Transforming activity of a novel mutant of HPV16 E6E7 fusion gene

An optimized recombinant HPV16 E6E7 fusion gene(HPV16 ofE6E7)was constructed according to codon usage for mammalian cell expression,and a mutant of HPV16 ofE6E7 fusion gene(HPV16 omfE6E7)was generated by site-directed mutagenesis at L57G,C113R for the E6 protein and C24G,E26G for the E7 protein for HPV16 ofE6E7 [patent pending(CN 101100672)].The HPV16 omfE6E7 gene constructed in this work not only lost the transformation capability to NIH 3T3 cells and tumorigenicity in SCID mice,but also maintained very good stability and antigenicity.These results suggests that the HPV16 omfE6E7 gene should undergo further study for application as a safe antigen-specific therapeutic vaccine for HPV16-associated tumors.     

表达人乳头瘤病毒16型E6/E7融合蛋白的非复制型重组痘苗病毒的构建及免疫效果观察

采用基因工程方法将HPV16E6、E7基因融合后插入痘苗病毒载体,通过同源重组构建表达人乳头瘤病毒16型E6/E7融合蛋白的非复制型重组痘苗病毒疫苗,用C57BL/6小鼠观察其免疫原性和抗肿瘤移植情况。测序结果表明融合的HPV16E6、E7基因序列与设计相符;构建的非复制型重组痘苗病毒经Dot blot鉴定,显示有E6、E7融合基因的插入;Western blot检测表明该重组病毒在鸡胚成纤维细胞中能表达HPV16型E6/E7融合蛋白。动物免疫试验表明,该重组病毒在小鼠体内可诱发E6、E7特异性抗体;被免疫小鼠能抵抗TC-1肿瘤细胞的攻击。此结果为将来进一步研制HPV16、18型联合疫苗打下了基础。     

人乳头瘤病毒58型E6E7融合蛋白的原核表达、纯化及鉴定

目的:构建pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒,诱导表达人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)58型E6E7融合蛋白。方法:采用PCR方法扩增出HPV58 E6E7融合基因的全长序列,利用DNA重组技术将其定向插入原核表达载体pET-42a(+)中,构建pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒,用限制性内切酶酶切和核酸序列检测对重组质粒进行鉴定;将其转入宿主菌大肠杆菌BL21进行诱导以表达HPV58E6E7融合蛋白,并用谷胱甘肽琼脂糖树脂纯化回收HPV58E6E7融合蛋白,用SDS-PAGE及Western印迹鉴定表达蛋白的相对分子质量及抗原性。结果:PCR、限制性内切酶酶切和核酸序列检测证实重组质粒中插入的目的基因大小、方向正确;HPV58E6E7融合蛋白得到高效原核表达及纯化,表达蛋白的分子大小正确,抗原性良好。结论:pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒构建成功,HPV58E6E7融合蛋白得到高效表达及有效纯化,为检测HPV58型治疗性疫苗的免疫效果提供了抗原。     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E7蛋白的原核表达与鉴定

本研究在大肠杆菌BL21中融合表达人乳头瘤病毒16型E7蛋白,并初步评价其应用价值。采用PCR技术扩增出HPV16E7基因,将其克隆进原核表达载体pGEX6p-1,转化至大肠杆菌BL21,利用IPTG进行诱导表达。以纯化的融合蛋白作为检测抗原建立间接ELISA方法,用于检测重组李斯特菌(Lm1-2-E7)免疫小鼠后的E7血清抗体水平。在25℃,0.5mM IPTG诱导下,HPV16E7蛋白在大肠杆菌BL21中获得表达,融合蛋白以可溶性形式存在,Western blot结果显示其与HPV16E7单克隆抗体发生特异性反应。二次免疫后小鼠血清经间接ELISA结果表明E7特异性抗体滴度为1∶200。结果表明GST-E7融合蛋白具有较强的免疫活性。     

