Production of HPV16 capsid proteins in suspension cultures of human epithelial cells

Dirce Sakauchi *, Erica Akemi Kavati Sasaki, Fernanda de Oliveira Bou Anni and Aurora Marques Cianciarullo

Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, Av. Dr. Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 09(03), 258-268
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2021.9.3.0094
 
Publication history: 
Received on 06 February 2021; revised on 09 March 2021; accepted on 11 March 2021
 
Abstract: 
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. The virus is associated with benign warts and a broad spectrum of malignancies, including cervical cancer, considered a disease of high clinical relevance, especially in developing countries. In this study we developed the production of recombinant proteins HPV16 L1 and HPV16 L2 in human cells in suspension (293-F), which were transiently co-transfected with the pUF3L1h and pUF3L2h vectors.
Expressions of recombinant HPV16 L1 and L2 capsid proteins was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Both proteins were identified intracellularly in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. The presence of these heterologous proteins and VLPs formation were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) through colloidal gold immunolabeling and negative staining. Cell extracts containing recombinant proteins were purified by affinity chromatography and immunization of Balb/c mice with the formulation HPV16 L1/L2 VLPs containing adjuvant was able to induce higher titer of anti-HPV16 L1, when compared to HPV16 L2 antibodies by indirect ELISA assay. These data indicate that transient expression in 293-F cells was efficiently established. The results are promising for obtain recombinant proteins of the HPV capsid for future studies involving human papillomavirus, as well as to contribute for the development of other vaccine strategies for prevention against HPV.
 
Keywords: 
Human Papillomavirus; HPV, HPV16 L1/L2 VLP; Human Epithelial Cells; Cancer; Vaccine.
 
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