the
class and/or subclass of antigen-specific antibodies using methods
described herein or any known in the art.
[0183] The class and/or subclass of antigen-specific antibodies
produced in response to IMO/MC complex or encapsulate treatment
indicate a Th1-type or a Th2-type biased immune response by the
cells. As used herein, the term "Th1-type biased" antibody
production refers to the measurable increased production of
antibodies associated with a Th1-type immune response (i.e.,
Th1-associated antibodies). One or more Th1 associated antibodies
may be measured. Examples of such Th1-type biased antibodies
include, but are not limited to, human IgG1 and/or IgG3 (see, e.g.,
Widhe et al. (1998) Scand. J. Immunol. 47:575-581 and de Martino et
al. (1999) Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 83:160-164) and murine
IgG2a. In contrast, "Th2-type biased antibodies" refers to those
associated with a Th2-type immune response, and include, but are
not limited to, human IgG2, IgG4 and/or IgE (see, e.g., Widhe et
al. (1998) and de Martino et al. (1999)) and murine IgG1 and/or
IgE.
[0184] The Th1-type biased cytokine induction which occurs as a
result of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate administration produces
enhanced cellular immune responses, such as those performed by NK
cells, cytotoxic killer cells, Th1 helper and memory cells. These
responses are particularly beneficial for use in protective or
therapeutic vaccination against viruses, fungi, protozoan
parasites, bacteria, allergic diseases and asthma, as well as
tumors.
[0185] In some embodiments, a Th2 response is suppressed.
Suppression of a Th2 response may be determined by, for example,
reduction in levels of Th2-associated cytokines, such as IL-4 and
IL-5, as well as IgE reduction and reduction in histamine release
in response to allergen.
[0186] Kits of the Invention
[0187] The invention provides kits for use in the methods of the
invention. In certain embodiments, the kits of the invention
comprise one or more containers comprising an IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate and, optionally, a set of instructions, generally
written instructions, relating to the use of the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate for the intended treatment (e.g., immunomodulation,
ameliorating one or more symptoms of an infectious disease,
increasing IFN-.gamma. levels, increasing IFN-.alpha. levels, or
ameliorating an IgE-related disorder). In further embodiments, the
kits of the invention comprise containers of materials for
producing IMO/MC, instructions for producing IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate, and, optionally, instructions relating to the use of
the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate for the intended treatment.
[0188] Kits which comprise preformed IMO/MC complex or encapsulate
comprise IMO/MC complex or encapsulate packaged in any convenient,
appropriate packaging. For example, if the IMO/MC complex or
encapsulate is a dry formulation (e.g., freeze dried or a dry
powder), a vial with a resilient stopper is normally used, so that
the IMO/MC complex or encapsulate may be easily resuspended by
injecting fluid through the resilient stopper. Ampoules with
non-resilient, removable closures (e.g., sealed glass) or resilient
stoppers are most conveniently used for liquid formulations of
IMO/MC complex or encapsulate. Also contemplated are packages for
use in combination with a specific device, such as an inhaler,
nasal administration device (e.g., an atomizer) or an infusion
device such as a minipump.
[0189] Kits which comprise materials for production of IMO/MC
complex or encapsulate generally include separate containers of IMO
and MC, although in certain embodiments materials for producing the
MC (particularly for IMO/MC encapsulates) are supplied rather than
preformed MC. The IMO and MC are preferably supplied in a form
which allows formation of IMO/MC complex or encapsulate upon mixing
of the supplied IMO and MC. This configuration is preferred when
the IMO/MC complex is linked by non-covalent bonding or when an
IMO/MC encapsulate is desired. This configuration is also preferred
when the IMO and MC are to be crosslinked via a heterobifunctional
crosslinker; either IMO or the MC is supplied in an "activated"
form (e.g., linked to the heterobifunctional crosslinker such that
a moiety reactive with the IMO is available).
[0190] Kits for IMO/MC complexes or encapsulates comprising a
liquid phase MC preferably comprise one or more containers
including materials for producing liquid phase MC. For example, an
IMO/MC kit for oil-in-water emulsion MC may comprise one or more
containers containing an oil phase and an aqueous phase. The
contents of the container are emulsified to produce the MC, which
may be then mixed with the IMO, preferably an IMO which has been
modified to incorporate a hydrophobic moiety. Alternately, the IMO
and the material for preparation of the MC may be first combined,
then emulsified to produce IMO encapsulated in the newly formed MC.