北京地区宫颈癌HPV16上游调控序列、E6、E7癌基因序列初步分析

为检测HPV16上游调控序列(Upstream regulatory region, URR)、E6、E7癌基因变异在北京地区宫颈癌患者癌组织中的分布特征, 探讨该地区宫颈癌发生同HPV16变异株间的相关性, 文章以提取的31例HPV16检测阳性宫颈癌组织DNA为模板, 设计针对性引物扩增URR、E6、E7 3个目的片段, PCR产物直接测序并通过GenBank对比分析变异和分支鉴定情况。在所分析的宫颈癌组织中, URR是突变频率最高的片段, 其次为E7, 最保守的序列为E6。共发现热突变位点8个, 分别为URR序列上G7521A(100%)、C7435G(96.77%)、C24T(45.16%)、A7729C(45.16%)、G7839A(45.16%); E6序列上T178G(41.94%); E7序列上A647G(45.16%)、T846C(45.16%)。HPV16分支分布频率最广的是As型(54.84%), 其次为E型(45.16%)。研究结果提示, HPV16URR序列上G7521A、A7729C、G7839A, E6序列上T178G、T350G, E7序列上A647G、G658A等位点的变异可能与病毒致癌潜能及宫颈癌的发生相关。北京地区宫颈癌患者中As和E型可能是两种最主要的HPV16分支, 这有可能会为HPV疫苗的研制和感染治疗提供有价值的信息。As型和E型病毒在不同年龄组和不同肿瘤分期组的患者中分布频率有差异, 这可能会为揭示宫颈癌年轻化趋势提供新的线索。     

Enhancement of immunogenicity of HPV16 E7 oncogene by fusion with E. coli beta-glucuronidase

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 is an unstable oncoprotein with low immunogenicity. In previous work, we prepared the E7GGG gene containing point mutations resulting in substitution of three amino acids in the pRb-binding site of the HPV16 E7 protein. METHODS AND RESULTS: To increase E7GGG immunogenicity we constructed fusion genes of E. coli beta-glucuronidase (GUS) with one or three copies of E7GGG. Furthermore, a similar construct was prepared with partial E7GGG (E7GGGp, 41 amino acids from the N-terminus). The expression of the fusion genes was examined in human 293T cells. Quantification of GUS activity and the amount of E7 antigen showed substantially reduced GUS activity of fusion proteins with complete E7GGG that was mainly caused by decrease of their steady-state level in comparison with GUS or E7GGGpGUS. Still, the steady-state level of E7GGG.GUS was about 20-fold higher than that of the E7GGG protein. The immunogenicity of the fusion genes with complete E7GGG was tested by DNA immunisation of C57BL/6 mice with a gene gun. TC-1 cells and their clone TC-1/A9 with down-regulated MHC class I expression were subcutaneously (s.c.) inoculated to induce tumour formation. All mice were protected against challenge with TC-1 cells and most animals remained tumour-free in therapeutic-immunisation experiments with these cells, in contrast to immunisation with unfused E7GGG and the fusion with the lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (Sig/E7GGG/LAMP-1). Significant protection was also recorded against TC-1/A9 cells. Both tetramer staining and ELISPOT assay showed substantially higher activation of E7-specific CD8+ lymphocytes in comparison with E7GGG and Sig/E7GGG/LAMP-1. Deletion of 231 bp in the GUS gene eliminated enzymatic activity, but did not influence the immunogenicity of the E7GGG.GUS gene. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate the superior immunisation efficacy of the fusion genes of E7GGG with GUS when compared with E7GGG and Sig/E7GGG/LAMP-1. The E7GGG.GUS-based DNA vaccine might also be efficient against human tumour cells with reduced MHC class I expression.     

