表达HPV16 L1抗原的1型重组AAV载体免疫效果的研究

为研究1型重组腺病毒伴随病毒(Adeno-associated virus type 1,AAV1)载体作为HPV16预防性疫苗的可行性,构建含密码子优化型HPV16L1基因(mod.HPV16L1)的1型重组AAV载体rAAV1-mod.HPV16L1,将纯化的rAAV1-mod.HPV16L1以肌注和滴鼻途径分别免疫C57BL/6小鼠,使用体外中和实验检测血清中的特异性中和抗体.结果显示,rAAV1-mod.HPV16L1单针肌注及滴鼻免疫均可诱导特异性血清中和抗体,但二组抗体动态变化趋势不同,肌注组血清中和抗体滴度显著高于滴鼻组.rAAV1-mod.HPV16L1单针肌注免疫可诱导强而持久的血清中和抗体,是理想的候选HPV16预防性疫苗.     

Circulating anti-wild-type adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) antibodies inhibit recombinant AAV2 (rAAV2)-mediated, but not rAAV5-mediated, gene transfer in the brain

Epidemiological studies report that 80% of the population maintains antibodies (Ab) to wild-type (wt) adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2), with 30% expressing neutralizing Ab (NAb). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) provides limited immune privilege to brain parenchyma, and the immune response to recombinant AAV (rAAV) administration in the brain of a naive animal is minimal. However, central nervous system transduction in preimmunized animals remains unstudied. Vector administration may disrupt the BBB sufficiently to promote an immune response in a previously immunized animal. We tested the hypothesis that intracerebral rAAV administration and readministration would not be affected by the presence of circulating Ab to wt AAV2. Rats peripherally immunized with live wt AAV2 and naive controls were tested with single intrastriatal injections of rAAV2 encoding human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or green fluorescent protein (GFP). Striatal readministration of rAAV2-GDNF was also tested in preimmunized and naive rats. Finally, serotype specificity of the immunization against wt AAV2 was examined by single injections of rAAV5-GFP. Preimmunization resulted in high levels of circulating NAb and prevented transduction by rAAV2 as assessed by striatal GDNF levels. rAAV2-GFP striatal transduction was also prevented by immunization, while rAAV5-GFP-mediated transduction, as assessed by stereological cell counting, was unaffected. Additionally, inflammatory markers were present in those animals that received repeated administrations of rAAV2, including markers of a cell-mediated immune response and cytotoxic damage. A live virus immunization protocol generated the circulating anti-wt-AAV Ab seen in this experiment, while human titers are commonly acquired via natural infection. Regardless, the data show that the presence of high levels of NAb against wt AAV can reduce rAAV-mediated transduction in the brain and should be accounted for in future experiments utilizing this vector.     

人乳头瘤病毒16L1-减毒志贺氏杆菌为载体疫苗的构建及免疫效应初步鉴定

为预防高危型人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16)诱发宫颈癌,制备以减毒志贺氏杆菌为载体的HPV16预防疫苗,以期载体可介导机体产生粘膜免疫反应,达到预防HPVl6感染的目的。为此构建了以HPV16L1为免疫原的减毒志贺氏杆菌苗,并初步鉴定候选疫苗的减毒特性和免疫效果。利用基于志贺氏杆菌virG／icsA基因的表达载体(pHS3199),将HPV16L1基因插入后构成pHS3199-hpv16L1质粒,电穿孔法将其转入减毒志贺氏杆菌sh42,经筛选获得重组减毒sh42-HPV16L1工程菌。用免疫印迹法检测HPV16L1蛋白表达,连续传代法确定其传代和目的蛋白表达的稳定性;豚鼠角膜巩膜炎症试验检测细菌的毒力和菌苗的免疫效果;小鼠红细胞凝集抑制试验检测免疫血清对病毒样颗粒(VLP)的中和活性。免疫印迹检测证实,重组菌株sh42-HPV16L1可稳定表达HPV16L1;豚鼠角膜巩膜炎症试验证实,该候选菌苗无致病性。减毒sh42-HPV16L1经结膜囊途径免疫豚鼠,可以产生特异性体液免疫应答,免疫动物体内的血清、肠道、阴道分泌物中抗HPV16L1 VLPIgG、IgA含量显著高于对照组,并且sh42-HPV16L1免疫动物血清可明显抑制HPV16L1 VLP引起的小鼠红细胞凝集。因而sh42-HPV16L1将是一种潜在的HPV16候选预防疫苗。     

