1
|
Tîrziu A, Avram S, Madă L, Crișan-Vida M, Popovici C, Popovici D, Faur C, Duda-Seiman C, Păunescu V, Vernic C. Design of a Synthetic Long Peptide Vaccine Targeting HPV-16 and -18 Using Immunoinformatic Methods. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1798. [PMID: 37513985 PMCID: PMC10384861 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide. Despite the availability of three prophylactic vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLP) of the major capsid protein (L1), these vaccines are unable to clear an existing infection. Such infected persons experience an increased risk of neoplastic transformation. To overcome this problem, this study proposes an alternative synthetic long peptide (SLP)-based vaccine for persons already infected, including those with precancerous lesions. This new vaccine was designed to stimulate both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, providing a robust and long-lasting immune response. The SLP construct includes both HLA class I- and class II-restricted epitopes, identified from IEDB or predicted using NetMHCPan and NetMHCIIPan. None of the SLPs were allergenic nor toxic, based on in silico studies. Population coverage studies provided 98.18% coverage for class I epitopes and 99.81% coverage for class II peptides in the IEDB world population's allele set. Three-dimensional structure ab initio prediction using Rosetta provided good quality models, which were assessed using PROCHECK and QMEAN4. Molecular docking with toll-like receptor 2 identified potential intrinsic TLR2 agonist activity, while molecular dynamics studies of SLPs in water suggested good stability, with favorable thermodynamic properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tîrziu
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Speranța Avram
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Leonard Madă
- Syonic SRL, Grigore T Popa Street, No. 81, 300254 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihaela Crișan-Vida
- Department of Automation and Computers, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Casiana Popovici
- Section of Bioinformatics, Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dan Popovici
- Department of Mathematics, University of the West Timişoara, Bd. Vasile Pârvan No. 4, 300223 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Cosmin Faur
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", Dropiei Street, No. 7, sc B, ap 8, 300661 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Duda-Seiman
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of Timisoara, 16 Pestalozzi, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Gene and Cellular Therapies in the Treatment of Cancer Timisoara-OncoGen, Clinical Emergency County Hospital "Pius Brinzeu" Timisoara, No. 156 Liviu Rebreanu, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies Center, Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, No. 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Vernic
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Discipline of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pellom ST, Smalley Rumfield C, Morillon YM, Roller N, Poppe LK, Brough DE, Sabzevari H, Schlom J, Jochems C. Characterization of recombinant gorilla adenovirus HPV therapeutic vaccine PRGN-2009. JCI Insight 2021; 6:141912. [PMID: 33651712 PMCID: PMC8119209 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.141912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There are approximately 44,000 cases of human papillomavirus-associated (HPV-associated) cancer each year in the United States, most commonly caused by HPV types 16 and 18. Prophylactic vaccines successfully prevent healthy people from acquiring HPV infections via HPV-specific antibodies. In order to treat established HPV-associated malignancies, however, new therapies are necessary. Multiple recombinant gorilla adenovirus HPV vaccine constructs were evaluated in NSG-β2m-/- peripheral blood mononuclear cell-humanized mice bearing SiHa, a human HPV16+ cervical tumor, and/or in the syngeneic HPV16+ TC-1 model. PRGN-2009 is a therapeutic gorilla adenovirus HPV vaccine containing multiple cytotoxic T cell epitopes of the viral oncoproteins HPV 16/18 E6 and E7, including T cell enhancer agonist epitopes. PRGN-2009 treatment reduced tumor volume and increased CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment of humanized mice bearing the human cervical tumor SiHa. PRGN-2009 monotherapy in the syngeneic TC-1 model also reduced tumor volumes and weights, generated high levels of HPV16 E6-specific T cells, and increased multifunctional CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. These studies provide the first evaluation to our knowledge of a therapeutic gorilla adenovirus HPV vaccine, PRGN-2009, showing promising preclinical antitumor efficacy and induction of HPV-specific T cells, along with the rationale for its evaluation in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T. Pellom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claire Smalley Rumfield
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Y. Maurice Morillon
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas Roller
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa K. Poppe
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Caroline Jochems
