Viral recombinant vaccines to the E6 and E7 antigens of HPV-16

Most cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix are linked to persistent infections with human papillomaviruses (HPV), most notably HPV-16 or -18. Vaccine-induced immune responses to the HPV early antigens E6 and E7, which contribute to cell transformation and are thus expressed in these cervical cancers, could potentially eradicate malignant cells. We generated recombinant vaccines based on E1-deleted adenovirus human strain 5 or on vaccinia virus strain Copenhagen expressing either the E6 or E7 oncoproteins of HPV-16. The different vaccines were compared in two experimental mouse tumor models employing Balb/c or C57Bl/6 mice. Data presented here demonstrate that depending on the model either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells provide protection to tumor cell challenge, resulting in striking differences in the efficacy of the four vaccines under investigation.     

共表达HPV16型E6和E7突变基因重组痘苗病毒的构建及其抗肿瘤免疫效果的观察

目的：构建用于子宫颈癌治疗的HPV16型E6和E7重组痘苗病毒实验性疫苗株，并对其抗肿瘤免疫效果进行初步评价。方法：以痘苗病毒为载体、利用同源重组技术构建共表达HPV16 E6和E7基因的重组痘苗病毒。该病毒免疫C57BL／6小鼠后，检测其免疫原性和抗移植瘤生长情况。结果：PCR结果显示，重组病毒VmE6E7的TK基因内插入了分别由痘苗病毒早晚期启动子H6和7．5K表达的ME6和ME7－1基因。动物实验结果表明，rVmE6E7在C57BL／6小鼠体内可诱发E6和E7特异性抗体产生，被免疫小鼠能够抵抗HPV16 E6E7转化的同系肿瘤细胞的攻击。结论：获得1株用于宫颈癌治疗的HPV16型实验疫苗株，为进一步研制人用HPV16型疫苗株奠定了基础。     

Expression of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 gene induces DNA synthesis of rat 3Y1 cells

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) open reading frames (ORF) E6, E7, and E6E7, placed under the control of dexamethasone-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat, were introduced into rat 3Y1 cells, an immortalized fibroblast line, with the aid of neomycin-selection. The cell clones containing inducible HPV 16 ORFs were selected and examined for DNA synthesis. Following induction of HPV mRNA synthesis by the hormone, DNA synthesis was stimulated in the cells containing E7 or E6E7 ORFs. The data indicate that expression of the HPV 16 E7 gene is mitogenic for rat 3Y1 cells.     

Dissimilar immunogenicities of human papillomavirus E7 and adenovirus E1A proteins influence primary tumor development

Although human papillomaviruses (HPV) and adenoviruses (Ad) both transform cells by expressing functionally related oncogenes (Ad-E1A/E1B; HPV-E7/E6), only HPV are oncogenic in humans. Prior studies have shown that HPV-transformed cells are resistant to NK cell lysis and E7- and E6-specific CTL are inefficiently generated in women with HPV-induced cervical cancer. Therefore, we postulated that the dissimilar oncogenicities of Ad and HPV may be caused by a protective NK and T cell response that is triggered by transformed cells expressing E1A, but not by E7. To test this hypothesis, mice that were either immunologically intact, lacked T cells, or lacked both NK and T cells were challenged with Ad serotype 5 (Ad5)-E1A- or HPV16-E7-transfected tumor cells. E7-expressing tumor cells were resistant to NK cell lysis in vitro and failed to elicit a measurable anti-tumor NK or T cell response in vivo. The concomitant expression of E6 did not change this phenotype. In contrast, E1A-expressing tumor cells were sensitive to NK lysis in vitro and triggered a protective NK and T cell immune response in vivo. These data suggest differences in the capacities of E1A or E7 oncoproteins to trigger protective anti-tumor immune responses may contribute to the dissimilar oncogenicities of Ad and HPV in humans.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E6E7 ORF转化作用的研究