Construction of prophylactic human papillomavirus type 16 L1 capsid protein vaccine delivered by live attenuated Shigella flexneri strain sh42

To express human papillomavirus （HPV） L 1 capsid protein in the recombinant strain of Shigella and study the potential of a live attenuated Shigella-based HPV prophylactic vaccine in preventing HPV infection, the icsA/virG fragment of Shigella-based prokaryotic expression plasmid pHS3199 was constructed. HPV type 16 L1 （HPV16L1） gene was inserted into plasmid pHS3199 to form the pHS3199-HPV16L1 construct, and pHS3199-HPV 16L1 was electroporated into a live attenuated Shigella strain sh42. Western blotting analysis showed that HPV 16L 1 could be expressed stably in the recombinant strain sh42-HPV 16L 1. Sereny test results were negative, which showed that the sh42-HPV16L1 lost virulence. However, the attenuated recombinant strain partially maintained the invasive property as indicated by the HeLa cell infection assay. Specific IgG, IgA antibody against HPV16L1 virus-like particles （VLPs） were detected in the sera, intestinal lavage and vaginal lavage from animals immunized by sh42-HPV 16L1. The number of antibodysecreting cells in the spleen and draining lymph nodes were increased significantly compared with the control group. Sera from immunized animals inhibited mufine hemagglutination induced by HPV 16L1 VLPs, which indicated that the candidate vaccine could stimulate an efficient immune response in guinea pig＇s mucosal sites. This may be an effective strategy for the development of an HPV prophylactic oral vaccine.     

Improved efficiency of a Salmonella-based vaccine against human papillomavirus type 16 virus-like particles achieved by using a codon-optimized version of L1

Cervical cancer results from cervical infection by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), especially HPV16. An effective vaccine against these HPVs is expected to have a dramatic impact on the incidence of this cancer and its precursor lesions. The leading candidate, a subunit prophylactic HPV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine, can protect women from HPV infection. An alternative improved vaccine that avoids parenteral injection, that is efficient with a single dose, and that induces mucosal immunity might greatly facilitate vaccine implementation in different settings. In this study, we have constructed a new generation of recombinant Salmonella organisms that assemble HPV16 VLPs and induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies in mice after a single nasal or oral immunization with live bacteria. This was achieved through the expression of a HPV16 L1 capsid gene whose codon usage was optimized to fit with the most frequently used codons in Salmonella. Interestingly, the high immunogenicity of the new recombinant bacteria did not correlate with an increased expression of L1 VLPs but with a greater stability of the L1-expressing plasmid in vitro and in vivo in absence of antibiotic selection. Anti-HPV16 humoral and neutralizing responses were also observed with different Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains whose attenuating deletions have already been shown to be safe after oral vaccination of humans. Thus, our findings are a promising improvement toward a vaccine strain that could be tested in human volunteers.     

Development of AAVLP(HPV16/31L2) particles as broadly protective HPV vaccine candidate

The human papillomavirus (HPV) minor capsid protein L2 is a promising candidate for a broadly protective HPV vaccine yet the titers obtained in most experimental systems are rather low. Here we examine the potential of empty AAV2 particles (AAVLPs), assembled from VP3 alone, for display of L2 epitopes to enhance their immunogenicity. Insertion of a neutralizing epitope (amino acids 17-36) from L2 of HPV16 and HPV31 into VP3 at positions 587 and 453, respectively, permitted assembly into empty AAV particles (AAVLP(HPV16/31L2)). Intramuscularly vaccination of mice and rabbits with AAVLP(HPV16/31L2)s in montanide adjuvant, induced high titers of HPV16 L2 antibodies as measured by ELISA. Sera obtained from animals vaccinated with the AAVLP(HPV16/31L2)s neutralized infections with several HPV types in a pseudovirion infection assay. Lyophilized AAVLP(HPV16/31L2) particles retained their immunogenicity upon reconstitution. Interestingly, vaccination of animals that were pre-immunized with AAV2--simulating the high prevalence of AAV2 antibodies in the population--even increased cross neutralization against HPV31, 45 and 58 types. Finally, passive transfer of rabbit antisera directed against AAVLP(HPV16/31L2)s protected na?ve mice from vaginal challenge with HPV16 pseudovirions. In conclusion, AAVLP(HPV16/31L2) particles have the potential as a broadly protective vaccine candidate regardless of prior exposure to AAV.     