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Panahi HA, Bolhassani A, Javadi G, Noormohammadi Z, Agi E. Development of multiepitope therapeutic vaccines against the most prevalent high-risk human papillomaviruses. Immunotherapy 2020; 12:459-479. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Our goal was the development of DNA- or peptide-based multiepitope vaccines targeting HPV E7, E6 and E5 oncoproteins in tumor mouse model. Materials & methods: After designing the multiepitope E7, E6 and E5 constructs from four types of high risk HPVs (16, 18, 31 & 45) using bioinformatics tools, mice vaccination was performed by different homologous and heterologous modalities in a prophylactic setting. Then, anti-tumor effects of the best prophylactic strategies were studied in a therapeutic setting. Results: In both prophylactic and therapeutic experiments, groups receiving homologous E7+E6+E5 polypeptide, and heterologous E7+E6+E5 DNA prime/polypeptide boost were successful in complete rejection of tumors. Conclusion: The designed multiepitope constructs can be considered as promising candidates to develop effective therapeutic HPV vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Ali Panahi
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Javadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Noormohammadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Agi
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molecular Docking Analysis of 120 Potential HPV Therapeutic Epitopes Using a New Analytical Method. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09985-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
5
|
Panahi HA, Bolhassani A, Javadi G, Noormohammadi Z. A comprehensive in silico analysis for identification of therapeutic epitopes in HPV16, 18, 31 and 45 oncoproteins. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205933. [PMID: 30356257 PMCID: PMC6200245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a group of circular double-stranded DNA viruses, showing severe tropism to mucosal tissues. A subset of HPVs, especially HPV16 and 18, are the primary etiological cause for several epithelial cell malignancies, causing about 5.2% of all cancers worldwide. Due to the high prevalence and mortality, HPV-associated cancers have remained as a significant health problem in human society, making an urgent need to develop an effective therapeutic vaccine against them. Achieving this goal is primarily dependent on the identification of efficient tumor-associated epitopes, inducing a robust cell-mediated immune response. Previous information has shown that E5, E6, and E7 early proteins are responsible for the induction and maintenance of HPV-associated cancers. Therefore, the prediction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I T cell epitopes of HPV16, 18, 31 and 45 oncoproteins was targeted in this study. For this purpose, a two-step plan was designed to identify the most probable CD8+ T cell epitopes. In the first step, MHC-I and II binding, MHC-I processing, MHC-I population coverage and MHC-I immunogenicity prediction analyses, and in the second step, MHC-I and II protein-peptide docking, epitope conservation, and cross-reactivity with host antigens’ analyses were carried out successively by different tools. Finally, we introduced five probable CD8+ T cell epitopes for each oncoprotein of the HPV genotypes (60 epitopes in total), which obtained better scores by an integrated approach. These predicted epitopes are valuable candidates for in vitro or in vivo therapeutic vaccine studies against the HPV-associated cancers. Additionally, this two-step plan that each step includes several analyses to find appropriate epitopes provides a rational basis for DNA- or peptide-based vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Ali Panahi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Gholamreza Javadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Noormohammadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsang KY, Fantini M, Fernando RI, Palena C, David JM, Hodge JW, Gabitzsch ES, Jones FR, Schlom J. Identification and characterization of enhancer agonist human cytotoxic T-cell epitopes of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6/E7. Vaccine 2017; 35:2605-2611. [PMID: 28389098 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with the etiology of cervical carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and several other cancer types. Vaccines directed against HPV virus-like particles and coat proteins have been extremely successful in the prevention of cervical cancer through the activation of host HPV-specific antibody responses; however, HPV-associated cancers remain a major public health problem. The development of a therapeutic vaccine will require the generation of T-cell responses directed against early HPV proteins (E6/E7) expressed in HPV-infected tumor cells. Clinical studies using various vaccine platforms have demonstrated that both HPV-specific human T cells can be generated and patient benefit can be achieved. However, no HPV therapeutic vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to date. One method of enhancing the potential efficacy of a therapeutic vaccine is the generation of agonist epitopes. We report the first description of enhancer cytotoxic T lymphocyte agonist epitopes for HPV E6 and E7. While the in silico algorithm revealed six epitopes with potentially improved binding to human leukocyte antigen-A2 allele (HLA-A2)-Class I, 5/6 demonstrated enhanced binding to HLA-Class I in cell-based assays and only 3/6 had a greater ability to activate HPV-specific T cells which could lyse tumor cells expressing native HPV, compared to their native epitope counterparts. These agonist epitopes have potential for use in a range of HPV therapeutic vaccine platforms and for use in HPV-specific adoptive T- or natural killer-cell platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwong Y Tsang
