Therapeutic potential of an AcHERV-HPV L1 DNA vaccine

J Microbiol. 2015 Jun;53(6):415-20. doi: 10.1007/s12275-015-5150-0. Epub 2015 May 30.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is strongly associated with chronic human papillomavirus infections, among which HPV16 is the most common. Two commercial HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix are effective for preventing HPV infection, but cannot be used to treat existing HPV infections. Previously, we developed a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-enveloped recombinant baculovirus capable of delivering the L1 genes of HPV types 16, 18, and 58 (AcHERV-HP16/18/58L1, AcHERV-HPV). Intramuscular administration of AcHERVHPV vaccines induced a strong cellular immune response as well as a humoral immune response. In this study, to examine the therapeutic effect of AcHERV-HPV in a mouse model, we established an HPV16 L1 expressing tumor cell line. Compared to Cervarix, immunization with AcHERVHPV greatly enhanced HPV16 L1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in C57BL/6 mice. Although vaccination could not remove preexisting tumors, strong CTL activity retarded the growth of inoculated tumor cells. These results indicate that AcHERV-HPV could serve as a potential therapeutic DNA vaccine against concurrent infection with HPV 16, 18, and 58.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / immunology
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Drug Carriers
  • HPV L1 protein, Human papillomavirus
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • Vaccines, DNA