Production of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L1 Virus-Like Particles by Recombinant Lactobacillus casei Cells

Infections with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) are closely associated with the development of human cervical carcinoma, which is one of the most common causes of cancer death in women worldwide. At present, the most promising vaccine against HPV-16 infection is based on the L1 major capsid protein, which self-assembles in virus-like particles (VLPs). In this work, we used a lactose-inducible system based on the Lactobacillus casei lactose operon promoter (plac) for expression of the HPV-16 L1 protein in L. casei. Expression was confirmed by Western blotting, and an electron microscopy analysis of L. casei expressing L1 showed that the protein was able to self-assemble into VLPs intracellularly. The presence of conformational epitopes on the L. casei-produced VLPs was confirmed by immunofluorescence using the anti-HPV-16 VLP conformational antibody H16.V5. Moreover, sera from mice that were subcutaneously immunized with L. casei expressing L1 reacted with Spodoptera frugiperda-produced HPV-16 L1 VLPs, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The production of L1 VLPs by Lactobacillus opens the possibility for development of new live mucosal prophylactic vaccines.     

Nasal Immunization of Mice with Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Virus-Like Particles Elicits Neutralizing Antibodies in Mucosal Secretions

To specifically induce a mucosal antibody response to purified human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) virus-like particles (VLP), we immunized female BALB/c mice orally, intranasally, and/or parenterally and evaluated cholera toxin (CT) as a mucosal adjuvant. Anti-HPV16 VLP immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA titers in serum, saliva, and genital secretions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Systemic immunizations alone induced HPV16 VLP-specific IgG in serum and, to a lesser extent, in genital secretions but no secretory IgA. Oral immunization, even in the presence of CT, was inefficient. However, three nasal immunizations with 5 μg of VLP given at weekly intervals to anesthetized mice induced high (>10⁴) and long-lasting (>15 weeks) titers of anti-HPV16 VLP antibodies in all samples, including IgA and IgG in saliva and genital secretions. CT enhanced the VLP-specific antibody response 10-fold in serum and to a lesser extent in saliva and genital secretions. Nasal immunization of conscious mice compared to anesthetized mice was inefficient and correlated with the absence of uptake of a marker into the lung. However, a 1-μg VLP systemic priming followed by two 5-μg VLP intranasal boosts in conscious mice induced both HPV16 VLP-specific IgG and IgA in secretions, although the titers were lower than in anesthetized mice given three intranasal immunizations. Antibodies in serum, saliva, and genital secretions of immunized mice were strongly neutralizing in vitro (50% neutralization with ELISA titers of 65 to 125). The mucosal and systemic/mucosal HPV16 VLP immunization protocols that induced significant titers of neutralizing IgG and secretory IgA in mucosal secretions in mice may be relevant to genital HPV VLP-based human vaccine trials.     

Highly Efficient and Economical Baculovirus Expression System for Preparing Human Papillomavirus Type16 Virus-like Particle

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most importantagent of human primary cervical cancer, and the list ofmalignancies caused by or associated with HPV is stillgrowing. HPV has been detected in carcinomas of larynx,esophagus, oral cavity, nasal sinus, skin, …     

Target Cell Cyclophilins Facilitate Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Infection

Following attachment to primary receptor heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) particles undergo conformational changes affecting the major and minor capsid proteins, L1 and L2, respectively. This results in exposure of the L2 N-terminus, transfer to uptake receptors, and infectious internalization. Here, we report that target cell cyclophilins, peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases, are required for efficient HPV16 infection. Cell surface cyclophilin B (CyPB) facilitates conformational changes in capsid proteins, resulting in exposure of the L2 N-terminus. Inhibition of CyPB blocked HPV16 infection by inducing noninfectious internalization. Mutation of a putative CyP binding site present in HPV16 L2 yielded exposed L2 N-terminus in the absence of active CyP and bypassed the need for cell surface CyPB. However, this mutant was still sensitive to CyP inhibition and required CyP for completion of infection, probably after internalization. Taken together, these data suggest that CyP is required during two distinct steps of HPV16 infection. Identification of cell surface CyPB will facilitate the study of the complex events preceding internalization and adds a putative drug target for prevention of HPV–induced diseases.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型假病毒中和实验的建立和初步应用