The study of immunogenicity of the antigenic protein of high risk oncogenic type of the human papillomavirus HPV16 L1 produced in the plant expression system on the base of transgenic tomato

The immunogenicity of plant-made peroral vaccine against cervical cancer was studied in mice during 342 days after vaccination with the material of tomato fruits genetically transformed with HPV16 L1 ? 5′UTR TMV. The immune response was found on day 4 after vaccination in blood serum of vaccinated mice. On days 90–100, the rise to maximum value of the level of antibodies to HPV16 L1 was in the range of 500 ng of the standard antibodies to HPV16 L1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, United States). This level of antibodies was retained until the end of the study.     

Generation of neutralizing activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in serum by antibody gene transfer

Although several human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine approaches have elicited meaningful antigen-specific T-cell responses in animal models, no single vaccine candidate has engendered antibodies that broadly neutralize primary isolates of HIV type 1 (HIV-1). Thus, there remains a significant gap in the design of HIV vaccines. To address this issue, we exploited the existence of rare human monoclonal antibodies that have been isolated from HIV-infected individuals. Such antibodies neutralize a wide array of HIV-1 field isolates and have been shown to be effective in vivo. However, practical considerations preclude the use of antibody preparations as a prophylactic passive immunization strategy in large populations. Our concept calls for an antibody gene of choice to be transferred to muscle where the antibody molecule is synthesized and distributed to the circulatory system. In these experiments, we used a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector to deliver the gene for the human antibody IgG1b12 to mouse muscle. Significant levels of HIV-neutralizing activity were found in the sera of mice for over 6 months after a single intramuscular administration of the rAAV vector. This approach allows for predetermination of antibody affinity and specificity prior to "immunization" and avoids the need for an active humoral immune response against the HIV envelope protein.     

Adeno-associated virus type 2-mediated transduction of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells: implications for ex vivo immunotherapy

Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal antigen-presenting cells for regulating immune responses. A major focus of contemporary vaccine research is the genetic modification of DCs to express antigens or immunomodulatory molecules, utilizing a variety of viral and nonviral vectors, to induce antigen-specific immune responses that ameliorate disease states as diverse as malignancy, infection, autoimmunity, and allergy. The present study has evaluated adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 as a vector for ex vivo gene transfer to human peripheral blood monocyte (MO)-derived DCs. AAV is a nonpathogenic parvovirus that infects a wide variety of human cell lineages in vivo and in vitro, for long-term transgene expression without requirements for cell proliferation. The presented data demonstrate that recombinant AAV (rAAV) can efficiently transduce MOs as well as DCs generated by MO culture with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus interleukin in vitro. rAAV transgene expression in MO-derived DCs could be enhanced by etoposide, previously reported to enhance AAV gene expression. rAAV transduction of freshly purified MO followed by 7 days of culture with cytokines to generate DCs, and subsequent sorting for coexpression of DC markers CD1a and CD40, showed robust transgene expression as well as evidence of nuclear localization of the rAAV genome in the DC population. Phenotypic analyses using multiple markers and functional assays of one-way allogeneic mixed leukocyte reactions indicated that rAAV-transduced MO-derived DCs were as equivalent to nontransduced DCs. These results support the utility of rAAV vectors for future human DC vaccine studies.     

A pan-HPV vaccine based on bacteriophage PP7 VLPs displaying broadly cross-neutralizing epitopes from the HPV minor capsid protein, L2

Background

Current human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines that are based on virus-like particles (VLPs) of the major capsid protein L1 largely elicit HPV type-specific antibody responses. In contrast, immunization with the HPV minor capsid protein L2 elicits antibodies that are broadly cross-neutralizing, suggesting that a vaccine targeting L2 could provide more comprehensive protection against infection by diverse HPV types. However, L2-based immunogens typically elicit much lower neutralizing antibody titers than L1 VLPs. We previously showed that a conserved broadly neutralizing epitope near the N-terminus of L2 is highly immunogenic when displayed on the surface of VLPs derived from the bacteriophage PP7. Here, we report the development of a panel of PP7 VLP-based vaccines targeting L2 that protect mice from infection with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic HPV types that infect the genital tract and skin.

Methodology/Principal Findings

L2 peptides from eight different HPV types were displayed on the surface of PP7 bacteriophage VLPs. These recombinant L2 VLPs, both individually and in combination, elicited high-titer anti-L2 IgG serum antibodies. Immunized mice were protected from high dose infection with HPV pseudovirus (PsV) encapsidating a luciferase reporter. Mice immunized with 16L2 PP7 VLPs or 18L2 PP7 VLPs were nearly completely protected from both PsV16 and PsV18 challenge. Mice immunized with the mixture of eight L2 VLPs were strongly protected from genital challenge with PsVs representing eight diverse HPV types and cutaneous challenge with HPV5 PsV.

