HPV E6/E7: insights into their regulatory role and mechanism in signaling pathways in HPV-associated tumor

β-Cyclodextrin Encapsulated Platinum(II)-Based Nanoparticles: Photodynamic Therapy and Inhibition of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Glioblastoma

This study explores cell death through photodynamic therapy (PDT) with β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated platinum(II)-based nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) and the effect on the NF-κB and stress pathways in glioblastoma. The encapsulation of the cyclometalated Pt(II) complex Pt(LL') within β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) enhances its biocompatibility, improves cellular penetration, and boosts emission, thereby increasing the effectiveness of PDT. Both Pt(LL') and Pt-NPs show minimal toxicity in the dark; however, Pt-NPs significantly increase toxicity toward glioblastoma Kr158 cells upon irradiation at 390 nm. The PDT-induced cell death is further validated through apoptosis assays and the modulation of some key survival pathways like NF-κB/p65, DJ-1, and ERp29. This is the first report of β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated platinum(II)-based nanoparticles designed to target glioblastoma cells through PDT, offering a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Is the vIL-10 Protein from Cytomegalovirus Associated with the Potential Development of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?

Leukemia is a hematologic malignancy; acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent subtype among children rather than in adults. Orthoherpesviridae family members produce proteins during latent infection phases that may contribute to cancer development. One such protein, viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10), closely resembles human interleukin-10 (IL-10) in structure. Research has explored the involvement of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) in the pathogenesis of ALL. However, the limited characterization of its latent-phase proteins restricts a full understanding of the relationship between hCMV infection and leukemia progression. Studies have shown that hCMV induces an inflammatory response during infection, marked by the release of cytokines and chemokines. Inflammation may, therefore, play a role in how hCMV contributes to oncogenesis in pediatric ALL, possibly mediated by latent viral proteins. The classification of a virus as oncogenic is based on its alignment with cancer's established hallmarks. Viruses can manipulate host cellular mechanisms, causing dysregulated cell proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and genomic instability. These processes lead to mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, and chronic inflammation, all of which are vital for carcinogenesis. This study aims to investigate the role of vIL-10 during the latent phase of hCMV as a potential factor in leukemia development.

Metformin-induced E6/E7 inhibition prevents HPV-positive cancer progression through p53 reactivation

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is implicated in multiple lethal cancers, although it is more sensitive to certain therapies than HPV-negative cancers. Therefore, the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies is imperative. The HPV oncogenes E6/E7 are ideal targets for HPV-positive cancer, but there are no clinical strategies that have been proven to effectively target E6/E7. Notably, metformin significantly inhibits E6/E7 expression; however, the underlying mechanism and therapeutic potential remain unclear, limiting its clinical translation. Cell Counting Kit-8, ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated Nick end labeling assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of metformin on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays were performed to determine changes in E6/E7 and p53 expression levels following metformin treatment. Patient-derived organoids and in-vivo xenograft models were constructed to evaluate the anticancer activity of metformin against HPV-positive cancer. Our research demonstrated enhanced sensitivity of HPV-positive cancer cells to metformin. Mechanistic studies have revealed that metformin exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting E6/E7 expression, which is associated with p53 reactivation. Furthermore, we substantiated the anticancer potential of metformin in HPV-positive patient-derived organoids and in-vivo tumor models. Our study focused on the mechanism underlying the enhanced responsiveness of HPV-positive cancer to metformin, highlighting the clinical potential of metformin as a targeted therapeutic strategy for HPV-positive cancer.

Shared chemoresistance genes in ESCC and cervical Cancer: Insights from pharmacogenomics and Mendelian randomization

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly the use of platinum-based compounds and taxanes, is pivotal in the treatment of epithelial-derived tumors, such as cervical cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, resistance remains a significant challenge. Utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR) with pharmacogenomics offers a novel approach to understanding the genetic underpinnings of drug responses, thereby aiding in personalized treatment.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed a shared cellular subpopulation of CD8 + T effector memory (CD8 + TEM) cells that are pivotal in mediating chemotherapy resistance in ESCC and cervical cancer. A two-sample approach was employed for MR using data from genome-wide association studies, focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to CD8 + TEM cell expression. The SNPs were carefully selected, and statistical models, including the Wald ratio and inverse variance weighted methods, were used for robust causal effect estimation. These were supplemented by MR-Egger and weighted median analyses to address pleiotropy and variant heterogeneity. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immunohistochemistry assays were used to verify the relationship between the gene and drug sensitivity.