探讨了应用多质粒磷酸钙共转染方法在293FT细胞中生产HPV16(human papillomavirus type 16)假病毒。蛋白印迹检测显示在转染后细胞的裂解上清中具有很好的L1蛋白活性,通过透射电镜可观察到形态与天然病毒粒子相似的假病毒颗粒。对293FT细胞的感染实验显示,该假病毒可有效将EGFP报告质粒导入靶细胞中进行表达,经测定其滴度约为2×107TU/mL。通过与4株HPV16对照单抗的中和实验证明该假病毒可有效应用于中和实验。应用该方法从18株抗HPV16L1的单克隆抗体中鉴定获得了2株中和单抗3D10、PD1。所建立的HPV16假病毒生产和中和实验方法具有快速高效、低成本和易于检测的优点,适于进行较大规模应用,为快速准确鉴定HPV16中和单抗和候选疫苗的免疫保护效果提供了有效手段。     

Tissue-Spanning Redox Gradient-Dependent Assembly of Native Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Virions

Papillomavirus capsids are composed of 72 pentamers reinforced through inter- and intrapentameric disulfide bonds. Recent research suggests that virus-like particles and pseudovirions (PsV) can undergo a redox-dependent conformational change involving disulfide interactions. We present here evidence that native virions exploit a tissue-spanning redox gradient that facilitates assembly events in the context of the complete papillomavirus life cycle. DNA encapsidation and infectivity titers are redox dependent in that they can be temporally modulated via treatment of organotypic cultures with oxidized glutathione. These data provide evidence that papillomavirus assembly and maturation is redox-dependent, utilizing multiple steps within both suprabasal and cornified layers.Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) exclusively infect cutaneous or mucosal epithelial tissues (14, 15, 30). HPV types that infect the mucosal epithelia can lead to the development of benign or malignant neoplasms, thus allowing for their categorization into low-risk or high-risk HPV types, respectively (14, 15, 30). A small subset of the more than 200 HPV types now identified are the causative agents of over 75% of all cervical cancers. HPV16 is the most prevalent type worldwide, found in ca. 50 to 62% of squamous cell carcinomas (14, 50).HPV16 virions contain a single, circular double-stranded DNA genome of ∼8 kb which associates with histones to form a chromatin-like structure. This minichromosome is packaged within a nonenveloped, icosahedral capsid composed of the major capsid protein L1 and the minor capsid protein L2. Similar to polyomaviruses, 72 capsomeres of L1 are geometrically arranged on a T=7 icosahedral lattice (2, 9, 17, 19, 36, 42). Recent cryoelectron microscopy images of HPV16 pseudovirions (PsV) suggest that L2 is arranged near the inner conical hollow of each L1 pentamer, although it is not known whether each L1 pentamer is occupied with a single L2 protein (5, 42).Due to technical constraints in the production of native HPV virions in organotypic culture, assembly studies of HPV particles have largely been restricted to the utilization of in vitro-derived particles such as virus-like particles (VLPs), PsV, and quasivirions (QV) (6, 12, 25, 40, 43). Recent research suggests that HPV and bovine papillomavirus PsV can undergo a redox-dependent conformational change that takes place over the course of many hours. This conformational change is characterized by resistance to proteolysis and chemical reduction and the appearance of a more orderly capsid structure via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (7, 20).We present evidence that native virions, in the context of the complete papillomavirus life cycle, utilize a tissue-spanning redox gradient that facilitates multiple redox-dependent assembly and maturation events over the course of many days. We show that stability and specific infectivity of 20-day virions increases over 10-day virions, 20-day virions are more susceptible to neutralization than 10-day virions, and both viral DNA encapsidation and infectivity of HPV-infected tissues are redox dependent in that they can be manipulated via the treatment of organotypic tissues with oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which is concentration and temporally dependent.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型病毒样颗粒的制备及其免疫原性研究

利用PCR技术从HPV16阳性阴道分泌物标本中获得HPV16 L1基因片段,并将其插入表达载体pTO-T7中,构建重组表达质粒pTO-T7-HPV16-L1;以该重组质粒转化大肠杆菌ER2566并表达HPV16 L1蛋白;所表达的HPV16 L1蛋白经过硫酸铵沉淀、离子交换层析和疏水相互作用层析等纯化步骤后,HPV16 L1纯度达到98%以上,并可在体外装配为直径50nm的病毒样颗粒;动物免疫原性研究结果显示,该病毒样颗粒可诱导高滴度的针对HPV16的中和抗体。上述研究结果表明通过大肠杆菌表达系统制备的HPV16病毒样颗粒具有纯度高,与天然病毒颗粒形态高度相似的特点,并具有高度免疫原性,可以应用于HPV16病毒样颗粒的结构功能研究及HPV16疫苗研发等领域。     