人乳头瘤病毒6b型E7蛋白的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

进行人乳头瘤病毒6b型(Human papillomavirus type 6b,HPV6b)E7蛋白原核表达并制备其多克隆抗体。用已构建的pGEX-4T-2/HPV6bE7原核表达载体诱导表达大量可溶性融合蛋白GST-HPV6bE7,用Glutathione-Sepharose 4B亲和柱和凝血酶纯化获取HPV6b型E7蛋白。将纯化的E7蛋白免疫新西兰兔并纯化为多克隆抗体IgG。采用Western-Blot及免疫荧光法分析该抗体的效价及特异性。十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分析显示,异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导3～6h后pGEX-4T-2/HPV6bE7表达载体在大肠杆菌中高水平表达可溶性融合蛋白。纯化的E7蛋白免疫新西兰兔后可获得兔多克隆抗体IgG。经Western-Blot及免疫荧光鉴定,兔抗IgG具有高效价性和抗HPV6bE7蛋白特异性。获取纯化的HPV6b型E7蛋白具有较好的免疫原性,其免疫兔产生的多克隆抗体IgG效价高,特异性好,有望进一步用于HPV6b型的生物学功能研究和免疫学效应研究。     

Combined immunization with fusion genes of mutated E7 gene of human papillomavirus type 16 did not enhance antitumor effect

BACKGROUND: The E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is frequently used as a model tumor-associated antigen. Its immunogenicity has been substantially enhanced by fusion with several proteins of various origins and functions. Different mechanisms have been responsible for increased vaccination efficacy of fusion proteins. METHODS AND RESULTS: We linked E7 and its mutated form (E7GGG) with the mouse heat-shock protein 70.1 (HSP70.1). Enhanced immunogenicity of both fusion genes administered via a gene gun was demonstrated by protection of C57BL/6 mice against oncogenic MHC class I positive TC-1 cells producing the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein but not against the MHC class I negative TC-1/A9 subline. To assess if the efficacy of E7-based DNA vaccines could be increased by combination of various fusion genes, we combined the HSP70.1 fusion genes (i.e. E7HSP or E7GGGHSP) with the fusion construct linking E7GGG with targeting signals of lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (Sig/E7GGG/LAMP-1). Treatment of mice 4 days after TC-1 cell inoculation showed moderately higher immunization potency of HSP70.1 fusion genes in comparison with the Sig/E7GGG/LAMP-1 gene. Any combination of two fusion genes given in the same gene gun shot neither was more effective compared with single genes nor protected mice against TC-1/A9 cells. As fusion of E7GGG with E. coli glucuronidase (E7GGG.GUS) had been previously proven to provide partial protection from TC-1/A9-induced tumors, we also combined E7GGGHSP with E7GGG.GUS. The genes were inoculated either in mix in two gene gun shots or separately each gene in one shot into opposite sides of the abdomen. Neither mode of combined immunization induced higher protection than E7GGG.GUS alone. However, doubling the DNA dose considerably enhanced the antitumor efficacy of E7GGG.GUS. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed highly immunogenic fusions of HPV16 E7 and E7GGG with mouse HSP70.1. Furthermore, we substantially enhanced protection against TC-1/A9 cells with downregulated MHC class I expression by doubling the pBSC/E7GGG.GUS dose, but we failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect of any combination of two fusion genes with different mechanisms causing enhancement of HPV16 E7 immunogenicity.     

Human keratin 14 driven HPV 16 E6/E7 transgenic mice exhibit hyperkeratinosis

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) has been known as a major causative factor for the development of uterine cervical carcinomas. To investigate the in vivo activity of HPV16 expressed in squamous epithelia, transgenic mice harboring HPV16 E6/E7 with human keratin 14 (hK14) promoter were generated. Grossly, hK14 driven HPV16 E6/E7 transgenic mice exhibited multiple phenotypes, including wrinkled skin that was apparent prior to the appearance of hair in neonates, thickened ears, and loss of hair in adults. Transgenic mice with phenotype exhibiting severe wrinkled skin and a lack of hair growth died at the age of 3-4 weeks. Histological analysis revealed that in transgenic mice survived beyond the initial 3-4 weeks, HPV16 E6/E7 causes epidermal hyperplasia in multiple transgenic lineages with high incidence of transgene penetration. This epithelial hyperplasia was characterized by an expansion of the proliferating compartment and keratinocytes, and was associated with hyperkeratosis. Such activities were significantly higher in the skin of transgenic mice than that of the normal mice. Thus, these transgenic mice appeared to be useful for the expression of HPV16 E6/E7 gene and subsequent analysis on hyperkeratosis.     