Conclusion/Significance

VLP-display of a cross-neutralizing HPV L2 epitope is an effective approach for inducing high-titer protective neutralizing antibodies and is capable of offering protection from a spectrum of HPVs associated with cervical cancer as well as genital and cutaneous warts.     

Development of prophylactic HPV vaccines

Since several years it has been accepted that persistent infection with certain (so called-high risk: HR) types of Human papillomaviruses (HPV) represents a strong risk factor for cervical cancer. The most frequent HR HPV types 16 and 18 account for about 70% of this tumour, which is the second most frequent malignancy in women worldwide. Several studies in animal papillomavirus models revealed that protection against infection is conferred by neutralizing antibodies directed against conformational epitopes of the major structural protein L1. Such antibodies can most efficiently be induced by immunization with virus-like particles (VLP) that assemble spontaneously following expression of L1 in recombinant vectors. Large-scale production of HPV 16 and 18 VLPs proved to be successful facilitating, a few years ago, first clinical trials on safety and immunogenicity. In the meantime more than 25,000 women have been included into several efficacy trials which demonstrated protection against persistent infection with HPV 16 and 18 and against the development of precursor lesions to cervical cancer. Although the ultimate proof of success, i.e. reduction of cancer incidence still requires the immunization of large populations and many years of follow-up, the existing data are so persuasive that the responsible agencies in several countries permitted the licensing of the first HPV vaccine in 2006. Several questions such as the duration of protection, the need development of for post-exposure vaccination strategies and availability of such vaccine in low-budget countries are open and will be discussed.     

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.     

Study of cell-mediated response in mice by HPV16 L1 virus-like particles expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The first vaccine against human papillomaviruses (HPV) formulated with HPV16 L1 virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in yeast was approved by the FDA in June 2006. Nevertheless, there have been few studies of the immunogenicity in mice of VLPs. In this study, we evaluated the cell-mediated immune response to VLPs produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After immunization of mice with HPV16 L1 VLPs, we measured splenocytes proliferation and the levels of IFNgamma, IL2, IL4, and IL5. Splenocytes proliferation was significantly increased and a mixed Th1/Th2 response was indicated. IgG subtype immunoresponses were strongly induced and IgG1 titers were higher than those of IgG2a.     

Sublingual Immunization of Trivalent Human Papillomavirus DNA Vaccine in Baculovirus Nanovector for Protection against Vaginal Challenge

Here, we report the immunogenicity of a sublingually delivered, trivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccine encapsidated in a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope-coated, nonreplicable, baculovirus nanovector. The HERV envelope-coated, nonreplicable, baculovirus-based DNA vaccine, encoding HPV16L1, -18L1 and -58L1 (AcHERV-triHPV), was constructed and sublingually administered to mice without adjuvant. Following sublingual (SL) administration, AcHERV-triHPV was absorbed and distributed throughout the body. At 15 minutes and 1 day post-dose, the distribution of AcHERV-triHPV to the lung was higher than that to other tissues. At 30 days post-dose, the levels of AcHERV-triHPV had diminished throughout the body. Six weeks after the first of three doses, 1×10⁸ copies of SL AcHERV-triHPV induced HPV type-specific serum IgG and neutralizing antibodies to a degree comparable to that of IM immunization with 1×10⁹ copies. AcHERV-triHPV induced HPV type-specific vaginal IgA titers in a dose-dependent manner. SL immunization with 1×10¹⁰ copies of AcHERV-triHPV induced Th1 and Th2 cellular responses comparable to IM immunization with 1×10⁹ copies. Molecular imaging revealed that SL AcHERV-triHPV in mice provided complete protection against vaginal challenge with HPV16, HPV18, and HPV58 pseudoviruses. These results support the potential of SL immunization using multivalent DNA vaccine in baculovirus nanovector for induction of mucosal, systemic, and cellular immune responses.     

