Use of nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotide as an adjuvant

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to adjuvants, and in particular to methods and products utilizing a synergistic combination of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) and a non-nucleic acid adjuvant. Such combinations of adjuvants may be used with an antigen or alone. The present invention also relates to methods and products utilizing immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) for induction of cellular immunity in infants.

1 - 98 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         99 . A method for maintaining suppression of a Th2 immune response in a subject, the method comprising: administering to a subject a first dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and administering to the subject a second dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-CG-3′, and wherein the second dose is administered from about 10 days to about 8 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the second dose is administered about 4 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the subject is a human.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the first and the second doses are administered by inhalation.  
     
     
         103 . A method for maintaining stimulation of a Th1 immune response in a subject, the method comprising: administering to a subject a first dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and administering to the subject a second dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-CG-3′, and wherein the second dose is administered from about 10 days to about 8 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the second dose is administered about 4 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the subject is a human.