Such materials include oil and water, for production of
oil-in-water emulsions, or containers of lyophilized liposome
components (e.g., a mixture of phospholipid, cholesterol and a
surfactant) plus one or more containers of an aqueous phase (e.g.,
a pharmaceutically-acceptable aqueous buffer).
[0191] The instructions relating to the use of IMO/MC complex for
the intended treatment generally include information as to dosage,
dosing schedule, and route of administration for the intended
treatment. The containers of IMO/MC (or separate containers of IMO
and MC for local production of IMO/MC complex) may be unit doses,
bulk packages (e.g., multi-dose packages) or sub-unit doses.
Instructions supplied in the kits of the invention are typically
written instructions on a label or package insert (e.g., a paper
sheet included in the kit), but machine-readable instructions
(e.g., instructions carried on a magnetic or optical storage disk)
are also acceptable.
[0192] The following Examples are provided to illustrate, but not
limit, the invention.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0193] Synthesis of Immunomodulatory Oligonucleotides
[0194] Oligonucleotides containing phosphorothiate linkages were
synthesized on a Perseptive Biosystems Expedite 8909 automated DNA
synthesizer. The manufacturer's protocol for 15 .mu.mol
phosphorothioate DNA was used with the following changes: 1.6 ml of
3% dichloroacetic acid in dichloromethane over 2.5 min was used for
the detritylation step; and 3.0 ml of 0.02 M
3-amino-1,2,4-dithiazole-5-thione (ADTT) in 9:1
acetonitrile:pyridine over 1.1 min followed by a 1.0 ml delivery
over 1.0 min was used for the sulfurization step. The nucleoside
phosphoramidite monomers were dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile
to a concentration of 0.1 M. The instrument was programmed to add
the nucleotide monomers in the desired order, with the synthesis
occurring in the 3' to 5' direction. The synthesis cycle consisted
of a detritylation step, a coupling step (phosphoramidite monomer
plus 1H-tetrazole), a capping step, a sulfurization step, and a
final capping step.
[0195] Oligonucleotides containing phosphodiester linkages (e.g.,
6-12)were synthesized on a Perseptive Biosystems Expedite 8909
automated DNA synthesizer. The manufacturer's protocol for 15 umol
phosphodiester DNA was used with the following changes: 1.6 ml of
3% dichloroacetic acid in dichloromethane over 2.5 min was used for
the detritylation step; and 3.0 ml of oxidation reagent over 1.1
min followed by a 1.0 ml delivery over 1.0 min was used for the
oxidation step. The nucleoside phosphoramidite monomers were
dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile to a concentration of 0.1 M.
The instrument was programmed to add the nucleotide monomers in the
desired order, with the synthesis occurring in the 3' to 5'
direction. The synthesis cycle consisted of a detritylation step, a
coupling step (phosphoramidite monomer plus 1H-tetrazole), a
capping step, an oxidation step, and a final capping step.
[0196] IMOs were purified by RP-HPLC on a Polymer Labs PLRP-S
column using an increasing gradient of acetonitrile in 0.1 M
triethylammonium acetate. The purified IMOs were concentrated to
dryness, the 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl group was removed with 80%
aqueous acetic acid, and then the compound was precipitated two
times from 0.6 M aqueous sodium acetate/pH 5.0 with 3 volumes of
isopropanol. The IMOs were dissolved in Milli Q water and the yield
was determined from the absorbance at 260 nm. Finally, the IMOs
were lyophilized to a powder.
[0197] The IMOs were characterized by capillary gel
electrophoresis, electrospray mass spectrometry, and RP-HPLC to
confirm composition and purity. An endotoxin content assay (LAL
assay, Bio Whittaker) was also conducted, showing endotoxin levels
were <5 EU/mg IMO.
[0198] Table 2 lists names of various oligonucleotides and their
sequences. The core trimer is underlined in those oligonucleotides
having a core 5'-TCG-3' or 5'-UCG-3' trimer. Oligonucleotides
listed in this table have phosphorothioate-linked backbones unless
otherwise noted.