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Massimo Fantini
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Romaine I Fernando
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Claudia Palena
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Justin M David
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Frank R Jones
- Etubics Corporation, 41 West Harrison Street, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98119, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Devaraj K, Gillison ML, Wu TC. Development of HPV Vaccines for HPV-associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 14:345-62. [PMID: 14530303 DOI: 10.1177/154411130301400505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
High-risk genotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV type 16, are found in a distinct subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Thus, these HPV-associated HNSCC may be prevented or treated by vaccines designed to induce appropriate HPV virus-specific immune responses. Infection by HPV may be prevented by neutralizing antibodies specific for the viral capsid proteins. In clinical trials, vaccines comprised of HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) have shown great promise as prophylactic HPV vaccines. However, given that capsid proteins are not expressed at detectable levels by infected basal keratinocytes, vaccines with therapeutic potential must target other non-structural viral antigens. Two HPV oncogenic proteins, E6 and E7, are important in the induction and maintenance of cellular transformation and are co-expressed in the majority of HPV-containing carcinomas. Therefore, therapeutic vaccines targeting these proteins may have potential to control HPV-associated malignancies. Various candidate therapeutic HPV vaccines are currently being tested whereby E6 and/or E7 is administered in live vectors, in peptides or protein, in nucleic acid form, as components of chimeric VLPs, or in cell-based vaccines. Encouraging results from experimental vaccination systems in animal models have led to several prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine clinical trials. Should they fulfill their promise, these vaccines may prevent HPV infection or control its potentially life-threatening consequences in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana Devaraj
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross Building 512, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Steller
- Program in Women's Oncology, Women and Infants' Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island; St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02135-2997
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mapping of cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes in E7 antigen of human papillomavirus type 11. Arch Dermatol Res 2008; 300:235-42. [PMID: 18299861 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-008-0837-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2007] [Revised: 01/17/2008] [Accepted: 01/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
One of the critical steps in the progression to condyloma acuminatum (CA) is the establishment of a persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, majority of HPV type 6 and 11. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), which can be induced by the epitope-based peptides in vitro, are thought to be able to recognize and destroy virus-infected cells. In order to screen and identify HLA-A*0201 restricted HPV-11E7 CTL epitopes, five epitope peptides and tetramers were selected including HPV-11E7 7-15 (TLKDIVLDL), 15-23 (LQPPDPVGL), 47-55 (PLTQHYQIL), 81-89 (DLLLGTLNI) and 82-90 (LLLGTLNIV). Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from HLA-A*0201 healthy individuals were pulsed with these peptides to assess the expression of CD83, CD86, HLA-DR and the secretion of IL-12. The ability of peptide-loaded mature DCs to activate autologous T cells was evaluated by analyzing the frequency of specific tetramer(+) CD8(+) T cells using flow cytometry, and the level of IFN-gamma secretion by ELISA. The ability of the epitope-specific CTLs to kill the target cells was also analysed. It was found that the immature DCs could be fully activated by all the five HPV-11E7 peptides and peptide-loaded mature DCs were able to stimulate the epitope-specific T cells in vitro. There was an increased frequency of CD8(+) T cells specific for the E7 7-15 epitope when compared to other four predicted epitopes of HPV-11E7 (P < 0.05). The epitope-specific CTLs for E7 7-15 induced the strongest cytotoxicity to HPV-11E7 expressing cell line at an E:T ratio of 50:1 (P < 0.05). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that E7 7-15 (TLKDIVLDL) is an HLA-A*0201-restricted CTL epitope of HPV type 11. We propose that this epitope could be more helpful in the characterization of HPV control mechanism and be useful for the development of immunotherapeutic approaches for low-risk HPV infectious diseases such as CA.