构建了含人乳头瘤病毒１６型（ＨＰＶ１６）－Ｅ６Ｅ７ＯＲＦｓ（ｎｔ８３－８５５）片段和ＨＰＶ１６长控制区（ＬＣＲ）加Ｅ６Ｅ７ＯＲＦｓ片段（ｎｔ７００７－７９０４／０－８７９）的逆转录病毒载体ｐＨ２１和ｐＨ１８质粒，利用Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ分别将它们导入病毒包装细胞ｐＡ３１７中，经过筛选获得Ｇ４１８抗性的病毒包装细胞，产生的重组病毒Ｈ２１和Ｈ１８感染的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞都具有恶性细胞的形态学特征，并能在裸鼠体内形成肿瘤。Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交结果证明，上述两基因片段都整合到细胞基因组中。本实验结果说明ＨＰＶ１６－Ｅ６Ｅ７基因片段是ＨＰＶ１６转化ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞的关键早期区，其自身ＬＣＲ区在该转化过程中没有显示出重要作用。     

表达HPV18E7E6的重组痘苗病毒构建及免疫效果的初步研究

目的 构建表达HPV18E7E6融合蛋白的重组痘苗病毒,并对E7E6蛋白的免疫原性进行研究.方法 将去除了转化活性的HPV18E6、E7基因融合,插入痘苗病毒重组质粒,通过同源重组构建表达HPV18E7E6的重组痘苗病毒,观察其免疫效果.结果 构建了表达E7E6融合蛋白的重组痘苗病毒,PCR鉴定及测序表明融合基因序列与设计相符,正确插入到痘苗病毒TK区域;Western-Blot检测表明该重组病毒能表达HPV18E7E6融合蛋白.免疫后的小鼠可产生E6、E7特异性抗体,但ELISPOT没检测到E7肽库刺激小鼠脾细胞产生分泌IFN-丫的阳性反应.结论 构建了一株表达HPV18E7E6融合蛋白的重组痘苗病毒,可以有效诱发小鼠产生针对E6、E7的体液免疫,但不能诱发产生相应的细胞免疫,为进一步研究不同动物模型中HPV18E6E7的细胞免疫特点提供了实验基础.     

含人乳头瘤病毒16型E6E7反意基因的假型逆转录病毒对人乳头瘤病毒16型转化细胞生长的抑制作用

构建了一个含人乳头瘤病毒１６型Ｅ６Ｅ７反意基因片断的逆转录病毒载体ｐＨ１９。用Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ将ｐＨ１９导入病毒包装细胞ｐＡ３１７，使之产生假型逆转录病毒Ｈ１９。Ｈ１９病毒感染人乳头瘤病毒１６型转化的细胞后，使转化细胞的生长速率和裸鼠体内形成肿瘤的能力均明显下降。     

Identification of a naturally processed HLA A0201-restricted viral peptide from cells expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E6 oncoprotein

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA encoding the oncogenic proteins E6 and E7 is usually retained in cervical carcinomas, implicating these proteins as potential target antigens for immune recognition in this virally associated tumor. We have characterized endogenously processed peptides eluted from major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia expressing the HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein. The reverse-phase chromatography profile of peptides eluted from isolated HLA-A0201 molecules in cells expressing the E6 oncoprotein differs from that of cells not expressing E6. Sequential Edman degradation of novel peaks found in the peptide profiles from cells expressing HPV-16 E6 led to the identification of a naturally processed HLA-A0201-restricted E6 peptide of sequence KLPQLCTEL. This approach has allowed the identification of a viral peptide which is processed and presented by cells expressing the E6 oncoprotein and is a likely target for cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition in HLA-A0201-positive patients.     

共表达HPV16L1、L2、E6、E7蛋白的重组非复制型痘苗病毒构建及鉴定

目的构建共表达人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16)L1、L2、E6、E7蛋白的非复制型重组痘苗病毒人用疫苗株。方法以痘苗病毒为载体、利用同源重组技术筛选共表达HPV16L1、L2、E6、E7蛋白的重组痘苗病毒并对其进行鉴定。结果该病毒在CEF细胞上连续传至第15代,经斑点杂交结果表明重组病毒基因组中有L1、L2、E6、E7基因插入;经WesternBlot检测,重组病毒能稳定表达HPV16L1、L2、E6、E7蛋白。结论非复制型重组痘苗病毒NTVJE6E7CKL1L2可作为预防和治疗HPV16相关肿瘤及其癌前病变候选疫苗。     

