Vaccination with HPV16 L2E6E7 fusion protein in GPI-0100 adjuvant elicits protective humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract

A vaccine comprising human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) L2, E6 and E7 in a single tandem fusion protein (termed TA-CIN) has the potential advantages of both broad cross-protection against HPV transmission through induction of L2 antibodies able to cross neutralize different HPV types and of therapy by stimulating T cell responses targeting HPV16 early proteins. However, patients vaccinated with TA-CIN alone develop weak HPV neutralizing antibody and E6/E7-specific T cell responses. Here we test TA-CIN formulated along with the adjuvant GPI-0100, a semi-synthetic quillaja saponin analog that was developed to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses. Subcutaneous administration to mice of TA-CIN (20 microg) with 50microg GPI-0100, three times at biweekly intervals, elicited high titer HPV16 neutralizing serum antibody, robust neutralizing titers for other HPV16-related types, including HPV31 and HPV58, and neutralized to a lesser extent other genital mucosatropic papillomaviruses like HPV18, HPV45, HPV6 and HPV11. Notably, vaccination with TA-CIN in GPI-0100 protected mice from cutaneous HPV16 challenge as effectively as HPV16 L1 VLP without adjuvant. Formulation of TA-CIN with GPI-0100 enhanced the production of E7-specific, interferon gamma producing CD8(+) T cell precursors by 20-fold. Vaccination with TA-CIN in GPI-0100 also completely prevented tumor growth after challenge with 5x10(4) HPV16-transformed TC-1 tumor cells, whereas vaccination with TA-CIN alone delayed tumor growth. Furthermore, three monthly vaccinations with 125 microg of TA-CIN and 1000 microg GPI-0100 were well tolerated by pigtail macaques and induced both HPV16 E6/E7-specific T cell responses and serum antibodies that neutralized all HPV types tested.

• Authors: Balasubramanyam Karanam, Ratish Gambhira, Shiwen Peng, Subhashini Jagu, Dae-Jin Kim, Gary W Ketner, Peter L Stern, Robert J Adams, Richard B S Roden
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 27 Issue 7 Pg. 1040-9 (Feb 11 2009) ISSN: 0264-410X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 19095032 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Antibodies, Viral
• Capsid Proteins
• Cytokines
• E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
• GPI0100
• L2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
• Oncogene Proteins, Viral
• Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
• Papillomavirus Vaccines
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• Repressor Proteins
• Saponins
• oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Capsid Proteins (genetics, immunology)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunization, Secondary (methods)
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Macaca
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Neutralization Tests
• Oncogene Proteins, Viral (genetics, immunology)
• Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
• Papillomavirus Infections (prevention & control)
• Papillomavirus Vaccines (adverse effects, genetics, immunology)
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (administration & dosage, adverse effects, genetics, immunology)
• Repressor Proteins (genetics, immunology)
• Saponins (administration & dosage, pharmacology)