2TABLE 2 Name Sequence Comments 6-1 5'-TCGTCG-3' 6-2 5'-TCGTTT-3'
6-3 5'-TTCGTT-3' 6-4 5'-TTTCGT-3' 6-5 5'-TTTTCG-3' 6-6 5'-TCGAGA-3'
6-7 5'-ATCGAT-3' 6-8 5'-GTCGAC-3' 6-9 5'-GTCGTT-3' 6-10
5'-TCGCGA-3' 6-11 5'-CGATCG-3' 6-12 5'-TCGTCG-3' phosphodiester
linkages 6-13 5'-ACGTTT-3' 6-14 5'-CCGTTT-3' 6-15 5'-GCGTTT-3' 6-16
5'-AACGTT-3' 6-17 5'-GACGTT-3' 6-18 5'-TCCGGA-3' 6-19 5'-GAGCTT-3'
6-20 5'-TCCTTT-3' 6-21 5'-UCGTTT-3' U = 2'-deoxyuridine 6-22
5'-TZ.sub.1GTTT-3' Z.sub.1 = 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine 6-23
5'-TZ.sub.1GTTT-3' Z.sub.1 = N4-ethyl-2'-deoxycytidine 6-24
5'-TCZ.sub.1TTT-3' Z.sub.1 = 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanidine 6-25
5'-AATCGT-3' 5-1 5'-TCGTC-3' 5-2 5'-TCGTT-3' 5-3 5'-TTCGT-3' 4-1
5'-TCGT-3' 3-1 5'-TCG-3'
Example 2
[0199] Preparation of Biodegradable Microcarriers
[0200] Cationic poly(lactic acid, glycolic acid) microspheres
(cPLGA) were prepared as follows. 0.875 g of poly
(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) 50:50 polymer with an intrinsic
viscosity of 0.41 dl/g (0.1%, chloroform, 25.degree. C.) was
dissolved in 7.875 g of methylene chloride at 10% w/w
concentration, along with 0.3 g of DOTAP. The clear organic phase
was then emulsified into 500 ml of PVA aqueous solution (0.35% w/v)
by homogenization at 4000 rpm for 30 minutes at room temperature
using a laboratory mixer (Silverson L4R, Silverson Instruments).
System temperature was then raised to 40.degree. C. by circulating
hot water through the jacket of the mixing vessel. Simultaneously,
the stirring rate was reduced to 1500 rpm, and these conditions
were maintained for 2 hours to extract and evaporate methylene
chloride. The microsphere suspension was allowed to cool down to
room temperature with the help of circulating cold water.
[0201] Microparticles were separated by centrifugation at 8000 rpm
for 10 minutes at room temperature (Beckman Instruments) and
resuspended in deionized water by gentle bath sonication. The
centrifugal wash was repeated two additional times to remove excess
PVA from the particle surface. Final centrifugal pellets of
particles were suspended in approximately 10 ml of water, and
lyophilized overnight. The dried cationic microsphere powder was
characterized for size and surface charge: mean size (number
weighted, .mu.)=1.4; zeta potential (mV)=32.4.
[0202] Unmodified poly(lactic acid, glycolic acid) biodegradable
microspheres (umPLGA) were synthesized, rinsed and dried as
described above, except the 0.3 g of DOTAP was omitted. The dried
microsphere powder was characterized for size and surface charge:
mean size (number weighted, .mu.)=1.1; zeta potential
(mV)=-18.1.
Example 3
[0203] Immunomodulation with Complexes of Hexameric IMO and MC
[0204] Hexameric oligonucleotides were tested for immunomodulatory
activity alone and complexed with lactic acid/glycolic acid
copolymer microcarrier beads using a human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (hPBMC) assay. Peripheral blood was collected
from healthy volunteers by venipuncture using heparinized syringes.
Blood was layered onto a FICOLL.RTM. (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech)
cushion and centrifuged. hPBMCs, located at the FICOLL.RTM.
interface, were collected, then washed twice with cold phosphate
buffered saline (PBS). The cells were resuspended and cultured in
48 well plates at 2.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL at 37.degree. C. in
RPMI 1640 with 10% heat-inactivated human AB serum plus 50 units/mL
penicillin, 50 82 g/mL streptomycin, 300 .mu.g/mL glutamine, 1 mM
sodium pyruvate, and 1.times.MEM non-essential amino acids
(NEAA).
