Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: September 18, 2014
From bugs to drugs: therapeutic immunomodulation with oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG sequences from bacterial
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. akrieg@coleypharma.com
Abstract:
Several types of immune cells possess pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that can distinguish prokaryotic DNA from vertebrate DNA by detecting unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular base contexts (CpG motifs). Bacterial DNA or synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing these CpG motifs activate both innate and acquired immune responses that have evolved to protect against intracellular infections. These T helper 1 (Th1)-like immune responses include activation of B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. CpG DNA-induced immune activation can protect against infection either alone or in combination with a vaccine and is effective in the immunotherapy of allergic diseases and cancer. Human clinical trials using such CpG DNA are currently underway.
Related Concept Videos
Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
The Central Dogma
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