RESULTS

Increased proportion of CD8 + TEM cells were observed in resistant samples. MR identified IL32, SPOCK1, and TRBC2 as key genes associated with resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel, respectively. These findings were validated across various cohorts and underscored the role of CD8 + TEM cells in drug responsiveness. The results of the MTT and immunohistochemistry assays confirmed the MR findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the significant role of CD8 + TEM cells in the chemoresistance of ESCC and cervical cancer and identified three genetic markers crucial for resistance to common chemotherapeutic agents. These findings suggest potential pathways for developing personalized treatment strategies, offering clinically relevant insights that could enhance therapeutic efficacy and help overcome drug resistance in patients with ESCC or cervical cancer.

Advances in cervical cancer: current insights and future directions

In alignment with the World Health Organization's strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, substantial progress has been made in the treatment of this malignancy. Cervical cancer, largely driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is considered preventable and manageable because of its well-established etiology. Advancements in precision screening technologies, such as DNA methylation triage, HPV integration detection, liquid biopsies, and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostics, have augmented traditional screening methods such as HPV nucleic acid testing and cytology. Therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating HPV and reversing precancerous lesions have been refined as pivotal measures for disease prevention. The controversy surrounding surgery for early-stage cervical cancer revolves around identifying optimal candidates for minimally invasive and conservative procedures without compromising oncological outcomes. Recent clinical trials have yielded promising results for the development of systemic therapies for advanced cervical cancer. Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and targeted therapy have demonstrated significant effectiveness, marking a substantial advancement in cervical cancer management. Various combination therapies have been validated, and ongoing trials aim to enhance outcomes through the development of novel drugs and optimized combination regimens. The prospect of eradicating cervical cancer as the first malignancy to be eliminated is now within reach. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific insights, with a particular focus on precision managements for various stages of cervical disease, and explore future research directions in cervical cancer.

Roles of human papillomavirus in cancers: oncogenic mechanisms and clinical use

Human papillomaviruses, particularly high-risk human papillomaviruses, have been universally considered to be associated with the oncogenesis and progression of various cancers. The genome of human papillomaviruses is circular, double-stranded DNA that encodes early and late proteins. Each of the proteins is of crucial significance in infecting the epithelium of host cells persistently and supporting viral genome integrating into host cells. Notably, E6 and E7 proteins, classified as oncoproteins, trigger the incidence of cancers by fostering cell proliferation, hindering apoptosis, evading immune surveillance, promoting cell invasion, and disrupting the balance of cellular metabolism. Therefore, targeting human papillomaviruses and decoding molecular mechanisms by which human papillomaviruses drive carcinogenesis are of great necessity to better treat human papillomaviruses-related cancers. Human papillomaviruses have been applied clinically to different facets of human papillomavirus-related cancers, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Several types of prophylactic vaccines have been publicly utilized worldwide and have greatly decreased the occurrence of human papillomavirus-related cancers, which have benefited numerous people. Although various therapeutic vaccines have been developed and tested clinically, none of them have been officially approved to date. Enhancing the efficacy of vaccines and searching for innovative technologies targeting human papillomaviruses remain critical challenges that warrant continuous research and attention in the future.

Too many cooks in the kitchen: HPV driven carcinogenesis - The result of collaboration or competition?

Infection by Human Papillomaviruses accounts for the most widespread sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Clinical presentation of these infections can range from subclinical and asymptomatic to anogenital cancers, with the latter associated with persistent infection over a significant period of time. Of the over 200 isotypes of the human virus identified, a subset of these has been characterized as high-risk due to their ability to induce oncogenesis. At the core of Papillomavirus pathogenesis sits three virally encoded oncoproteins: E5, E6, and E7. In this review we will discuss the respective roles of these proteins and how they contribute to carcinogenesis, evaluating key distinguishing features that separate them from their low-risk counterparts. Furthermore, we will consider the complex relationship between this trio and how their interwoven functional networks underpin the development of cancer.