Membrane Orientation of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E5 Oncoprotein

The E5 protein of human papillomavirus type 16 is a small, hydrophobic protein that localizes predominantly to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To define the orientation of E5 in these membranes, we employed a differential, detergent permeabilization technique that makes use of the ability of low concentrations of digitonin to selectively permeabilize the plasma membrane and saponin to permeabilize all cellular membranes. We then generated a biologically active E5 protein that was epitope tagged at both its N and C termini and determined the accessibility of these termini to antibodies in the presence and absence of detergents. In both COS cells and human ectocervical cells, the C terminus of E5 was exposed to the cytoplasm, whereas the N terminus was restricted to the lumen of the ER. Finally, the deletion of the E5 third transmembrane domain (and terminal hydrophilic amino acids) resulted in a protein with its C terminus in the ER lumen. Taken together, these topology findings are compatible with a model of E5 being a 3-pass transmembrane protein and with studies demonstrating its C terminus interacting with cytoplasmic proteins.Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses (25) that are the causative agents of benign and malignant tumors in humans (43). Most cancers of the cervix, vagina, and anus are caused by HPVs, as are a fraction of oropharyngeal cancers (29, 44). HPV type 16 (HPV-16) is the type most frequently found in anogenital cancers (15, 29), including cervical cancer, the most common cancer of women worldwide (44).Some of the biological activities of the HPV-16 E5 protein (16E5) include the augmentation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathways (8), stimulation of anchorage-independent growth (38), alkalinization of endosomal pH (11), and alteration of membrane lipid composition (39). 16E5 also exhibits weak transforming activity in vitro (12), induces epithelial tumors in transgenic mice (13), and plays an important role in koilocytosis (20). There are multiple documented intracellular binding targets for 16E5 such as the 16-kDa subunit of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (7, 36), the heavy chain of HLA type I (1), EGF receptor family member ErbB4 (6), calnexin (16), the zinc transporter ZnT-1 (21), the EVER1 and EVER2 transmembrane channel-like proteins that modulate zinc homeostasis (21, 31), the nuclear import receptor family member karyopherin β3 (KNβ3) (19), and BAP31, which was previously reported to contribute to B-cell receptor activation (35).16E5 is a small, hydrophobic protein that localizes to intracellular membranes. When overexpressed in COS cells, it is present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and, to a lesser extent, in the Golgi apparatus (7). At a lower level of expression in human foreskin keratinocytes and human ectocervical cells (HECs), 16E5 is present predominantly in the ER (10, 39). 16E5 contains three hydrophobic regions (14, 16, 22, 30, 41), and it was reported previously that the first hydrophobic region determines various biological properties of the protein (16, 22). It was also shown previously that the 16E5 C terminus plays a role in binding to karyopherin β3 (19) and in the formation of koilocytes (20). While theoretical predictions have been made for the topology of E5 in membranes (16), no experimental data exist. However, a recent study suggested that some highly expressed 16E5 localizes to the plasma membrane, with its C terminus exposed externally (18).The aim of the present study was to establish the orientation of 16E5 in the ER membrane. By using immunofluorescence microscopy coupled with differential membrane permeabilization (24, 34), we demonstrate the membrane orientation of an N- and C-terminally tagged, biologically active 16E5 protein. Our results indicate that the N terminus is intralumenal and that the C terminus is cytoplasmic, consistent with a model of E5 being a three-pass transmembrane protein and with current data on the interaction of its C terminus with cytoplasmic proteins.     