[0205] Oligonucleotides were tested as single agents, or in
combination with PLGA microspheres (unmodified or cationic). All
oligonucleotides contained 100% phosphorothioate linkages and were
tested at 20 .mu.g/ml. The PLGA microcarriers were used at 250
.mu.g/ml. When oligos were tested with PLGA microcarriers, the
oligo and the microcarriers were added at the same time to the
culture. The cells were cultured in the in the presence of test
samples for 24 hours, then cell-free medium was collected from each
well and assayed for IFN-.gamma. and IFN-.alpha. concentration. Two
different oligonucleotides were used as controls: a first
oligonucleotide known to have immunostimulatory activity (a 22 mer
oligonucleotide containing an ISS ("ISS+,"
5'-TGACTGTGAACGTTCGAGATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO:2)) and a second
oligonucleotide of similar sequence but lacking immunostimulatory
activity ("ISS-," 5'-TGACTGTGAACCTTAGAGATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO:1)). SAC
(PANSORBIN.RTM. CalBiochem, 1/5000 dilution) and a untreated
culture were used as additional positive and negative controls,
respectively. SAC contains Staph. aureus (Cowan I) cell material.
All samples were assayed in duplicate.
[0206] IFN-.gamma. and IFN-.alpha. were assayed using
CYTOSCREEN.TM. ELISA kits from BioSource International, Inc.,
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
[0207] In the human PBMC assay, background levels of IFN-.gamma.
can vary, even significantly, with the donor. Levels of
IFN-.alpha., however, demonstrate a generally stable pattern of
activation and routinely exhibit low background levels under
unstimulated conditions.
[0208] Three hexameric oligonucleotides were tested: 6-1
(5'-TCGTCG-3'), 6-16 (5'-AACGTT-340 ), and 6-7 (5'-ATCGAT-3').
Table 3 shows the assay results. Results are shown as picograms per
milliliter (pg/mL) of interferon-gamma (IFN-.gamma.) or
interferon-alpha (IFN-.alpha.). Because of variability between
assays using PBMC from different human donors, results are shown
for assays using different donor cells (donors 28033 and 28034) and
as a mean.
[0209] As shown in Table 3, neither PLGA (cationic or unmodified)
nor any of hexameric oligonucleotides had significant activity
alone. However, hexameric oligonucleotides 6-1 and 6-7 were active
when used in combination with cationic PLGA. Cationic PLGA will
adsorb oligonucleotides by electrostatic bonding, creating an
oligonucleotide/microcarrier complex, while unmodified PGLA will
not. 6-1 and 6-7 have a common motif of 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3',
where the oligonucleotide is a hexamer and X.sub.1 is 0 or 1
nucleotide and X.sub.2 is 2-3 nucleotides. Interestingly, contrary
to the teaching of Liang et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 98(5):119-29,
1996) that (TCG).sub.3 is a minimal stimulatory element, 6-1,
(TCG).sub.2, exhibited significant immunomodulatory activity when
administered in the form of a complex with a microcarrier.
[0210] 6-16, which contains a CG but no TCG, was found to induce
IFN-.alpha. in one of the two donors in this experiment when used
in combination with cationic PLGA. IMOs with less optimal motifs
show more variability among donors.
3 TABLE 3 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha. (pg/ml) Sample 28033
28034 Mean 28033 28034 Mean SAC 1179 2000 1589 50 969 510 untreated
0 3 2 0 18 9 ISS+ 99 223 161 28 106 67 ISS- 3 8 5 0 31 15 6-1 0 4 2
0 40 20 6-16 0 3 2 3 48 26 6-7 0 3 2 8 22 15 cPLGA 13 6 10 6 50 28
ISS+/cPLGA 399 387 398 2000 1496 1748 ISS-/cPLGA 9 10 9 0 21 11
6-1/cPLGA 332 544 438 1074 2000 1537 6-16/cPLGA 18 30 24 15 1875
945 6-7/cPLGA 205 245 225 950 2000 1475 umPLGA 4 10 7 0 308 154
ISS+/umPLGA 38 143 90 31 199 115 ISS-/umPLGA 18 13 15 0 32 16
6-1/umPLGA 7 17 12 0 39 20 6-16/umPLGA 5 12 9 0 53 26 6-7/umPLGA 4
7 6 0 49 24
Example 4
[0211] Immunomodulation with Complexes of MC and Hexameric or
Pentameric IMO
[0212] Additional hexameric and pentameric oligonucleotides were
tested for immunomodulatory activity in the PBMC assay.