Human papillomavirus 16 E5 induces bi-nucleated cell formation by cell-cell fusion

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) 16 is a DNA virus encoding three oncogenes — E5, E6, and E7. The E6 and E7 proteins have well-established roles as inhibitors of tumor suppression, but the contribution of E5 to malignant transformation is controversial. Using spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), we demonstrate that expression of HPV16 E5 is necessary and sufficient for the formation of bi-nucleated cells, a common characteristic of precancerous cervical lesions. Expression of E5 from non-carcinogenic HPV6b does not produce bi-nucleate cells. Video microscopy and biochemical analyses reveal that bi-nucleates arise through cell-cell fusion. Although most E5-induced bi-nucleates fail to propagate, co-expression of HPV16 E6/E7 enhances the proliferation of these cells. Expression of HPV16 E6/E7 also increases bi-nucleated cell colony formation. These findings identify a new role for HPV16 E5 and support a model in which complementary roles of the HPV16 oncogenes lead to the induction of carcinogenesis.     

Primary human cervical carcinoma cells require human papillomavirus E6 and E7 expression for ongoing proliferation

Repression of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes in established cervical carcinoma cell lines causes senescence due to reactivation of cellular tumor suppressor pathways. Here, we determined whether ongoing expression of HPV16 or HPV18 oncogenes is required for the proliferation of primary human cervical carcinoma cells in serum-free conditions at low passage number after isolation from patients. We used an SV40 viral vector expressing the bovine papillomavirus E2 protein to repress E6 and E7 in these cells. To enable efficient SV40 infection and E2 gene delivery, we first incubated the primary cervical cancer cells with the ganglioside GM1, a cell-surface receptor for SV40 that is limiting in these cells. Repression of HPV in primary cervical carcinoma cells caused them to undergo senescence, but the E2 protein had little effect on HPV-negative primary cells. These data suggest that E6 and E7 dependence is an inherent property of human cervical cancer cells.     

人乳头状瘤病毒16型与促癌物TPA协同作用诱发人胚口腔细胞恶性转化研究

目的 研究人乳头状瘤病毒16型(HPVl6)与TPA(12-O-tetradecanog 1phorbo1-13-acetate)协同作用在scid小鼠体内诱发人胚口腔细胞的恶性转化。方法 制备包装含有HPV 16 E6／E7基因的逆转录病毒，用此病毒感染人胚口腔粘膜，将组织块接种于scid小鼠右侧肩部皮下，共分为4组：实验组为感染病毒的口腔粘膜和TPA，共接种8只小鼠；病毒组为感染病毒的口腔粘膜，共接种6只小鼠；促癌组为正常口腔粘膜和TPA，共接种6只小鼠；对照组为正常口腔粘膜，共接种5只小鼠。于接种第3日起在左侧肩部皮下注射TPA，每周一次。观察16周后处死动物，对瘤组织进行病理诊断，并作聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测HPV 16 E6／E7基因。结果 实验组成瘤率为7／8，其他3组成瘤率皆为0／6、0／6、0／5,，实验组肿瘤组织的病理学检查结果证实为生长活跃的纤维组织细胞瘤，在肿瘤组织中用PCR检测到HPV 16 E6／E7基因。结论 口腔细胞在感染含有HPV 16 E6／E7基因的逆转录病毒后，在TPA作用下可以发生恶性转化。     

Expression of HPV16 E5 produces enlarged nuclei and polyploidy through endoreplication

Anogenital cancers and head and neck cancers are causally associated with infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). The mechanism by which high-risk HPVs contribute to oncogenesis is poorly understood. HPV16 encodes three genes (HPV16 E5, E6, and E7) that can transform cells when expressed independently. HPV16 E6 and E7 have well-described roles causing genomic instability and unregulated cell cycle progression. The role of HPV16 E5 in cell transformation remains to be elucidated. Expression of HPV16 E5 results in enlarged, polyploid nuclei that are dependent on the level and duration of HPV16 E5 expression. Live cell imaging data indicate that these changes do not arise from cell-cell fusion or failed cytokinesis. The increase in nuclear size is a continual process that requires DNA synthesis. We conclude that HPV16 E5 produces polyploid cells by endoreplication. These findings provide insight into how HPV16 E5 can contribute to cell transformation.     