Collapse
|
10
|
McCarthy C, Youde SJ, Man S. Definition of an HPV18/45 cross-reactive human T-cell epitope after DNA immunisation of HLA-A2/KB transgenic mice. Int J Cancer 2006; 118:2514-21. [PMID: 16353149 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 are the most common types associated with cervical cancer worldwide, other related HPV types such as HPV 35, 45 and 58 have significant prevalence in geographically distinct populations. For development of global prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine strategies, it is important to study immune responses against these viruses and to define the degree of cross-reactivity between related HPV types. To investigate the potential for T cell cross-reactivity after vaccination, HLA-A2/Kb transgenic mice were immunised with DNA plasmid constructs containing HPV18 and 45 E6 and E7. Splenocytes from immunised mice were tested in direct ELIspot assays against overlapping pools of HPV 18 peptides. Immunisation with either HPV18 or HPV45 E6 DNA produced dominant T cell responses against an epitope (KCIDFYSRI) that was shared between HPV18 and HPV45. This peptide was shown to bind to HLA-A*0201 but not Db or Kb molecules on the cell surface. Furthermore this peptide was shown to be immunogenic in vitro to human T cells from 2 out of 3 HLA-A2+ healthy donors. Collectively, these results demonstrate that HPV 18 and 45 E6 DNA vaccines are immunogenic in mice and demonstrate that cross-reactive T cell responses against closely related HPV types can be induced in vivo. The use of the HLA-A2/Kb transgenic mice allowed definition of an HLA-A*0201 binding peptide epitope that would have been rejected on the basis of predicted major histocompatibility complex binding affinity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinna McCarthy
- Tumour Immunology Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Guan P, Doytchinova IA, Walshe VA, Borrow P, Flower DR. Analysis of peptide-protein binding using amino acid descriptors: prediction and experimental verification for human histocompatibility complex HLA-A0201. J Med Chem 2006; 48:7418-25. [PMID: 16279801 DOI: 10.1021/jm0505258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amino acid descriptors are often used in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis of proteins and peptides. In the present study, descriptors were used to characterize peptides binding to the human MHC allele HLA-A0201. Two sets of amino acid descriptors were chosen: 93 descriptors taken from the amino acid descriptor database AAindex and the z descriptors defined by Wold and Sandberg. Variable selection techniques (SIMCA, genetic algorithm, and GOLPE) were applied to remove redundant descriptors. Our results indicate that QSAR models generated using five z descriptors had the highest predictivity and explained variance (q2 between 0.6 and 0.7 and r2 between 0.6 and 0.9). Further to the QSAR analysis, 15 peptides were synthesized and tested using a T2 stabilization assay. All peptides bound to HLA-A0201 well, and four peptides were identified as high-affinity binders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Guan
- Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, Compton, Berkshire RG20 7NN, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Screening of HLA-A2 restricted CTL epitopes using molecular simulation. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03183987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
13
|
Castellanos MR, Hayes RL, Maiman MA. Synthetic peptides induce a cytotoxic response against human papillomavirus type-18. Gynecol Oncol 2001; 82:77-83. [PMID: 11426965 DOI: 10.1006/gyno.2001.6205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Over 90% of cervical carcinomas express human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 proteins. These unique antigens are ideal targets for the development of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) for antitumor immunotherapy. In this study we identify peptides from HPV-18 E6 and E7 proteins that bind to HLA class I molecules. We further show that these peptides are able to induce peptide-specific CTL from an HLA-A2-positive (+) peripheral blood donor in vitro. METHODS A computer-assisted algorithm was devised to identify peptides from HPV-18 E6 and E7 proteins that bind to HLA-A2 molecules. Peptides that were predicted to bind were synthesized and their binding activity was determined. HLA-A2(+) irradiated stimulator cells pulsed with HPV-18 peptides were incubated with HLA-A2(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cytotoxicity