Drugs and drug targets for the treatment of HPV-positive cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is primarily driven by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains and remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where late-stage diagnoses is common. While vaccination and screening programs have reduced incidence rates, the need for novel and more effacacious and cost-effective therapeutic options is therefore critical especially for advanced cervical cancer. This review highlights several key advances in the understanding of HPV-induced carcinogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies over the past five years. Important areas of focus include the role of HPV oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7 in modulating signalling pathways, treatment strategies for precancerous lesions, the potential of natural compounds to target cervical cancer cells, and the emergence of immunotherapies, checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and novel drug combinations to treat cervical cancer. Additionally, lifestyle recommendations and the integration of natural supplements are discussed for their potential to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient outcomes. The developments reported in this review underscore the evolving landscape of cervical cancer treatment and the need for continued research to validate and integrate these emerging therapies into clinical practice.

Immortalization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Application in Regenerative Medicine and Their Potential Risks of Tumorigenesis

Regenerative medicine utilizes stem cells to repair damaged tissues by replacing them with their differentiated cells and activating the body's inherent regenerative abilities. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that possess tissue repair and regenerative capabilities and immunomodulatory properties with a much lower risk of tumorigenicity, making them a focus of numerous clinical trials worldwide. MSCs primarily exert their therapeutic effects through paracrine effects via secreted factors, such as cytokines and exosomes. This has led to increasing interest in cell-free therapy, where only the conditioned medium (also called secretome) from MSC cultures is used for regenerative applications. However, MSCs face certain limitations, including cellular senescence, scarcity, donor heterogeneity, complexity, short survival post-implantation, and regulatory and ethics hurdles. To address these challenges, various types of immortalized MSCs (ImMSCs) capable of indefinite expansion have been developed. These cells offer significant promise and essential tools as a reliable source for both cell-based and cell-free therapies with the aim of translating them into practical medicine. However, the process of immortalization, often involving the transduction of immortalizing genes, poses potential risks of genetic instability and resultant malignant transformation. Cell-free therapy is particularly attractive, as it circumvents the risks of tumorigenicity and ethical concerns associated with live cell therapies. Rigorous safety tests, such as monitoring chromosomal abnormalities, are critical to ensure safety. Technologies like inducible or suicide genes may allow for the controlled proliferation of MSCs and induce apoptosis after their therapeutic task is completed. This review highlights recent advancements in the immortalization of MSCs and the associated risks of tumorigenesis.

SLC7A11 Expression Is Up-Regulated in HPV- and Tobacco-Associated Lung Cancer

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) are the etiological agents of cervical, anogenital, and a subset of oropharyngeal cancers. In addition, HR-HPVs have been detected in lung carcinomas worldwide, even though the role of these viruses in this type of cancer is not fully understood. This study evaluated the presence of HPV in a cohort of 204 lung cancer cases by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Luminex. In addition, we used transcriptomic approaches to characterize the HPV-associated gene expression profile in the context of tobacco-smoke-associated lung cancer. HPV16 was detected in 8/204 lung carcinomas (4.0%). Through a significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) analysis, we found that the solute carrier family 7-member 11 (SLC7A11/xCT) gene (an antiporter that mediates the uptake of extracellular cystine) is up-regulated in tobacco-smoke- and HPV-associated lung cancers. In addition, SLC7A11 up-regulation correlates with both HR-HPV16 E6/E7 expression and tobacco smoke exposure in lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, we found decreased survival in HPV/SLC7A11-positive patients with lung cancer when compared to HPV/SLC7A11-negative cases. Thus, this study suggests that SLC7A11 up-regulation is associated with both HPV-positive and tobacco-smoke-associated lung carcinomas, with a potential association with clinical prognosis.

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) in malignant melanoma

The most common type of melanoma is cutaneous melanoma (CM). The predominant mutational signature is that of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) molecular classification includes four major subtypes of CM based on common genetic alterations involving the following genes: BRAF, NRAS, and NF1, with a small fraction being "triple" wild-type. The two main signaling pathway abnormalities in CM are the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Other less common types include mucosal melanomas (MM) and uveal melanoma (UM), which have a significantly different genomic landscape. Although few studies reported rare cases with HPV-positive (HPV+) melanoma, the clinicopathological and molecular characteristic of this entity has not been well-described. Among the 2084 melanoma cases queried at our institution, we identified seven patients diagnosed with HPV+ melanoma (prevalence 0.03 %), including five instances of CM and two of MM. The majority of cases were positive for HPV16 (n = 6). Most of the patients were elderly and with advanced disease (n = 6), although this finding may be attributed to the relative frequency of our institution testing advanced-stage tumors. Histologically, most cases showed high degree of pleomorphism and high mitotic count (5 or more mitoses/mm2) (n = 6). UVR signature was present in the CM, but not in the MM cases. Alterations in either MAPK and/or PI3K pathways were detected in the majority of cases (n = 6). The most common genetic abnormalities detected in this study occurred in the TERT promoter (TERTp) (n = 5), a finding that has been reported to be associated with aggressive disease. Our data shows that while HPV+ melanoma is rare, identifying this disease entity could help guide therapy given the demonstrated genomic alterations.