Enhancement of immunotherapeutic effects of HPV16E7 on cervical cancer by fusion with CTLA4 extracellular region

Cervical cancer is caused by infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV16. Limitations in current treatments of cervical cancers call for the development of new and improved immunotherapies. This study aims at investigating the efficacy of a novel vaccine consisting of modified HPV 16E7 fused with human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4). The regions in HPV16 E7 gene associated with its transformation and CTL-enhanced response were modified; the resultant HPV16mE7 was fused with extracellular region of CTLA4 to generate HPVml6E7-eCTLA4 fusion protein. Binding of this fusion protein to B7 molecules expressed on antigen presenting-cells (APCs) was demonstrated. C57BL/6 (H-2^b) mice immunized with low dose of the fusion protein (10 μg) produced higher titer antibody and stronger specific CTL response, and expressed higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-12, compared with those immunized with HPVml6E7 only or admixture of HPVml6E7 and CTLA4, or PBS; and were protected from lethal dose tumor challenge. Tumor growth was retarded and survival prolonged in mouse models with the fusion protein treatment. Our results demonstrate that fusion of HPV16 E7 with eCTLA4 targeting APCs resulted in enhanced immunity, and that this fusion protein may be useful for improving the efficacy of immunotherapeutic treatments of cervical cancer and other HPV16 infection-associated tumors.     

Human papillomavirus type 16 mutant E7 protein induces oncogenic transformation via up-regulation of cyclin A and cdc25A

A new mutant human papiUomavirus type 16 E7 gene, termed HPV16 HBE7, was isolated from cervical carcinoma biopsy samples from patients in an area with high incidence of cervical cancer (Hubei province, China). A previous study showed that the HPVI6 HBE7 protein was primarily cytoplasmic while wild-type HPV16 E7 protein, termed HPV16 WET, was concentrated in the nucleus. With the aim of studying the biological functions of HPV16 HBE7, the transforming potential of HPV16 HBE7 in NIH/3T3 cells was detected through observation of cell morphology, cell proliferation assay and anchorage-independent growth assay. The effect of HPVI6 HBE7 on cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RT-PCR were used to investigate the influence of HPVI6 HBE7 protein on the expression of regulation factors associated with GI/S checkpoint. The results showed that HPV16 HBE7 protein, as well as HPV16 WE7 protein, held transformation activity. NIH/3T3 cells expressing HPV16 HBE7 could easily transition from G1 phase into S phase and expressed high level of cyclin A and cdc25A. These results indicated HPV16 mutant E7 protein, located in the cytoplasm, induces oncogenic transformation of NIH/3T3 cells via up-regulation of cyclin A and cdc25A.     

HPV18 E7致癌蛋白的高效表达、纯化和鉴定

目的为进一步研究人乳头状瘤病毒18（Human papillomavirus18,HPV18）E7蛋白的结构与功能。方法构建HPV18 E7的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶融合蛋白质粒pGEX-6P-1-GST-HPV18 E7,重组质粒转入大肠埃希菌BL21进行可溶性融合蛋白的高效表达。结果柱上切除法去除GST标签,表达产物经glutathione Sepharose 4B亲和层析纯化,获得了SDS-PAGE和HPLC-ESI-MS纯度的HPV18 E7均质蛋白,非变性PAGE和凝胶过滤表明HPV18 E7以稳定的单体形式存在于水溶液中。高压液相色谱-电喷雾质谱（HPLC-ESI-MS）分析得到HPV18 E7精确分子量为12865．0 Da,与其理论值吻合。纯化蛋白经HPLC-ESI-MS／MS鉴定为目的产物,鉴定出的9个匹配肽段覆盖率为HPV18 E7整个氨基酸序列的96．5％。结论本文所建立的技术可以有效地大量制备HPV18 E7,为进一步研究其结构与功能和致癌机制奠定了重要的物质基础。     