assays were performed to assess specific cell lysis. RESULTS Of 295 possible sequences, the computer-assisted algorithm predicted 10 peptides that would have a high probability of binding to HLA-A2. The 4 strongest binding peptides were analyzed for their ability to induce cytotoxic cells against HPV-18 peptide-pulsed targets. Two of the peptides induced significant lysis. CONCLUSIONS There are limited data on peptide-based immunotherapy for HPV-18(+) tumors. The combination of our computer-assisted algorithm and binding assay permits rapid selection of potential CTL epitopes. We identified two peptides that were able to induce peptide-specific lysis. These two epitopes are candidates for a peptide-based vaccine against HPV-18(+) tumors. The model described has broad applications and can be used in the development of immunotherapy for other types of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M R Castellanos
- Department of Medicine, Nalitt Institute for Cancer and Blood Related Diseases, Staten Island, New York, 10305, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Da Silva DM, Eiben GL, Fausch SC, Wakabayashi MT, Rudolf MP, Velders MP, Kast WM. Cervical cancer vaccines: emerging concepts and developments. J Cell Physiol 2001; 186:169-82. [PMID: 11169454 DOI: 10.1002/1097-4652(200102)186:2<169::aid-jcp1023>3.0.co;2-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Certain human cancers are linked to infection by oncogenic viruses that are able to cause transformation of the normal host cell into a cancerous cell. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and expression of viral transforming proteins are found in virtually all cervical cancer cells, indicating an important role of this virus in the pathogenesis of the disease. Evidence exists that the immune response to cancer cells can play a major role in determining the outcome of disease. The fact that HPV is a necessary cause for cervical cancer provides a clear opportunity to develop a therapeutic vaccine against the virus to treat patients with cervical cancer at its early and late stages. Development of a prophylactic vaccine for HPV would also reduce the incidence of cervical neoplasias by preventing virus infection. Various candidate HPV vaccines are being developed and tested in animal models and/or in human clinical trials. These HPV vaccines, both preventive and therapeutic, are the subjects of this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D M Da Silva
- Cancer Immunology Program, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 First Avenue, Maywood, Illinois 60143, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Azoury-Ziadeh R, Herd K, Fernando GJ, Frazer IH, Tindle RW. T-helper epitopes identified within the E6 transforming protein of cervical cancer-associated human papillomavirus type 16. Viral Immunol 2000; 12:297-312. [PMID: 10630789 DOI: 10.1089/vim.1999.12.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The E6 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16 E6) produced by tumor cells of HPV16-associated cervical carcinoma is poorly immunogenic in patients, but nonetheless is a tumor-specific antigen to which therapeutic vaccine strategies may be directed. To investigate the subunit immunogenicity of E6 protein at the T-helper cell level, we immunized mice with overlapping peptides spanning the entire 158 amino acid sequence. Two peptides recalled a proliferative response in lymph node cells (LNC) from C57BL/6 (H-2b)-immunized mice. One of these peptides also recalled proliferative responses in the context of 5/5 other major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II haplotypes, indicating a "promiscuous" T-epitope. Minimal consensus motif analysis identified the epitopes as 60VYRDGNPYA68 and 98GYNKPLCDLL107. LNC from mice immunized with T-epitope proliferated in response to challenge with whole E6 protein. Immunization with E6 T-epitopes linked to B-epitopes of HPV16 E7 protein elicited specific antibody indicating that T-cells recognizing the T-epitopes provided cognate "help" for B-cells. LNC from mice co-immunized with E6 T-epitope and the major T-helper epitope of HPV16 E7 (48DRAHYNI54) proliferated comparably when challenged with the peptides individually indicating co-dominance of the two T-epitopes. The findings have implications for incorporation of E6 into a therapeutic vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Azoury-Ziadeh
- Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, University of Queensland Department of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|