Quick facts:
Ordering path: Order as Custom DNA
Oligo
Length: 18–30 bases
Modification: Phosphorothioate bonds
Scales: 100 nmol to large scale synthesis
Purification: Standard desalt; HPLC available upon request
Optional services: Custom preparative or analytical services available upon request, such as Na+ salt exchange, analytical RP-HPLC, endotoxin analysis, aliquot service, etc.
Enhancing the immune response
Originally described in the 1990s, synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) have been extensively studied as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response of vaccines [1]. By mimicking the immune-stimulatory effects of unmethylated bacterial or viral sequences, these synthetic oligos are potent in activating pattern recognition receptors (PRR), promoting cytokine secretion, and, as a result, mounting rapid responses to microbial pathogens.
Structure specific sequences correspond with distinct actions
So far 3 major classes of CpG ODNs have been identified, based on their structural and biological characteristics, and are designated Class A, Class B, and Class C (Table 1) [2]. Class A oligos, which feature a central palindromic CpG-containing phosphodiester (PO) structure followed by a phosphorothioate (PS) homopolymeric G-stretch, are robust inducers of interferon-α (IFN-α) production and dendritic cell maturation [3]. Class B oligos, in contrast, usually contain a full phosphorothioate (PS) backbone. These oligos also stimulate IFN-α production, but to a lesser extent. However, they strongly activate B cells [4]. Class C oligos combine the properties of Class A and B, and are characterized by their complete PS backbone and palindromic CpG-containing motifs.
All the CpG ODNs contain one or more unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in specific sequence contexts, which are readily recognized by mammalian cells as an indication of microbial invasion, due to the rarity of this structure in mammalian genomes [5].
Table 1. Structural and biological characteristics of the 3 major classes of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). PO = phosphodiester; PS = phosphorothioate.
| Class |
Structure |
Stimulation |
| |
|
B cells |
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells |
IFN-α |
| A |
Central palindromic PO backbone with PS ends |
Weak |
Strong |
Strong |
| B |
Linear, full PS |
Strong |
Strong |
Weak |
| C |
Palindromic motif, full PS |
Strong |
Intermediate |
Strong |
Immunotherapeutics for cancer
In addition to their roles in augmenting protective effects against infectious diseases, CpG ODNs have demonstrated potential in a wide variety of animal models as a novel immunotherapeutic reagent for the treatment of cancer [6]. Cancer immunotherapy has made tremendous progress in the past decade and numerous clinical trials are currently underway in various phases. Either used alone, or in combination with other therapeutic regimens, CpG ODNs mimic the natural Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 ligand and provoke the production of a whole array of signaling factors in a coordinated manner. These signaling events ultimately trigger the cascade of immune responses against cancer cells [7].
Species specificity
Interestingly, the CpG motifs appear to be species-specific. For example, the optimal mouse CpG motif is GACGTT, while that for use in human contexts is GTCGTT [8]. One of the frequently requested Class B CpG ODNs, CpG ODN 1826, is a well-defined murine TLR 9 agonist, and is thus widely used in rodent models [9]. This oligo is effective in eliciting mouse B cell proliferation, maturation of antigen-presenting cells, and a polarized Th1-type cell response [10]. CpG ODN 1826 contains 2 CpG dinucleotides, both flanked by -GA at the 5' end and -TT at the 3' end. Its backbone is fully phosphothioated, providing nuclease resistance, as opposed to the natural PO backbone found in bacterial or viral genomes.
Simple to order
Order these CpG ODNs directly through the IDT website as Custom DNA oligos, by simply providing their nucleotide sequences. Use an asterisk (*) notation inserted between bases within your sequence to denote the PS chemical modification. As examples, the aforementioned mouse stimulator CpG ODN 1826 and its human counterpart, CpG ODN 2006, can be ordered from the Custom DNA Oligos ordering page by providing the sequences as shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Ordering format for 2 popular CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing phosphorothioate (PS) bond modifications.
| Oligo name |
Species |
IDT ordering format (5' → 3') |
| CpG ODN 1826 |
Mouse |
T*C*C*A*T*G*A*C*G*T*T*C*C*T*G*A*C*G*T*T |
| CpG ODN 2006 |
Human |
T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T |
If you require any custom preparative or analytical service with the ODNs to be used in your experiment, such as endotoxin analysis or custom aliquot service, please use the IDT Help Request Form. For clinical applications, IDT offers GMP manufacturing services. Learn more.
You can also contact our scientific applications experts at applicationsupport@idtdna.com with questions regarding ODN use or to discuss your experimental design.