Several types of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) have been recently characterized. In mice, type A(D) CpG-ODNs primarily stimulate macrophages and dendritic cells, but fail to stimulate B cells. On the contrary, type B(K) CpG-ODNs are excellent B cell activators. Type C CpG-ODNs combine features of both types A(D) and B(K) CpG-ODNs. Despite cell type preferences, all CpG-ODNs require the presence of TLR9 for activation. In this study, we show that a subset of B cells from lupus mice responds to type A(D) CpG-ODN stimulation vigorously and directly with increased CD25 and CD86 expression and IL-10 secretion. Furthermore, these CpG-ODNs induce high surface IgM expression and promote 50- to 100-fold higher IgM and IgG3 secretion in lupus B cells than in controls. This response is similar to that seen with bacterial DNA stimulation of B cells. Type A(D)-responsive cells are enriched within lupus B cells with the marginal zone (MZ) phenotype. These cells are at least twice more numerous in lupus mice than in controls. The ability of lupus B cells to respond to type A(D) CpG-ODN stimulation is not due to differential TLR9 expression. Therefore, type A(D) CpG-ODNs may contribute to the lupus pathogenesis by inducing MZ-B cell activation, costimulatory molecule expression, and polyclonal Ig secretion. Through increased IL-10 secretion, MZ-B cells may also modify the activity of other cell types, particularly dendritic cells and macrophages.

Bacterial DNA and CpG-oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) are powerful B cell activators, inducing apoptosis protection, cell cycle entry, proliferation, costimulatory molecule expression, immunoglobulin (Ig) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion. However, proximal events in B cell activation by ODN are only partially characterized, including the translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. In this paper, we provide evidence that CpG-ODNinduced cell cycle entry and apoptosis protection are blocked by SN50 or gliotoxin and thus require NF-κB activation. NF-κB activation occurred within 30 minutes of stimulation of murine B cells with a phosphorothioate (S) CpG-ODN and persisted for up to 40 hours, with p50, p65, and c-Rel as the major components. Similar to other NF-κB inducers, CpG-ODN caused an early IκBα and IκBβ degradation plus cleavage of the p50 precursor and subsequent NF-κB nuclear translocation. A group of closely related S-ODN, which specifically blocked CpG-induced B cell activation at submicromolar concentrations, also prevented NF-κB DNA binding and transcriptional activation. These inhibitory S-ODN differed from stimulatory S-ODN by having 2-3 G substitutions in the central motif. As inhibitory S-ODN did not directly interfere with the NF-κB DNA binding but prevented CpG-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation of p50, p65, and c-Rel and blocked p105, IκBα , and IκBβ degradation, we concluded that their putative target must lie upstream of inhibitory kinase (IKK) activation.

Our immune defense depends on two specialized armed forces. The innate force acts as an alarm mechanism that senses changes in the microenvironment through the recognition of common microbial patterns by Toll-like receptors (TLR) and NOD proteins. It rapidly generates an inflammatory response aimed at neutralizing the intruder at the mucosal checkpoint. The innate arm also communicates this message with more specialized adaptive forces represented by pathogen-specific B cells and T cells. Interestingly, B cells also express some innate sensors, like TLR7 and TLR9, and may respond to bacterial hypomethylated CpG motifs and single-stranded RNA viruses. Intracellular nucleic acid sensing TLRs play an important role in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we describe recent achievements in the development of oligonucleotide—(ODN)-based inhibitors of TLR9 and/or TLR7 signaling. We categorize these novel therapeutics into Classes G, R, and B based on their cellular and molecular targets. Several short ODNs have already shown promise as pathway-specific therapeutics for animal lupus. We envision their future use in human SLE, microbial DNA-dependent sepsis, and in other autoinflammatory diseases.