Oligonucleotides 6-6 (5'-TCGAGA-3'), 6-8 (5'-GTCGAC-3'), 6-9
(5'-GTCGTT-3'), 6-2 (5'-TCGTTT-3'), 6-3 (5'-TTCGTT-3'), 6-4
(5'-TTTCGT-3'), 5-1 (5'-TCGTC-3'), and 5-2 (5'-TCGTT-3') were
tested alone or in combination with cationic PLGA as described in
Example 3 except that the oligos and PLGA were premixed for 15
minutes room temperature before addition to the cultures. The test
articles were assayed using PBMC isolated from donors 28044 and
28045.
[0213] As shown in Table 4, oligonucleotides shorter than seven
nucleotides had no activity when given alone. However, when
co-administered with cPLGA to form oligonucleotide/MC complexes,
oligonucleotides fitting the consensus sequence
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3', where X.sub.1 is zero or one nucleotides,
X.sub.2 is zero to three nucleotides, and the oligo is a pentamer
or a hexamer, had immunomodulatory activity.
4 TABLE 4 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha. (pg/ml) Sample 28044
28045 Mean 28044 28045 Mean untreated 8 0 4 0 0 0 ISS+ 2180 669
1425 401 39 220 ISS- 410 51 231 0 0 0 SAC 2040 1136 1588 393 43 218
6-6 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-8 6 0 3 0 0 0 6-9 6 0 3 0 0 0 6-2 30 0 15 0 0 0
6-4 13 0 6 0 0 0 6-3 6 0 3 0 0 0 5-1 6 7 6 0 0 0 5-2 4 0 2 0 0 0
cPLGA 46 148 97 2 0 1 ISS+/cPLGA 3382 468 1925 587 171 379
ISS-/cPLGA 147 115 131 0 0 0 6-6/cPLGA 606 128 367 2501 35 1268
6-8/cPLGA 679 371 525 2455 97 1276 6-9/cPLGA 2492 1669 2080 3347
455 1901 6-2/cPLGA 3438 1848 2643 4978 837 2908 6-4/cPLGA 136 49 93
48 0 24 6-3/cPLGA 2057 1388 1722 2073 276 1175 5-1/cPLGA 1294 864
1079 3668 180 1924 5-2/cPLGA 2040 1136 1588 393 43 218
Example 5
[0214] Immunomodulation with Complexes of MC and Hexameric or
Pentameric IMO
[0215] The immunomodulatory activity of the oligonucleotides used
in Examples 3 and 4 was confirmed with the human PBMC assay using
PBMCs from an additional four donors (donors 28051-28054).
Oligonucleotides were tested alone or in combination with cationic
PLGA as described in Example 3, except that 96 well plates were
used instead of 48 well plates and the oligonucleotides were
premixed with the cationic microspheres at room temperature for 15
minutes before they were added to the culture, rather than being
added simultaneously to the culture. Results are shown in Table
5.
[0216] Consistent with the results of Examples 3 and 4,
oligonucleotides that contain the consensus sequence,
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3', where the oligonucleotide is a hexamer or
pentamer and X.sub.1 is 0-1 nucleotides and X.sub.2 is 2-3
nucleotides, were highly active when delivered as IMO/MC complexes,
while they were inactive when delivered alone (6-6, 6-1, 6-7, 6-8,
6-9, 6-2, 6-3, 5-1, and 5-2). Oligonucleotides 6-16 and 6-4 do not
fit this consensus sequence, and exhibited variable activity in the
assay.