A Vaccine of L2 Epitope Repeats Fused with a Modified IgG1 Fc Induced Cross-Neutralizing Antibodies and Protective Immunity against Divergent Human Papillomavirus Types

Current human papillomavirus (HPV) major capsid protein L1 virus-like particles (VLPs)-based vaccines in clinic induce strong HPV type-specific neutralizing antibody responses. To develop pan-HPV vaccines, here, we show that the fusion protein E3R4 consisting of three repeats of HPV16 L2 aa 17–36 epitope (E3) and a modified human IgG1 Fc scaffold (R4) induces cross-neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity against divergent HPV types. E3R4 was expressed as a secreted protein in baculovirus expression system and could be simply purified by one step Protein A affinity chromatography with the purity above 90%. Vaccination of E3R4 formulated with Freunds adjuvant not only induced cross-neutralizing antibodies against HPV pseudovirus types 16, 18, 45, 52, 58, 6, 11 and 5 in mice, but also protected mice against vaginal challenges with HPV pseudovirus types 16, 45, 52, 58, 11 and 5 for at least eleven months after the first immunization. Moreover, vaccination of E3R4 formulated with FDA approved adjuvant alum plus monophosphoryl lipid A also induced cross-neutralizing antibodies against HPV types 16, 18 and 6 in rabbits. Thus, our results demonstrate that delivery of L2 antigen as a modified Fc-fusion protein may facilitate pan-HPV vaccine development.     

Adeno-associated virus-based malaria booster vaccine following attenuated replication-competent vaccinia virus LC16m8Δ priming

We previously demonstrated that boosting with adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 1 (AAV1) can induce highly effective and long-lasting protective immune responses against malaria parasites when combined with replication-deficient adenovirus priming in a rodent model. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two different AAV serotypes, AAV1 and AAV5, as malaria booster vaccines following priming with the attenuated replication-competent vaccinia virus strain LC16m8Δ (m8Δ), which harbors the fusion gene encoding both the pre-erythrocytic stage protein, Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (PfCSP) and the sexual stage protein (Pfs25) in a two-dose heterologous prime-boost immunization regimen. Both regimens, m8Δ/AAV1 and m8Δ/AAV5, induced robust anti-PfCSP and anti-Pfs25 antibodies. To evaluate the protective efficacy, the mice were challenged with sporozoites twice after immunization. At the first sporozoite challenge, m8Δ/AAV5 achieved 100% sterile protection whereas m8Δ/AAV1 achieved 70% protection. However, at the second challenge, 100% of the surviving mice from the first challenge were protected in the m8Δ/AAV1 group whereas only 55.6% of those in the m8Δ/AAV5 group were protected. Regarding the transmission-blocking efficacy, we found that both immunization regimens induced high levels of transmission-reducing activity (>99%) and transmission-blocking activity (>95%). Our data indicate that the AAV5-based multistage malaria vaccine is as effective as the AAV1-based vaccine when administered following an m8Δ-based vaccine. These results suggest that AAV5 could be a viable alternate vaccine vector as a malaria booster vaccine.     

Immunogenicity of Bivalent Human Papillomavirus DNA Vaccine Using Human Endogenous Retrovirus Envelope-Coated Baculoviral Vectors in Mice and Pigs

Human papillomavirus is known to be the major pathogen of cervical cancer. Here, we report the efficacy of a bivalent human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 DNA vaccine system following repeated dosing in mice and pigs using a recombinant baculovirus bearing human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein (AcHERV) as a vector. The intramuscular administration of AcHERV-based HPV16L1 and HPV18L1 DNA vaccines induced antigen-specific serum IgG, vaginal IgA, and neutralizing antibodies to levels comparable to those achieved using the commercially marketed vaccine Cervarix. Similar to Cervarix, AcHERV-based bivalent vaccinations completely blocked subsequent vaginal challenge with HPV type-specific pseudovirions. However, AcHERV-based bivalent vaccinations induced significantly higher cell-mediated immune responses than Cervarix, promoting 4.5- (HPV16L1) and 3.9-(HPV18L1) fold higher interferon-γ production in splenocytes upon stimulation with antigen type-specific pseudovirions. Repeated dosing did not affect the immunogenicity of AcHERV DNA vaccines. Three sequential immunizations with AcHERV-HP18L1 DNA vaccine followed by three repeated dosing with AcHERV-HP16L1 over 11 weeks induced an initial production of anti-HPV18L1 antibody followed by subsequent induction of anti-HPV16L1 antibody. Finally, AcHERV-based bivalent DNA vaccination induced antigen-specific serum IgG immune responses in pigs. These results support the further development of AcHERV as a bivalent human papillomavirus DNA vaccine system for use in preventing the viral infection as well as treating the infected women by inducing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Moreover, the possibility of repeated dosing indicates the utility of AcHERV system for reusable vectors of other viral pathogen vaccines.     