Mucosal but Not Parenteral Immunization with Purified Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Virus-Like Particles Induces Neutralizing Titers of Antibodies throughout the Estrous Cycle of Mice

We have recently shown that nasal immunization of anesthetized mice with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) virus-like particles (VLPs) is highly effective at inducing both neutralizing immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG in genital secretions, while parenteral immunization induced only neutralizing IgG. Our data also demonstrated that both isotypes are similarly neutralizing according to an in vitro pseudotyped neutralization assay. However, it is known that various amounts of IgA and IgG are produced in genital secretions along the estrous cycle. Therefore, we have investigated how this variation influences the amount of HPV16 neutralizing antibodies induced after immunization with VLPs. We have compared parenteral and nasal protocols of vaccination with daily samplings of genital secretions of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis showed that total IgA and IgG inversely varied along the estrous cycle, with the largest amounts of IgA in proestrus-estrus and the largest amount of IgG in diestrus. This resulted in HPV16 neutralizing titers of IgG only being achieved during diestrus upon parenteral immunization. In contrast, nasal vaccination induced neutralizing titers of IgA plus IgG throughout the estrous cycle, as confirmed by in vitro pseudotyped neutralization assays. Our data suggest that mucosal immunization might be more efficient than parenteral immunization at inducing continuous protection of the female genital tract.     

A Chimeric 18L1-45RG1 Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Cross-Protects against Oncogenic Alpha-7 Human Papillomavirus Types

Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) types causes all cervical and a subset of other anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas. Four high-risk (hr) mucosal types HPV16, 18, 45, or 59 cause almost all cervical adenocarcinomas (AC), a subset of cervical cancer (CxC). Although the incidence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has dramatically decreased following introduction of Papanicolaou (PAP) screening, the proportion of AC has relatively increased. Cervical SCC arise mainly from the ectocervix, whereas AC originate primarily from the endocervical canal, which is less accessible to obtain viable PAP smears. Licensed (bivalent and quadrivalent) HPV vaccines comprise virus-like particles (VLP) of the most important hr HPV16 and 18, self-assembled from the major capsid protein L1. Due to mainly type-restricted efficacy, both vaccines do not target 13 additional hr mucosal types causing 30% of CxC. The papillomavirus genus alpha species 7 (α7) includes a group of hr types of which HPV18, 45, 59 are proportionally overrepresented in cervical AC and only partially (HPV18) targeted by current vaccines. To target these types, we generated a chimeric vaccine antigen that consists of a cross-neutralizing epitope (homologue of HPV16 RG1) of the L2 minor capsid protein of HPV45 genetically inserted into a surface loop of HPV18 L1 VLP (18L1-45RG1). Vaccination of NZW rabbits with 18L1-45RG1 VLP plus alum-MPL adjuvant induced high-titer neutralizing antibodies against homologous HPV18, that cross-neutralized non-cognate hr α7 types HPV39, 45, 68, but not HPV59, and low risk HPV70 in vitro, and induced a robust L1-specific cellular immune response. Passive immunization protected mice against experimental vaginal challenge with pseudovirions of HPV18, 39, 45 and 68, but not HPV59 or the distantly related α9 type HPV16. 18L1-45RG1 VLP might be combined with our previously described 16L1-16RG1 VLP to develop a second generation bivalent vaccine with extended spectrum against hr HPV.     

头颈部肿瘤基因组中HPV16DNA的同源序列

利用头颈部肿癌临床活检新鲜组织和石蜡包埋组织的两种处理标本,分别采用核酸分子杂交和聚合酶链反应(PCR)两种技术,分析了头颈部肿瘤组织基因组中人乳头瘤病毒16型的同源序列,并研究HPV16的感染同头颈部肿瘤发生发展的关系。结果表明:1.喉鳞状细胞癌DNA中有HPV16 DNA同源序列,检测频率在20.0％以上。2.PCR扩增石蜡包埋肿瘤组织DNA中HPV16的URR(病毒基因上游调控区)中的序列,电泳分析扩增产物在喉乳头状瘤、喉癌、鼻腔内翻性乳头瘤和口腔癌中检测率分别是11.1％、20.0％、42.9％和27.3％。3.研究表明HPV16 DNA阳性率与喉癌原发部位,分化程度和临床分期之间可能有一定的相关性。人乳头瘤病毒可能是头颈部肿瘤的病毒病因之     

Production of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7 Protein in Lactococcus lactis

The E7 protein of human papillomavirus type 16 was produced in Lactococcus lactis. Secretion allowed higher production yields than cytoplasmic production. In stationary phase, amounts of cytoplasmic E7 were reduced, while amounts of secreted E7 increased, suggesting a phase-dependent intracellular proteolysis. Fusion of E7 to the staphylococcal nuclease, a stable protein, resulted in a highly stable cytoplasmic protein. This work provides new candidates for development of viral screening systems and for oral vaccine against cervical cancer.     