ATR inhibition increases reliance on PARP-mediated DNA repair revealing an improved therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer results from persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and the expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins. E6 and E7 compromise the activity of p53 and Rb, the G1-S cell cycle checkpoint, and ATM-mediated DNA damage repair (DDR), which in turn increases reliance on ATR- and PARP-mediated DDR at the G2 cell cycle checkpoint. This study aimed to determine the effects of an ATR inhibitor (ATRi, AZD6738) and a PARP-inhibitor (PARPi, AZD2281) on HR-HPV+ cervical cancer cell lines.

METHODS

The effects of ATRi and PARPi, alone and in combination, on metabolic viability, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DDR pathways in cervical cancer cell lines were evaluated in vitro, and the in vivo tumor response was evaluated using a xenograft model.

RESULTS

Cervical cancer cells were sensitive to ATRi and PARPi monotherapy. The combination therapy was only synergistic in reducing metabolic viability when exposed to ATRi first, followed by PARPi, owing to ATRi-mediated upregulation of PARP expression. Combination of ATRi and PARPi induced G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. PARPi induced DNA damage and γH2AX phosphorylation, which was further increased by ATRi treatment. However, PARPi-induced Rad51 foci formation was reduced by ATRi treatment, suggesting the inhibition of homologous recombination repair. ATRi significantly reduced cervical cancer xenograft tumor growth and was not affected by simultaneous PARPi treatment at the doses studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that ATRi increased reliance on PARP for metabolic viability, the combination of ATRi and PARPi induced synthetic lethality in cervical cancer in vitro, and reduced tumor burden in vivo.

The correlation between vaginal pathogens and high-risk human papilloma virus infection: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

Background

Systematic study on the relationship between vaginal microbiota and high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HR-HPV) is limited. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between vaginal microbiota and HR-HPV infection through a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

Methods

Chinese Journal Full-text database, Wanfang database, PubMed database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal database, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, JSTOR, Wiley, and IEEE Xplore were synthetically searched for studies about the correlation between vaginal microbiota and HR-HPV infection. Revman 5.3 software was used to assess the relationship between vaginal microbiota and HPV infection through meta-analysis. Finally, forest map was used to calculate the results and funnel plot was applied to test the publication bias.

Results

Fourteen independent studies were admitted in this study, containing a total of 21, 446 women in gynecological outpatients. Compared with HR-HPV negative group, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) [odds ratio (OR)=2.45, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.83-3.27, P<0.00001], Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.23-1.54, P<0.00001), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) (OR=3.53, 95% CI: 2.82-4.41, P<0.00001) increased in HR-HPV positive group through meta-analysis, while, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of trichomonal vaginitis (TV) (OR=1.69, 95% CI: 0.97-2.96, P=0.06) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.54-1.51, P=0.71.

Conclusions

Vaginal pathogens are closely related to HR-HPV infection. When BV, UU, and CT are abnormal, the risk of HR-HPV infection is increased.

The Future of Cervical Cancer Screening

Purpose

Cervical cancer remains a significant health concern, particularly in developing countries, where it is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Innovative technologies have emerged to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sensitivity of cervical cancer screening and treatment methods. This study aims to explore the various approaches for the detection and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical dysplasia (CD), and cervical cancer, highlighting new technologies and updated screening strategies in developing areas.

Patients and Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant publications on the subject of cervical cancer screening and HPV detection.

Results

HPV infection and cervical cancer continue to pose significant global health challenges. Emerging technologies such as rapid, low-cost HPV testing combined with high-resolution digital colposcopy and artificial intelligence interpretation hold promise for efficient and sensitive screening. Advancements in HPV vaccine distribution, high-risk HPV screening, DNA methylation assays, dual-stain cytology, lab-on-chip assays, and deep learning technologies offer new avenues for improved detection and risk stratification.Research and innovations in detection and treatment methods are crucial for reducing the burden of these diseases worldwide.