新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈癌组织中乳头瘤病毒16型E6基因的克隆和序列分析

为了分析新疆南部地区维吾尔族妇女宫颈癌组织中HPV16型E6基因结构特点，从中国新疆南部地区维吾尔族妇女宫颈癌活检组织标本中提取DNA，以宫颈癌活检组织标本DNA为模板进行PCR扩增，获得HPV16 E6基因，将其克隆到pUCm-T载体上，并对其进行基因全序列分析.PCR检测结果显示宫颈癌组织中HPV16 E6阳性率为82.35%（14/17）；测序结果显示，新疆株HPV16 E6基因全长456 bp，大小与德国标准株一致.E6基因的第247位碱基发生T→G突变，并由此引起所编码的氨基酸亦发生改变.上述结果表明，中国新疆南部地区维吾尔族妇女宫颈癌患者组织中HPV16 E6的基因结构与德国标准株HPV16 E6基因之间存在差异.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型早期基因E6、E7的克隆及表达

高危人乳头瘤病毒16型的感染与宫颈癌的发病密切相关。HPV16E6和E7蛋白在大多数HPV16相关宫颈癌及其癌前病变中持续表达,因此E6和E7蛋白可作为制备HPV16相关肿瘤及其癌前病变治疗性疫苗的靶抗原〔2〕。采用套式PCR方法,从宫颈癌患者组织中扩增出E6、E7基因并成功构建了包含E6、E7的表达质粒PET-E6、PET-E7。SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和Western-blotting分析结果表明,外源基因E6,E7在T7启动子控制下可获得稳定表达。     

Synergistic antitumor effect of a human papillomavirus DNA vaccine harboring E6E7 fusion gene and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 gene

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the primary etiological factor in cervical cancer as well as in subsets of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The two HPV viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, are uniquely and consistently expressed in all HPV‐infected cells and are therefore promising targets for therapeutic vaccination. In order to achieve a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis effect, we designed and constructed a novel DNA vaccine that can express the HPV 16 E6E7 fusion protein and VEGFR2 in the same reading frame. A series of DNA plasmids encoding E6E7, VEGFR2 and their conjugates were constructed and injected into mice. The resultant humoral and cellular immune responses were detected by ELISA and enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT), respectively. To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of these plasmids, tumor‐bearing mice expressing the E6E7 fusion protein were constructed. After injection into the tumor‐bearing mouse model, the plasmid harboring the E6E7 fusion gene and VEGFR2 showed stronger inhibition of tumor growth than the plasmid expressing E6E7 or VEGFR2 alone, which indicated that the combination of E6E7 and VEGFR2 could exert a synergistic antitumor effect. These observations emphasize the potential of a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis strategy using a DNA vaccine, which could be a promising approach for tumor immunotherapy.     

HPV16+治疗性无佐剂蛋白疫苗—HPV16Z- Hsp65-E6/E7的构建、表达及纯化工艺研究

目的：研制针对我国宫颈癌高危相关的HPV16型的治疗性无佐剂蛋白疫苗。方法：应用PCR技术自我国山西宫颈癌高发现场分离到的毒株-HPV16z中获得E6/E7转化基因片段,自卡介苗菌株中克隆获得Hsp65基因片段,对E6/E7基因片段定点突变修饰,构建pET28a-Hsp65-E6/E7表达载体,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达融合蛋白,并研究重组蛋白的纯化方案和工艺。结果：成功构建pET28a-Hsp65-E6/E7重组表达载体,E6/E7突变位点正确,融合蛋白在亲和层析柱上正确复性和初步纯化,经阴离子交换色谱纯化后蛋白纯度达到95%。结论：该研究为无佐剂治疗性重组蛋白疫苗Hsp65-E6/E7的进一步功能研究奠定了基础。     