Functional dissociation of transforming genes of human papillomavirus type 16

Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is thought to be responsible for development of cervical carcinomas, but the mechanism of its carcinogenic action is unknown. To determine which viral genes are involved in cellular transformation, we constructed recombinant murine retrovirus DNAs containing various subgenomic fragments of the HPV 16 early region and examined their transforming activities. The results show that the E6 and E7 ORFs are the transforming genes of HPV 16; the former governs the tumorigenicity in nude mice and the latter influences cell growth properties such as saturation density and colony formation in soft agar. There may also be a tumor-suppressing gene in the E1-E2 ORF region, because the tumorigenic activity of recombinant DNA containing the E1 ORF and the 5' portion of the E2 ORF in addition to the E6 and E7 ORFs was much lower than that of recombinant DNA containing only the E6 and E7 ORFs.     

Progression of rat embryo fibroblast cells immortalized with transforming genes of human papillomavirus type 16.

To clarify the mechanism of cell transformation by human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), we constructed recombinant murine retroviruses containing various subgenomic fragments of the HPV16 early region and examined their abilities to transform rat fibroblasts in primary culture. The E7 ORF, but not the E6 ORF, immortalized cells in primary culture, but the recombinant retrovirus containing both the E6 and E7 ORFs did not transform them. However, after long-term cultivation of cells immortalized by E6 and E7 ORFs, some cells became transformed. During this progression, the amounts of viral mRNA and E7 protein did not change and virus rescued from progressed cells could not transform cells in primary culture, suggesting that some changes in cellular genes, but not viral genes, cause malignant progression of immortalized cells. During this process, the expression of c-K-ras mRNA and its product increased but that of c-myc mRNA did not.     

Cervical keratinocytes containing stably replicating extrachromosomal HPV-16 are refractory to transformation by oncogenic H-Ras

Ras expression in human epithelial cells with integrated HPV genomes has been shown to cause tumorigenic transformation. The effects of Ras in cells representing early stage HPV-associated disease (i.e., when HPV is extrachromosomal and the oncogenes are under control of native promoters) have not been examined. Here, we used human cervical keratinocyte cell lines containing stably replicating extrachromosomal HPV-16 and present the novel finding that these cells resist transformation by oncogenic H-Ras. Ras expression consistently diminished anchorage-independent growth (AI), reduced E6 and E7 expression, and caused p53 induction in these cells. Conversely, AI was enhanced or maintained in Ras-transduced cervical cells that were immortalized with a 16E6/E7 retrovirus, and minimal effects on E6 and E7 expression were observed. Ras expression with either episomal HPV-16 or LXSN-E6/E7 was insufficient for tumorigenic growth suggesting that other events are needed for tumorigenic transformation. In conclusion, our results indicate that Ras-mediated transformation depends on the context of HPV oncogene expression and that this is an important point to address when developing HPV tumor models.     

Human papillomavirus causes an angiogenic switch in keratinocytes which is sufficient to alter endothelial cell behavior

One of the requirements for tumor growth is the ability to recruit a blood supply, a process known as angiogenesis. Angiogenesis begins early in the progression of cervical disease from mild to severe dysplasia and on to invasive cancer. We have previously reported that expression of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 (HPV16 E6E7) proteins in primary foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) decreases expression of two inhibitors and increases expression of two angiogenic inducers [Toussaint-Smith, E., Donner, D.B., Roman, A., 2004. Expression of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins in primary foreskin keratinocytes is sufficient to alter the expression of angiogenic factors. Oncogene 23, 2988-2995]. Here we report that HPV-induced early changes in the keratinocyte phenotype are sufficient to alter endothelial cell behavior both in vitro and in vivo. Conditioned media from HPV16 E6E7 expressing HFKs as well as from human cervical keratinocytes containing the intact HPV16 were able to stimulate proliferation and migration of human microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, introduction of the conditioned media into immunocompetent mice using a Matrigel plug model resulted in a clear angiogenic response. These novel data support the hypothesis that HPV proteins contribute not only to the uncontrolled keratinocyte growth seen following HPV infection but also to the angiogenic response needed for tumor formation.