Conclusion

Screening for HPV and CD plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of cervical cancer-related mortality. The development of novel technologies, along with efforts to enhance global health equity and integrate cervical cancer prevention with HIV screening and treatment programs, represent critical steps toward achieving comprehensive cervical cancer screening on a global scale.

Entangled Connections: HIV and HPV Interplay in Cervical Cancer-A Comprehensive Review

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a prevalent malignancy and a significant global public health concern, primarily driven by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The infectious nature of HPV underscores the preventability of CC through vaccination and screening programs. In addition to HPV, factors such as age, parity, smoking, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV co-infection elevate the risk of CC. HIV-associated immunodeficiency exacerbates susceptibility to infections and cancers, making CC a defining condition for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women living with HIV (WLWH). These women face higher risks of HPV exposure due to sexual behavior and often encounter economic, social, and psychological barriers to screening. HIV and HPV co-infection can potentially accelerate CC carcinogenesis, with WLWH typically being diagnosed with CC earlier than their HIV-negative counterparts. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), which reduces AIDS-related mortality, also lowers the risk of invasive CC. The interaction between HIV and HPV is intricate and bidirectional. This summary reviews current evidence on HPV infection and CC in WLWH, highlighting the connections across pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

In-silico study unveils potential phytocompounds in Andrographis paniculata against E6 protein of the high-risk HPV-16 subtype for cervical cancer therapy

Despite therapeutic advancements, cervical cancer caused by high-risk subtypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. This study aimed to discover potential drug candidates from the Asian medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, demonstrating efficacy against the E6 protein of high-risk HPV-16 subtype through an in-silico computational approach. The 3D structures of 32 compounds (selected from 42) derived from A. paniculata, exhibiting higher binding affinity, were obtained from the PubChem database. These structures underwent subsequent analysis and screening based on criteria including binding energy, molecular docking, drug likeness and toxicity prediction using computational techniques. Considering the spectrometry, pharmacokinetic properties, docking results, drug likeliness, and toxicological effects, five compounds-stigmasterol, 1H-Indole-3-carboxylic acid, 5-methoxy-, methyl ester (AP7), andrographolide, apigenin and wogonin-were selected as the potential inhibitors against the E6 protein of HPV-16. We also performed 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations of the compounds to analyze their stability and interactions as protein-ligand complexes using imiquimod (CID-57469) as a control. Screened compounds showed favorable characteristics, including stable root mean square deviation values, minimal root mean square fluctuations and consistent radius of gyration values. Intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts, were sustained throughout the simulations. The compounds displayed potential affinity, as indicated by negative binding free energy values. Overall, findings of this study suggest that the selected compounds have the potential to act as inhibitors against the E6 protein of HPV-16, offering promising prospects for the treatment and management of CC.

Cervical HPV infection and related diseases among 149,559 women in Fujian: an epidemiological study from 2018 to 2023

Objectives

To comprehensively analyze the epidemiological features of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-related cervical diseases in females aged 35-64 years.

Methods

A total of 149,559 samples of exfoliated cervical cells screened for HPV and related cervical lesions from January 2018 to December 2023 were enrolled. The prevalence of 15 high-risk and 6 low-risk HPV genotypes were detected, and the cervical cytology were analyzed. The impact of single and multiple HPV infections was characterized, and the effect of age was studied.

Results

The cervix cytology was normal in 86.60% of the females, while 7.13% of the females were diagnosed with cervix inflammation, 0.60% with ASC-US, 0.22% with ASC-H, 0.72% with LSIL, 0.49% with HSIL, 0.03% with ICC. The highest median age was observed in ASC-H group with 54 years old. Females with primary school education or lower have the highest positive rates. The overall HPV prevalence was 8.60%. The relatively prevalent HPV types were HPV52, 58, 16, 39, 51. HPV16, HPV18, HPV58, HPV33 and HPV52 were the top5 predominant types in ICC patients. 17.41% females suffered from multiple HPV infection with the most frequently co-infection subtypes being HPV52, HPV58 and HPV16. The prevalence of all HPV subtypes increased with age. Multiple HPV infections accounted for a larger proportion in those aged above 55 years. The peak HPV16 prevalence was observed in ICC group in cases aged 45-49 and 55-59. The peak HPV33 prevalence was observed in younger individuals aged 40-44 who developed ICC.

Conclusion

More action should be taken against HPV33 infection.