5 TABLE 5 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha. (pg/ml) Sample 28051
28052 28053 28054 Mean 28051 28052 28053 28054 Mean Untreated 17 1
1 10 7 4 2 2 15 6 SAC 380 688 159 73 325 2246 364 1129 1029 1192
ISS+ 66 20 72 23 45 12 28 12 12 16 ISS- 5 2 3 2 3 0 3 1 5 2 6-6 2 2
1 2 2 1 4 0 10 4 6-1 2 3 1 2 2 0 2 1 4 2 6-16 1 2 2 8 3 2 1 1 2 2
6-7 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 4 1 2 6-8 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 6 0 2 6-9 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 6
0 2 6-2 1 0 3 1 1 0 2 10 0 3 6-4 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 11 0 3 6-3 1 0 5 0 2
0 5 5 0 3 5-1 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 1 1 5-2 1 0 0 1 0 1 5 0 2 2 cPLGA 59
59 3 211 83 22 5 1 1111 285 ISS+/cPLGA 2187 414 181 206 747 1127
419 305 515 591 ISS-/cPLGA 47 42 30 17 34 1 3 1 2 2 6-6/cPLGA 182
196 92 908 345 1480 35 336 1034 721 6-1/cPLGA 619 334 274 315 386
2352 887 991 2174 1601 6-16/cPLGA 284 95 30 135 136 643 7 16 4 168
6-7/cPLGA 2000 278 284 600 790 2711 425 728 1972 1459 6-8/cPLGA
1168 208 229 308 478 1936 138 522 966 891 6-9/cPLGA 2307 317 212
629 866 1805 386 844 1761 1199 6-2/cPLGA 984 179 138 327 407 2255
536 1186 2541 1629 6-4/cPLGA 318 41 13 72 111 580 6 11 37 158
6-3/cPLGA 1448 162 114 655 595 2066 165 586 1130 987 5-1/cPLGA 1609
146 122 273 538 1833 121 552 887 848 5-2/cPLGA 1500 365 165 2000
1008 1585 174 1285 1133 1044
Example 6
[0217] Immunomodulation with Complexes of MC and Trimeric,
Quatrameric, Pentameric and Hexameric Oligonucleotides
[0218] Additional oligonucleotides were tested for immunomodulatory
activity in the human PBMC assay. Oligonucleotides were tested
alone or in combination with cPLGA as described in Example 5.
[0219] As shown in Table 6, oligonucleotides shorter than seven
nucleotides did not have significant activity when given alone.
Oligonucleotides conforming to the consensus sequence,
5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3', where the oligonucleotide is a hexamer and
X.sub.1 is 0 and X.sub.2 is 3 nucleotides, were highly active when
delivered as IMO/MC complexes (6-2, 6-12). 6-12, a phosphodiester
IMO with the sequence 5'-TCGTCG-3', had significant activity when
delivered as an IMO/MC complex, demonstrating that the IMO can
contain either phosphodiester or phosphorothioate linkages.
Oligonucleotides 6-13, 6-14, and 6-15, which contain a CG but not a
TCG, were inactive in the PBMC assay when delivered alone or as an
oligonucleotide/MC complex. 4-1, a quadramer with the sequence
5'-TCGT-3', and 3-1, a trimer with the sequence 5'-TCG-3', were
active in two out of four donors, suggesting that hexamers and
pentamers with the consensus sequence are more optimal IMOs.
6 TABLE 6 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha. (pg/ml) Sample 28075
28076 28077 28078 Mean 28075 28076 28077 28078 Mean Untreated 8 14
11 13 12 12 41 256 38 87 SAC 1118 386 71 1607 796 200 2017 113 498
707 ISS+ 48 76 15 72 53 0 73 54 94 55 ISS- 15 15 12 16 15 41 23 54
27 36 6-12 8 13 13 18 13 5 3 187 181 94 6-2 8 18 5 14 11 36 6 66
101 53 6-13 8 225 18 15 67 10 39 28 34 28 6-14 11 12 14 11 12 15 51
9 230 76 6-15 11 12 15 11 13 36 9 35 36 29 4-1 9 12 14 14 12 0 3 0
10 3 3-1 7 11 12 15 11 0 0 4 11 4 cPLGA 16 22 16 14 17 0 2 2 9 4
ISS+/cPLGA 389 732 80 73 318 30 274 48 66 104 ISS-/cPLGA 18 13 12
18 15 21 6 8 17 13 6-12/cPLGA 159 1047 46 40 323 119 1149 123 555
486 6-2/cPLGA 731 1079 484 93 597 525 1417 687 1020 912 6-13/cPLGA
12 15 12 15 14 83 17 16 11 32 6-14/cPLGA 11 21 23 19 19 42 13 3 36
24 6-15/cPLGA 11 15 13 17 14 26 7 20 2 14 4-1/cPLGA 14 159 17 19 52
30 135 15 196 94 3-1/cPLGA 14 26 14 27 20 21 51 5 193 67
[0220] Additional oligonucleotides were tested using hPBMCs from
volunteers 154-157 using the same assay. Results, which are shown
in Table 7, confirm the activity of oligonucleotides fitting the
formula 5'-X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2-3', where the oligonucleotide is a 3-6
mer, X.sub.1 is zero or one nucleotide and and X.sub.2 is zero to
three nucleotides. Interestingly, oligonucleotides 6-17 and 6-18
were largely inactive in this assay, in contrast to the teachings
of International Patent Application No. 98/52962.