Nasal Immunization of Mice with Human Papillomavirus Type 16 (HPV-16) Virus-Like Particles or with the HPV-16 L1 Gene Elicits Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Vaginal Draining Lymph Nodes

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) infects the genital tract and is closely associated with the development of cervical cancer. HPV-16 initiates infection at the genital mucosal surface; thus, mucosal immune responses are likely to contribute to defense against HPV-16 infection. However, little information is available regarding the induction of immune responses in the genital tract mucosa. In this study, we evaluated the potential of intranasally administered papillomavirus vaccines to elicit both systemic and vaginal immune responses. HPV-16 virus-like particles (VLPs) produced by self-assembly of L1 protein and the HPV-16 L1 gene cloned into a mammalian expression vector were used as vaccines. Intranasally administered VLPs induced serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and vaginal IgA secretory antibodies. Very weak serum IgG and vaginal IgA responses were found after DNA immunization. Both splenic and vaginal lymphocytes could be activated by intranasal immunization with VLPs and the HPV-16 L1 gene. Activated CD4(+) Th1-like T cells were shown to synthesize gamma interferon, and activated CD8(+) T cells were demonstrated to be cytotoxic.     

Chimeric L1-L2 Virus-Like Particles as Potential Broad-Spectrum Human Papillomavirus Vaccines

The amino (N) terminus of the human papillomavirus (HPV) minor capsid protein L2 can induce low-titer, cross-neutralizing antibodies. The aim of this study was to improve immunogenicity of L2 peptides by surface display on highly ordered, self-assembled virus-like particles (VLP) of major capsid protein L1, and to more completely characterize neutralization epitopes of L2. Overlapping peptides comprising amino acids (aa) 2 to 22 (hereafter, chimera or peptide 2-22), 13 to 107, 18 to 31, 17 to 36, 35 to 75, 75 to 112, 115 to 154, 149 to 175, and 172 to 200 of HPV type 16 (HPV16) L2 were genetically engineered into the DE surface loop of bovine papillomavirus type 1 L1 VLP. Except for chimeras 35-75 and 13-107, recombinant fusion proteins assembled into VLP. Vaccination of rabbits with Freund''s adjuvanted native VLP induced higher L2-specific antibody titers than vaccination with corresponding sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured proteins. Immune sera to epitopes within residues 13 to 154 neutralized HPV16 in pseudovirion neutralization assays, whereas chimera 17-36 induced additional cross-neutralization to divergent high-risk HPV18, -31, -45, -52, and -58; low-risk HPV11; and beta-type HPV5 (titers of 50 to 10,000). Aluminum hydroxide-monophosphoryl lipid A (Alum-MPL)-adjuvanted VLP induced similar patterns of neutralization in both rabbits and mice, albeit with 100-fold-lower titers than Freund''s adjuvant. Importantly, Alum-MPL-adjuvanted immunization with chimeric HPV16L1-HPV16L2 (peptide 17-36) VLP induced neutralization or cross-neutralization of HPV16, -18, -31, -45, -52, and -58; HPV6 and -11; and HPV5 (titers of 50 to 100,000). Immunization with HPV16 L1-HPV16 L2 (chimera 17-36) VLP in adjuvant applicable for human use induces broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against HPV types evolutionarily divergent to HPV16 and thus may protect against infection with mucosal high-risk, low-risk, and beta HPV types and associated disease.The more than 100 types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) identified to date (14) are the etiological agents of skin and mucosal papillomas or warts. Persistent infection with high-risk mucosal types, most often HPV type 16 (HPV16) and HPV18, causes cervical cancer, which constitutes the second leading fatal cancer in women worldwide, causing 274,000 deaths per year. Substantial morbidity results from other noncervical HPV-related conditions, such as anogenital warts or anal cancer (23).The development of current prophylactic papillomavirus vaccines was launched by observations that recombinantly expressed major capsid protein L1 self-assembles into virus-like particles (VLP). These empty viral capsids are composed of 360 L1 molecules and resemble native virions in both structure and immunogenicity, yet are nononcogenic and noninfectious. Moreover, VLP cannot replicate because the cells in which VLP are made contain only L1 and no other papillomavirus genes. Subunit VLP vaccines induce high-titer and type-restricted antibody responses to conformational L1 epitopes (12, 26, 39, 44). When applied to women prior to infection, available vaccines targeting the most prevalent high-risk types, HPV16 and HPV18, have demonstrated up to 100% efficacy against persistent infection and associated disease caused by the included types and thus are potentially able to prevent ∼70% of cervical high-grade dysplasias and probably cancers (22, 46). Therefore, use of currently licensed L1 vaccines necessitates continuation of cytological cervical screening of women. The prevention of 96% of cervical cancer would require immunity to seven high-risk HPV types (HPV16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52, and -58) (32) and the development of more highly multivalent (and presumably costly) L1 VLP vaccines.The search for alternative broader-spectrum immunogens drew attention to the minor capsid protein L2, which is immunogenically subdominant in the context of coexpressed L1-L2 capsids (38). Immunization of animals with the amino (N)-terminal peptide of L2 demonstrated its ability to elicit low-titer neutralizing antibodies that protect against challenge with cognate papillomavirus types in vivo (16, 19), cross-neutralize heterologous types in vitro (25, 33, 38), and confer cross-protection in vivo (17).This study addresses two major issues that may further the development of L2-based broader-spectrum vaccines. First, the N terminus of L2 is more closely examined for potential neutralization epitopes, by incorporating peptides into papillomavirus VLP as peptide-presenting platforms (7, 21, 42). Moreover, we take advantage of the immunogenic characteristics of virion surfaces, such as the dense repetitive surface array of VLP, to induce strong and enduring immune responses to displayed L2 epitopes.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型晚期蛋白质基因L1的克隆及表达

