Methods of ameliorating symptoms of herpes infection using immunomodulatory polynucleotide sequences

Abstract

The invention provides new methods of preventing and/or treating herpes virus infections, particularly reducing infection, one or more symptoms and recurrence of one or more symptoms of herpes simplex virus infection. A polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (an “ISS”) is administered to an individual which is at risk of being exposed to alphaherpesvirinae, has been exposed to alphaherpesvirinae or is infected with alphaherpesvirinae. The ISS is administered without any alphaherpesvirinae antigens. Administration of the ISS results in reduced incidence, recurrence, and severity of one or more symptoms of alphaherpesvirinae infection

1 . A method for preventing a symptom of herpes simplex virus infection in an individual at risk of exposure to herpes simplex virus, comprising administering a composition comprising a polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) to said individual, wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-C, G-3′, wherein a herpes simplex virus antigen is not administered in conjunction with administration of said composition, and wherein said composition is administered in an amount sufficient to prevent a symptom of herpes simplex virus infection.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-T, C, G-3′.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, G-3′ or 5′-purine, purine, C, G, pyrimidine, pyrimidine, C, C-3′.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the ISS comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5′-AACGTTCC-3′,5′-AACGTTCG-3′, 5′-GACGTTCC-3′ and 5′-GACGTTCG-3′.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-TGACTGTGAACGTTCGAGATGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1).  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ISS comprises the sequence 5′-TCGTCGAACGTTCGTTAACGTTCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:9).  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is a mammal.  
     
     
         8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the herpes simplex virus is a herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) virus.  
     
     
         10 - 35 . (canceled)