CpG DNA

CpG DNA is a synthetic oligonucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine (CpG) motifs that mimic bacterial and viral DNA. It acts as a potent agonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an endosomal receptor expressed primarily in plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B cells. Activation of TLR9 induces an innate immune response characterized by the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IFN-alpha, IL-12, and TNF-alpha) and the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, which subsequently promotes a Th1-biased adaptive immune response. Dalian University has evaluated CpG DNA in clinical trials for hepatocellular carcinoma, specifically as an adjuvant therapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) to stimulate anti-tumor immunity following local tumor destruction.

Other names

CpG oligonucleotideCpG ODNunmethylated CpG DNA