人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16)含有两个晚期开放读码框(L_1ORF和L_2ORF),L_1ORF编码主要衣壳蛋白,我们用质粒pHPV16、p16L_2BX_5和pATH,采用基因重组技术,制备了含有HPV16个长L_1ORF序列的基因克隆p16L_1BN(5071—253),它能在大肠杆菌中有效表达,产生分子量约90KD的含有E. coli trpE的融合蛋白。Western blot检测,该蛋白可被抗牛乳头瘤病毒的抗体识别,这说明克隆p16L_1BN能有效表达,基因产物具有乳头瘤病毒型的共同抗原的性质。     

Adsorption of Human Papillomavirus 16 to Live Human Sperm

Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a diverse group of viruses that infect the skin and mucosal tissues of humans. A high-risk subgroup of HPVs is associated with virtually all cases of cervical cancer [1]–[3]. High-risk HPVs are transmitted sexually; however, the exact mechanisms by which sexual contact promotes virus infection remain uncertain. To study this question we asked whether capsids of HPV type 16 (a high-risk HPV) specifically interact with sperm cells. We tested if purified HPV16 virions directly adsorb to live human sperm cells in native semen and in conditions that resemble the female genital tract. We found that HPV16 capsids bind efficiently to two distinct sites at the equatorial region of the sperm head surface. Moreover, we observed that the interaction of virus with sperm can be reduced by two HPV infection inhibitors, heparin and carrageenan. Our findings suggest that 1) sperm cells may serve as motile carriers that promote virus dispersal and mucosal penetration, and 2) blocking interactions between HPV16 and sperm cells may be an important strategy for the development of antiviral therapies.     

mRNA Instability Elements in the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L2 Coding Region

Human papillomavirus capsid proteins L1 and L2 are detected only in terminally differentiated cells, indicating that expression of the L1 and L2 genes is blocked in dividing cells. The results presented here establish that the human papillomavirus type 16 L2 coding region contains cis-acting inhibitory sequences. When placed downstream of a reporter gene, the human papillomavirus type 16 L2 sequence reduced both mRNA and protein levels in an orientation-dependent manner. Deletion analysis revealed that the L2 sequence contains two cis-acting inhibitory RNA regions. We identified an inhibitory region in the 5′-most 845 nucleotides of L2 that acted by reducing cytoplasmic mRNA stability and a second, weaker inhibitory region in the 3′ end of L2. In contrast, human papillomavirus type 1 L1 and L2 genes did not encode strong inhibitory sequences. This result is consistent with observations of high virus production in human papillomavirus type 1-infected tissue, whereas only low levels of human papillomavirus type 16 virions are detectable in infected epithelium. The presence of inhibitory sequences in the L1 and L2 mRNAs may aid the virus in avoiding the host immunosurveillance and in establishing persistent infections.