人乳头瘤病毒11型L2NE7E6融合蛋白的原核表达及其诱发的T细胞免疫反应

目的:在原核表达系统中表达人乳头瘤病毒11型(HPV11)L2NE7E6融合蛋白,纯化蛋白后免疫小鼠,检测其诱发的T细胞免疫水平,并筛选HPV11 E6、E7特异的T细胞表位肽。方法:用重叠PCR方法构建HPV11L2NE7E6融合基因并插入原核表达质粒,在大肠杆菌中经IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白L2NE7E6,用SDS-PAGE和West-ern印迹鉴定融合蛋白的表达。Q柱纯化蛋白后免疫C57BL/6小鼠,分别用覆盖HPV11 E6和E7蛋白序列的肽库,采用酶联免疫斑点法(ELISPOT)检测其诱发的E7、E6特异的T细胞免疫反应,并筛选E7、E6特异的T细胞表位肽。结果:在原核表达系统中有效表达了HPV11 L2NE7E6融合蛋白,蛋白纯化后免疫C57BL/6小鼠,分别能检测到针对HPV11 E6、E7肽库刺激产生的特异性T细胞免疫反应。经肽池筛选到1条强的E6 T细胞表位肽E6aa41-55(AEI-YAYAYKNLKVVW);而E7只筛选到2条弱的T细胞表位肽,分别为E7aa53-67(QILTCCCGCDSNVRL)和E7aa73-87(DGDIRQLQDLLLGTL)。结论:HPV11 L2NE7E6融合蛋白能诱发小鼠产生E6、E7特异性细胞免疫反应,可作为尖锐湿疣免疫治疗候选疫苗。     

重叠PCR合成HPV16E6、E7基因并构建植物表达双元载体

HPV16型为主的多种HPV病毒可诱发机体发生宫颈癌等疾病,以重叠PCR法人工合成HPV16 E6、E7致癌基因的融合基因,以之为目的基因构建了无选择标记基因(Marker-Free)双元载体,期望转化番茄开发新型宫颈癌治疗性疫苗-转基因植物口服疫苗.通过生物信息学分析HPV16 E6、E7基因,设计并合成密码子优化的靶基因E6-E7融合基因;并在目的基因的上游引入分子佐荆LTB基因,与Kozak序列等表达元件相偶联,以提高目的基因在植物表达系统的表达水平、增强其诱导黏膜免疫的免疫原性.目前已构建pX6-LTB-E7和pX6-LTB-E7-E6两个番茄转化双元载体.采用番茄Marker-Free系统转化和表达HPV16 E6、E7目的基因可以在转化后代中剔除标记基因,从而消除由标记基因可能引起的转基因植物口服疫苗的安全性问题,为HPV转基因植物口服疫苗应用奠定基础.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型湖北株E7基因的克隆和高效表达

利用基因克隆技术,将ＨＰＶ１６湖北株完整的Ｅ７基因克隆到含乳糖操纵子的表达载体ｐＷＲ５９０１上,经限制性酶切分析获得重组质粒ｐＷＨＢＥ７。ｐＷＨＢＥ７转化大肠杆菌后表达产生分子量为７０ｋＤ的融合蛋白ｌａｃＥ７,该蛋白在免疫印迹实验中可被标准Ｅ７单抗识别。经ＩＰＴＧ诱导后,Ｅ７融合蛋白产量可达细菌总蛋白含量的３０％以上。利用ｌａｃＥ７蛋白在细菌胞浆中形成包含体的性质,简便地提取并纯化了该蛋白质。结果为从免疫学角度探讨ＨＰＶ１６与宫颈癌的关系以及ＨＰＶ疫苗的研制打下基础。