Chimeric human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) L1 particles presenting the common neutralizing epitope for the L2 minor capsid protein of HPV-6 and HPV-16

Both the Human papillomavirus (HPV) major (L1) and minor (L2) capsid proteins have been well investigated as potential vaccine candidates. The L1 protein first oligomerizes into pentamers, and these capsomers assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) that are highly immunogenic. Here we examine the potential of using HPV type 16 (HPV-16) L1 subunits to display a well-characterized HPV-16 L2 epitope (LVEETSFIDAGAP), which is a common-neutralizing epitope for HPV types 6 and 16, in various regions of the L1 structure. The L2 sequence was introduced by PCR (by replacing 13 codons) into sequences coding for L1 surface loops D-E (chideltaC-L2), E-F (chideltaA-L2), and an internal loop C-D (chideltaH-L2); into the h4 helix (chideltaF-L2); and between h4 and beta-J structural regions (chideltaE-L2). The chimeric protein product was characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind to conformational and linear epitopes, as well as a polyclonal antiserum raised to the L2 epitope. All five chimeras reacted with the L2 serum. ChideltaA-L2, chideltaE-L2, and chideltaF-L2 reacted with all the L1 antibodies, chideltaC-L2 did not bind H16:V5 and H16:E70, and chideltaH-L2 did not bind any conformation-dependent MAb. The chimeric particles elicited high-titer anti-L1 immune responses in BALB/c mice. Of the five chimeras tested only chideltaH-L2 did not elicit an L2 response, while chideltaF-L2 elicited the highest L2 response. This study provides support for the use of PV particles as vectors to deliver various epitopes in a number of locations internal to the L1 protein and for the potential of using chimeric PV particles as multivalent vaccines. Moreover, it contributes to knowledge of the structure of HPV-16 L1 VLPs and their derivatives.     

Newcastle disease virus expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein induces strong mucosal and serum antibody responses in Guinea pigs

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is transmitted mainly through mucosal sites. Optimum strategies to elicit both systemic and mucosal immunity are critical for the development of vaccines against HIV-1. We therefore sought to evaluate the induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses by the use of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a vaccine vector. We generated a recombinant NDV, designated rLaSota/gp160, expressing the gp160 envelope (Env) protein of HIV-1 from an added gene. The gp160 protein expressed by rLaSota/gp160 virus was detected on an infected cell surface and was incorporated into the NDV virion. Biochemical studies showed that gp160 present in infected cells and in the virion formed a higher-order oligomer that retained recognition by conformationally sensitive monoclonal antibodies. Expression of gp160 did not increase the virulence of recombinant NDV (rNDV) strain LaSota. Guinea pigs were administered rLaSota/gp160 via the intranasal (i.n.) or intramuscular (i.m.) route in different prime-boost combinations. Systemic and mucosal antibody responses specific to the HIV-1 envelope protein were assessed in serum and vaginal washes, respectively. Two or three immunizations via the i.n. or i.m. route induced a more potent systemic and mucosal immune response than a single immunization by either route. Priming by the i.n. route was more immunogenic than by the i.m. route, and the same was true for the boosts. Furthermore, immunization with rLaSota/gp160 by any route or combination of routes induced a Th1-type response, as reflected by the induction of stronger antigen-specific IgG2a than IgG1 antibody responses. Additionally, i.n. immunization elicited a stronger neutralizing serum antibody response to laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strain MN.3. These data illustrate that it is feasible to use NDV as a vaccine vector to elicit potent humoral and mucosal responses to the HIV-1 envelope protein.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag-specific mucosal immunity after oral immunization with papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding gag

Mucosal surfaces are the primary portals for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Because systemic immunization, in general, does not induce effective mucosal immune responses, a mucosal HIV vaccine is urgently needed. For this study, we developed papillomavirus pseudoviruses that express HIV-1 Gag. The pseudoviruses are synthetic, nonreplicating viruses, yet they can produce antigens for a long time in the immune system. Here we show that oral immunization of mice by the use of papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding Gag generated mucosal and systemic Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes that effectively lysed Gag-expressing target cells. Furthermore, the pseudoviruses generated Gag-specific gamma interferon-producing T cells and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA. In contrast, oral immunization with plasmid DNA encoding HIV-1 Gag did not induce specific immune responses. Importantly, oral immunization with the pseudoviruses induced Gag-specific memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes and protected mice against a rectal mucosal challenge with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HIV-1 Gag. Thus, papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding Gag are a promising mucosal vaccine against AIDS.