7 TABLE 7 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha. (pg/ml) Sample 154 155
156 157 Mean 154 155 156 157 Mean Untreated 0 0 14 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
SAC 2689 117 914 4000 1930 155 19 261 119 139 ISS+ 211 131 86 840
317 31 0 15 0 12 ISS- 0 17 58 98 43 0 0 0 0 0 6-1 0 0 11 0 3 0 0 0
0 0 6-5 0 0 11 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6-17 0 0 16 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 6-18 0 0 15
0 4 0 0 0 0 0 6-20 0 0 13 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6-10 0 0 15 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
6-11 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 cPLGA 14 0 18 111 36 0 0 0 0 0 ISS+/cPLGA
662 534 689 4000 1471 151 62 240 137 148 ISS-/cPLGA 21 22 36 97 44
0 0 25 0 6 6-1/cPLGA 1253 883 487 0 656 513 513 754 467 562
6-5/cPLGA 28 25 38 31 31 0 0 0 0 0 6-17/cPLGA 86 42 34 175 84 58 21
0 0 20 6-18/cPLGA 43 32 24 182 70 0 0 0 0 0 6-20/cPLGA 0 0 19 46 16
0 0 0 0 0 6-10/cPLGA 824 400 199 4000 1356 340 638 1099 450 632
6-11/cPLGA 94 14 0 382 123 23 0 0 22 11
Example
[0221] Immunomodulation with Complexes of MC and Pentameric and
Hexameric Oligonucleotides
[0222] Additional oligonucleotides, some incorporating modified
bases, were tested for immunomodulatory activity in the human PBMC
assay. Oligonucleotides were tested alone or in combination with
cPLGA as described in Example 5. The oligonucleotides were premixed
with the cationic PLGA microspheres for 15 minutes at room
temperature at concentrations of 20 .mu.g/ml and 100 .mu.g/ml,
respectively.
[0223] As shown in Table 8, hexameric phosphorothioate
oligonucleotides containing modified bases were tested, along with
6-2 (5'-TCGTTT-3', positive hexamer) and 6-20 (5'-TCCTTT-3',
negative hexamer control). When combined with cPLGA, 6-21 and 6-24
were active. In addition, 6-25, a hexamer fitting the consensus
motife X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2, where X.sub.1 is two nucleotides and
X.sub.2 is one nucleotide, was also active in combination with
cPLGA.
[0224] Table 8 also shows that pentameric oligonucleotides fitting
the consensus sequence X.sub.1TCGX.sub.2, where X.sub.1 is zero or
one nucleotide and X.sub.2 is one to two nucleotides, are active in
combination with cPLGA. Oligonucleotides 5-2 and 5-3 were each
active in two of four donors when combined with cPLGA.
8 TABLE 8 IFN-.gamma. (pg/ml) IFN-.alpha.(pg/ml) Sample 28115 28116
28117 28118 Mean 28115 28116 28117 28118 Mean Untreated 3 8 43 2 14
4 0 0 0 1 SAC 440 827 3494 2912 1918 0 11 353 78 111 ISS+ 156 125
497 46 206 54 29 17 0 25 ISS- 20 22 334 14 98 0 0 0 0 0 6-2 3 0 5 0
2 0 0 0 0 0 6-20 6 3 9 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 6-21 27 0 7 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 6-22
7 0 17 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 6-24 3 0 16 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 6-25 2 15 11 0 7 7 0
0 0 2 5-2 8 4 8 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5-3 26 4 17 0 12 10 0 0 0 3 cPLGA 66
14 99 12 48 85 11 158 75 82 ISS+/cPLGA 2191 351 692 40 819 404 89
170 64 182 ISS-/cPLGA 62 90 698 25 219 0 0 0 0 0 6-2/cPLGA 2538 153
924 75 923 2153 243 4000 593 1747 6-20/cPLGA 64 23 32 19 35 272 25
39 76 103 6-21/cPLGA 1488 25 711 60 571 1554 56 650 303 641
6-22/cPLGA 162 14 187 38 100 199 41 79 93 103 6-24/cPLGA 2503 153
664 85 851 4000 453 4000 896 2337 6-25/cPLGA 2357 143 1013 55 892
2160 132 516 190 750 5-2/cPLGA 1376 40 320 25 440 892 64 296 429
420 5-3/cPLGA 687 6 139 20 213 274 0 86 97 114
[0225] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity
and understanding, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that certain changes and modifications may be practiced. Therefore,
descriptions and examples should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention, which is delineated by the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References