The genomes of bacterial and viral DNA contain a much higher frequency of unmethylated
CpG dinucleotides than those of vertebrates. This difference in genome structure allows the
innate immune system of vertebrates to distinguish bacterial or viral DNA from self-DNA, and
consequently to perceive a 'danger signal'when bacterial or viral DNA is encountered.
Multiple sources of evidence suggest that CpG motifs, including bacterial DNA and CpG
ODNs (synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG), are capable of …