Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles (NANP) and Methods of Using Same for Controlled Immunomodulation

The technology is directed to compositions and methods of designing nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) composed entirely of DNA, RNA, or DNA and RNA to achieve desirable immunostimulation and decrease undesirable effects on the immune system by changing the composition of the NANP. Benefits of the invention include the desirable activation of the immune system by these particles to increase the efficacy of vaccines and immunotherapies.

In contrast, the NANPs with minimal to no recognition by the host's immune cells serve as an effective tool for the delivery of therapeutic payloads (small molecules and therapeutic oligonucleotides) without the induction of undesirable immunostimulatory side-effects. These NANPs are highly tunable and can assume various shapes, sizes, compositions, and immunostimulatory effects; additionally, they can be designed to carry a variety of pharmaceutically active payloads simultaneously.

Competitive Advantages:

• Reduces immunological side effects often seen with TNAS
• Overcomes the instability in the biological matrices often found with immunostimulatory oligonucleotides used for vaccines and immunotherapies
• Overcomes systemic toxicity and broad spectrum of immunostimulatory effects (i.e. induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines) which often occurs with current immunostimulatory oligonucleotides used for vaccines and immunotherapies
• Highly tunable and can assume various shapes, sizes, compositions, and immunostimulatory effects
• Can be designed to carry a variety of pharmaceutically active payloads simultaneously

Commercial Applications:

• Development of vaccines and drug delivery platforms