Lipid Nanoparticles Outperform Electroporation in Delivering Therapeutic HPV DNA Vaccines

Therapeutic HPV vaccines that induce potent HPV-specific cellular immunity and eliminate pre-existing infections remain elusive. Among various candidates under development, those based on DNA constructs are considered promising because of their safety profile, stability, and efficacy. However, the use of electroporation (EP) as a main delivery method for such vaccines is notorious for adverse effects like pain and potentially irreversible muscle damage. Moreover, the requirement for specialized equipment adds to the complexity and cost of clinical applications. As an alternative to EP, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that are already commercially available for delivering mRNA and siRNA vaccines are likely to be feasible. Here, we have compared three intramuscular delivery systems in a preclinical setting. In terms of HPV-specific cellular immune responses, mice receiving therapeutic HPV DNA vaccines encapsulated with LNP demonstrated superior outcomes when compared to EP administration, while the naked plasmid vaccine showed negligible responses, as expected. In addition, SM-102 LNP M exhibited the most promising results in delivering candidate DNA vaccines. Thus, LNP proves to be a feasible delivery method in vivo, offering improved immunogenicity over traditional approaches.

Study on the detection rate, genetic polymorphism, viral load, persistent infection capacity, and pathogenicity of human papillomavirus type 81

Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 81 has recently become one of the most common low-risk HPV types; however, literature focusing on it is limited. This study aimed to analyze the reasons for the increased detection rate of HPV81 and investigate its evolving pathogenicity. We analyzed the detection rates and trends of HPV81 in 229 061 exfoliated cervical cell samples collected from 2014 to 2023; collected samples of HPV81 single infections from two different time periods; and analyzed the allele frequencies, positive selection, viral load, persistent infection capacity, and pathogenicity of E6 and E7 genotypes. We found that the detection rate of HPV81 ranked first among the low-risk types in exfoliated cervical cells and exhibited a significantly increasing trend (p < 0.001). The frequency of the E6 prototype allele of HPV81 (n = 317) was significantly increased (p = 0.018) and demonstrated the strongest adaptive capacity. The viral load and persistent infection capacity of the E6 prototype were significantly higher than those of the mutants, thus serving as key drivers for increasing the detection rate of HPV81 and enhancing its pathogenicity. The viral load was positively correlated with persistent infection capacity and pathogenicity. Persistent infection was a crucial factor in the pathogenicity of HPV81. Successful adaptive evolution of HPV81 is accompanied by enhanced pathogenicity.

Interferon-γ-induced GBP1 is an inhibitor of human papillomavirus 18

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an important factor leading to cervical cell abnormalities. 90% of cervical cancers are closely associated with persistent infection of high-risk HPV, with the highest correlation with HPV16 and 18. Currently available vaccines and antivirals have limited effectiveness and coverage. Guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) was induced by interferon gamma and involved in many important cellular processes such as clearance of various microbial pathogens. However, whether GBP1 can inhibit human papillomavirus infection is unclear.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that GBP1 can effectively degrade HPV18 E6, possibly through its GTPase activity or other pathways, and E6 protein degrades GBP1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to achieve immune escape.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, GBP1 is an effector of IFN-γ anti-HPV activity. Our findings provided new insights into the treatment of HPV 18 infections.

Menstrual Blood as a Diagnostic Specimen for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping and Genital Tract Infection Using Next-Generation Sequencing as a Novel Diagnostic Tool

BACKGROUND

Menstrual blood (MB) is a convenient specimen type that can be self-collected easily and non-invasively by women. This study assessed the potential application of MB as a diagnostic specimen to detect genital tract infections (GTIs) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women.

METHOD

Genomic DNA was extracted from MB samples. Pacific Bioscience (Pacbio) 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing and HPV PCR were performed.

RESULTS

MB samples were collected from women with a pathological diagnosis of CIN1, CIN2, CIN3 or HPV infection. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of high-risk HPV detection using MB were found to be 66.7%. A shift in vaginal flora and a significant depletion in Lactobacillus spp. in the vaginal microbiota communities were observed in the MB samples using 16S rDNA sequencing.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we demonstrated that MB is a proper diagnostic specimen of consideration for non-invasive detection of HPV DNA and genotyping using PCR and the diagnosis of GTIs using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). MB testing is suitable for all women who menstruate and this study has opened up the possibility of the use of MB as a diagnostic specimen to maintain women's health.