STRUCTURE AND USE OF 5 PHOSPHATE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES Abstract Oligonucleotides bearing free, uncapped 5 phosphate group(s) are recognized by RIG-I, leading to the induction of type I IFN, IL- 18 and IL- 1 production. Bacterial RNA s also induces type I IFN production. 5 phosphate oligonucleotides and bacterial RNA can be used for inducing an anti-viral response or an anti-bacterial response, in particular, type I IFN and/or IL-18and/or IL-16 production, in vitro and in vivo and for treating various disorders and diseases such as viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, tumors, allergies, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies and 10 immunosuppression. Single-stranded 5 triphosphate RNA can be used for inducing an anti-viral response, an anti-bacterial response, or an anti-tumor response, in particular, type I IFN and/or IL- 18 and/or IL- 1 production, in a target cell-specific manner.
