Immunization-free methods for treating antigen-stimulated inflammation in a mammalian host and shifting the host's antigen immune responsiveness to a th1 phenotype

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for preventing or reducing antigen-stimulated, granulocytemediated inflammation in tissue of an antigen-sensitized mammal host by delivering an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide to the host. In addition, methods for using the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides to boost a mammal host's immune responsiveness to a sensitizing antigen (without immunization of the host by the antigen) and shifting the host's immune responsiveness to a Th1 phenotype to achieve various therapeutic ends are provided. Kits for practicing the methods of the invention are also provided.

Description

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS[0001]This invention was made with Government support under Grant No. AI37350, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government may have certain rights in this invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to methods and oligonucleotide compositions for use in reducing, or suppressing granulocyte-mediated inflammation in a host tissue and in modulating the host's immune responsiveness to an antigen.HISTORY OF THE RELATED ART[0003]In vertebrates, endothelial cell adhesion by granulocytes (eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils and mast cells) is followed by the release of inflammatory mediators, such as leukotrienes, major basic protein and histamine. In susceptible individuals, the resulting inflammation can damage affected host tissues.[0004]The most common pathologic inflammatory condition is asthma, which is characterized by marked eosinophil infiltration into respiratory airways, followed by inflammation-induced tissue damage....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Surprisingly, ISS-ODN have anti-inflammatory properties in addition to their immunostimulatory properties. ISS-ODN are therefore useful in the treatment and prevention of inflammation associated with antigen-stimulated granulocyte infiltration of tissue, such as occurs in the respiratory passages of asthmatics during an asthma attack. Advantageously, delivery of ISS-ODN according to the invention suppresses antigen-stimulated granulocyte infiltration into host tissue even before the ISS-ODN affect the host's immune response to the antigen. Thus, the invention provides an antigen-independent method to reduce antigen-stimulated inflammation by suppressing cellular adhesion, thereby avoiding the release of inflammatory mediators which would be stimulated through granulocyte-binding of endothelial cells.

[0008]An example of a therapeutic application for the invention is in the control of asthma, whereby the ISS-ODN are delivered into pulmonary tissue intranasally or by systemic routes. In asthmatics, eosinophil infiltration of lung tissue occurs mainly during the late phase of an allergic response to a respiratory allergen. Canonical immunotherapy can modulate the host immune response to the allergen and eventually stem the tide of eosinophils into the host airways. However, practice of the invention suppresses eosinophil infiltration of host airways well before the host immune system responds to the respiratory allergen, thereby providing a form of protection against the airway narrowing and respiratory tissue damage which characterize an acute asthma attack.

[0009]In another aspect, the invention provides means to shift a present host cellular immune response to an antigen away from a Th2 phenotype and into a Th1 phenotype. To this end. ISS-ODN are delivered by any route through which antigen-sensitized host tissues will be contacted with the ISS-ODN. ISS-ODN administered in this fashion boost both humoral (antibody and cellular (Th1 type) immune responses of the host. Unlike canonical immunotherapy, immunity is stimulated by this method of the invention even when no additional antigen is introduced into the host. Thus, use of the method to boost the immune responsiveness of a host to subsequent challenge by a sensitizing antigen without immunization avoids the risk of immunization-induced anaphylaxis, suppresses IgE production in response to the antigen challenge and eliminates the need to identify the sensitizing antigen for use in immunization. An especially advantageous use for this aspect of the invention is treatment of localized allergic responses in target tissues where the allergens enter the body, such as the skin and mucosa.

[0011]The shift to a Th1 phenotype achieved according to the invention is accompanied by increased secretion of IFN α, β, and γ, as well as IL-12 and IL-18. Each of these cytokines enhance the host's immune defenses against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses. Thus, the invention encompasses delivery of ISS-ODN to a host to combat pathogenic infection.

Problems solved by technology

In susceptible individuals, the resulting inflammation can damage affected host tissues.

However, although effective in stimulating production of neutralizing antibodies, canonical immunization does not effectively stimulate longer term cellular immunity.

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