Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and use of those compounds in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of disease as well as in vitro uses. In particular, the compositions of the invention include immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides that incorporate a sequence-dependent immunostimulatory sequence motif. Specific modifications involving phosphate linkages, nucleotide analogs, adducts, and combinations thereof are provided. Compositions of the invention, which optionally can include an antigen, can be used alone or together with other treatments to stimulate or enhance an immune response. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for treating a subject having an infection, a cancer, an allergic condition, asthma, airway remodeling, or immunodeficiency. Immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides of the invention are believed to stimulate Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying and treating subjects having hepatitis C infections. In some instances, the subjects are those that are non-responsive to non-CpG therapy. Preferably, the subjects are treated with C class CpG immunostimulatory nucleic acids having a semi-soft backbone.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying and treating subjects having hepatitis C infections. In some instances, the subjects are those that are non-responsive to non-CpG therapy. Preferably, the subjects are treated with C class CpG immunostimulatory nucleic acids having semi-soft backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides containing a 5?TCG motif or a CG at or near the 5? end that are useful for stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and use of those compounds in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of disease as well as in vitro uses. In particular, the compositions of the invention include immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides that incorporate a sequence-dependent immunostimulatory sequence motif. Specific modifications involving phosphate linkages, nucleotide analogs, adducts, and combinations thereof are provided. Compositions of the invention, which optionally can include an antigen, can be used alone or together with other treatments to stimulate or enhance an immune response. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for treating a subject having an infection, a cancer, an allergic condition, asthma, airway remodeling, or immunodeficiency. Immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides of the invention are believed to stimulate Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8).

Abstract: Immunostimulatory polymers that contain certain sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and methods for the use of such immunostimulatory polymers and compositions containing such polymers are provided according to the invention. The sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and the polymers incorporating such motifs are potent and selective inducers of TLR7 and the TLR7-associated cytokine IFN-?.

Abstract: The invention pertains to murine TLR9 and related TLR9s which include murine-specific amino acids, as well as nucleic acids which encode those polypeptides. The present invention also includes fragments and biologically functional variants of the murine TLR9. The invention further relates to methods of using such murine and non-murine TLR9 nucleic acids and polypeptides, especially in methods for screening for agonists and antagonists of immunostimulatory CpG nucleic acids. Also included are murine TLR9 inhibitors which inhibit murine TLR9 activity by inhibiting the expression or function of murine TLR9. In a further aspect the present invention pertains to murine TLR7 and murine TLR8, as well as related TLR7 and TLR8 molecules which include murine-specific amino acids, as well as nucleic acids which encode those polypeptides. The present invention also includes fragments and biologically functional variants of the murine TLR7 and TLR8.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific C-Class semi-soft CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides that are useful for stimulating an immune response. In particular the oligonucleotides are useful for treating allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, cancer and infectious disease, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for the treatment of viral infection using a combination of anti-viral agents and TLR ligands. The invention also relates to screening assays, associated products, kits, and in vitro methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid-lipophilic conjugates and methods for modulating an immune response using the conjugates. The lipophilic moiety associated with an immunostimulatory nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunostimulatory RNA oligonucleotides (ORN). In particular the ORN have an immunostimulatory ORN motif directly or indirectly flanked by a 3? poly G motif and optionally a 5? poly-G motif. The invention also relates to methods including therapeutic methods and screening methods and related kits for use of the ORN.

Abstract: The invention provides immunostimulatory compositions and use of those compounds in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of disease as well as in vitro uses. In particular, the compositions of the invention include immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides that incorporate a sequence-dependent immunostimulatory sequence motif. Specific modifications involving phosphate linkages, nucleotide analogs, adducts, and combinations thereof are provided. Compositions of the invention, which optionally can include an antigen, can be used alone or together with other treatments to stimulate or enhance an immune response. Also provided are compositions and methods useful for treating a subject having an infection, a cancer, an allergic condition, asthma, airway remodeling, or immunodeficiency. Immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides of the invention are believed to stimulate Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8).

Abstract: Double-stranded short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) are modified to reduce or eliminate their immunostimulatory effect without significantly affecting their gene silencing effect. Modified siRNA include one or more 2? sugar modifications and, optionally, internucleotide linkages on the sense strand. Compositions containing the modified siRNA and methods of making and using the modified siRNA are disclosed. New and previously characterized siRNA can be synthesized to incorporate modifications according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid-lipophilic conjugates and methods for modulating an immune response using the conjugates. The lipophilic moiety associated with an immunostimulatory nucleic acid.

Abstract: Immunostimulatory single-stranded oligoribonucleotides (ssORN) with phosphodiester backbones induce TLR7-independent and MyD88-dependent immune activation. These immunostimulatory ssORN are useful to induce a ThI-like immune response in a subject, to induce an antigen-specific immune response in a subject, and to treat a subject having a cancer, an infectious disease, an allergic condition, or asthma.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunostimulatory nucleic acid compositions and methods of using the compositions. The T-rich nucleic acids contain poly T sequences and/or have greater than 25% T nucleotide residues. The TG nucleic acids have TG dinucleotides. The C-rich nucleic acids have at least one poly-C region and/ore greater than 50% c nucleotides. These immunostimulatory nucleic acids function in a similar manner to nucleic acids containing CpG motifs. The invention also encompasses preferred CpG nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific C-Class semi-soft CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides that are useful for stimulating an immune response. In particular the oligonucleotides are useful for treating allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, cancer and infectious disease, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific C-Class semi-soft CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides that are useful for stimulating an immune response. In particular the oligonucleotides are useful for treating allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, cancer and infectious disease, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C.