Enhancing vaccines with immune stimulatory CpG DNA.

Abstract

Certain vertebrate immune cells have evolved receptors that detect the presence of pathogen DNA based on its content of unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular base contexts. This 'CpG DNA' acts as a 'danger signal', triggering protective innate and acquired immune responses. The activity of CpG DNA can be mimicked with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides, which when added to a vaccine greatly boost the resulting immune response.