The role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases

Bacterial DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs can activate immune cells to release proinflammatory cytokines. Here, the role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases with a focus on arthritis is discussed. Our studies demonstrate that the intraarticular injection of bacterial DNA and oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) induced arthritis. The induction of arthritis involves the role of macrophages over other cells such as neutrophils, NK cells, and lymphocytes. TNF-alpha and TNFRI play an important role in the development of arthritis. NF-kappa B also plays a critical regulatory role in arthritis. Systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with antibiotic therapy, has beneficial effects on the course and the outcome of bacterial arthritis. Thus, future treatment strategies for bacterial arthritis should include attempts to minimizing bacterial growth while blocking the proinflammatory effects of the bacterial DNA. Significant therapeutic efficiency has also been shown by CpG ODN-mediated Th1 immune activation in mouse models of cancer, infectious disease, and allergy/asthma.