CpG-B DNA, Rabbit

ODN 2007 is a prototype of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) that is able to stimulate rabbit PBMC in vitro. The vertebrate immune system has evolved innate immune defense pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) motifs within bacterial DNA. Cellular activation by CpG motifs occurs via the Toll signal pathway. The Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9, CD289) appears to be a major component of the CpG-DNA receptor, acting by direct binding to CpG-DNA, which triggers the induction of cell signaling pathways including the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and NFκB, leading to stimulation of various cells of the immune system. The human TLR9 is expressed in B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC). Mice also express TLR9 in the myeloid compartment. Optimal sequences for activating TLR9 vary among species. Synthetic ODN contain CpG-DNA motifs mimicking the immunostimulatory effects of bacterial DNA and can, therefore, be used as immunoprotective agents, vaccine adjuvants and anti-allergic agents. CpG ODN also affects immune tolerance and autoimmunity. Different classes of CpG ODN are characterised each with distinct effects on the immune response: CpG-A ('D'-type), CpG-B ('K'-type), and CpG-C. This CpG is a 22-mer ODN that is able to modulate the immune response in rabbit PBMC in vitro. It has the following sequence: 5'-tcgtcgttgtcgttttgtcgtt-3'. Regular letters represent phosphorothioate linkage and bold letters represent CpG dinucleotides.