Significance of serum antibodies against HPV E7, Hsp27, Hsp20 and Hp91 in Iranian HPV-exposed women

Cellular functions of heat shock protein 20 (HSPB6) in cancer: A review

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are a large family of peptide proteins that are widely found in cells. Studies have shown that the expression and function of HSPs in cells are very complex, and they can participate in cellular physiological and pathological processes through multiple pathways. Multiple heat shock proteins are associated with cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to anticancer drugs, and they play a key role in cancer development by ensuring the correct folding or degradation of proteins in cancer cells. As research hotspots, HSP90, HSP70 and HSP27 have been extensively studied in cancer so far. However, HSP20, also referred to as HSPB6, as a member of the small heat shock protein family, has been shown to play an important role in the cardiovascular system, but little research has been conducted on HSP20 in cancer. This review summarizes the current cellular functions of HSP20 in different cancer types, as well as its effects on cancer proliferation, progression, prognosis, and its other functions in cancer, to illustrate the close association between HSP20 and cancer. We show that, unlike most HSPs, HSP20 mainly plays an active anticancer role in cancer development, which is expected to provide new ideas and help for cancer diagnosis and treatment and research.

Immunity after HPV Vaccination in Patients after Sexual Initiation

Vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) are included in the primary prevention of precancerous intraepithelial lesions and HPV-related cancers. Despite the undeniable effectiveness of vaccination in the juvenile population, there is still little research on the effect in patients after sexual initiation. Our study aims to assess anti-HPV (L1 HPV) antibodies in healthy patients and diagnosed cervical pathology after 9-valent vaccination. We provide a prospective, ongoing 12-month, non-randomised pilot study in which 89 subjects were enrolled. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine IgG class antibodies to HPV. We noted significantly higher levels of antibodies in vaccinated individuals than in the unvaccinated control group. The above work shows that vaccination against HPV might be beneficial in patients after sexual initiation as well as in those already diagnosed with HPV or SIL infection.

Current and future direction in treatment of HPV-related cervical disease

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the world. About 70% of cervical cancers are caused by the most oncogenic HPV genotypes of 16 and 18. Since available prophylactic vaccines do not induce immunity in those with established HPV infections, the development of therapeutic HPV vaccines using E6 and E7 oncogenes, or both as the target antigens remains essential. Also, knocking out the E6 and E7 oncogenes in host genome by genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system can result in tumor growth suppression. These methods have shown promising results in both preclinical and clinical trials and can be used for controlling the progression of HPV-related cervical diseases. This comprehensive review will detail the current treatment of HPV-related cervical precancerous and cancerous diseases. We also reviewed the future direction of treatment including different kinds of therapeutic methods and vaccines, genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system being studied in clinical trials. Although the progress in the development of therapeutic HPV vaccine has been slow, encouraging results from recent trials showed vaccine-induced regression in high-grade CIN lesions. CRISPR/Cas genome-editing system is also a promising strategy for HPV cancer therapy. However, its safety and specificity need to be optimized before it is used in clinical setting.

HPV-mediated Cervical Cancer: A Systematic review on Immunological Basis, Molecular Biology and Immune evasion mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most frequently transmitted viruses globally, causing several malignancies including cervical cancer.

AIM

Owing to their unique pathogenicity HPV viruses can persist in the host organism for a longer duration than other virus types, to complete their lifecycle. During its association with the host, HPV causes various pathological conditions affecting the immune system by evading the host immune- mechanisms leading to the progression of various diseases, including cancer.

METHOD

To date, ~ 150 serotypes were identified, and certain high-risk HPV types are known to be associated with genital warts and cervical cancer. As of now, two prophylactic vaccines are in use for the treatment of HPV infection, however, no effective antiviral drug is available for HPV-associated disease/infections. Numerous clinical and laboratory studies are being investigated to formulate an effective and specific vaccine again HPV infections and associated diseases.

RESULT

As the immunological basis of HPV infection and associated disease progress persist indistinctly, deeper insights on immune evasion mechanism and molecular biology of disease would aid in developing an effective vaccine.

CONCLUSION

Thus this review focuses, aiming a systematic review on the immunological aspects of HPV-associated cervical cancer by uncovering immune evasion strategies adapted by HPV.

Immunohistochemical Detection of Human Papillomavirus 16 E7 Oncoprotein in Cervical Lesions

Almost all cervical cancer is associated with persistent infection of high-risk (hr) human papillomavirus (HPV) like HPV16. The E7 oncoprotein encoded by hrHPV plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to establish a reliable protocol of immunohistochemistry stains to detect HPV16 E7 protein in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of various cervical lesions. Firstly, the HPV16 E7 gene was inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T2. Then the recombinant plasmid pGEX-4T2-(HPV16-E7) was transformed into Escherichia coli JM109. The fusion protein containing a GST tag was purified, and New Zealand white rabbits were immunized to produce the HPV16 E7 polyclonal antibody. The anti-HPV16 E7 antibody was verified by western blotting and immunofluorescence stains, and applied in 182 HPV16 DNA-positive cervical tissue specimens and matched 36 HPV DNA-negative specimens by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, A positive correlation between HPV16 E7 protein expression and malignancy grade was observed. But there is no relationship between HPV16 E7 protein expression and tumor sizes, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, or lymphovascular space invasion in cervical cancer. These findings provide a basis for further research focusing on the role of HPV E7 protein in various HPV-related diseases.

HIV-1 Accessory Proteins: Which one is Potentially Effective in Diagnosis and Vaccine Development?

BACKGROUND

The combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) could increase the number of circulating naive CD4 T lymphocytes, but was not able to eradicate human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection.

OBJECTIVE

Thus, induction of strong immune responses is important for control of HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, a simple and perfect serological method is required to detect virus in untreated-, treated- and drug resistant- HIV-1 infected individuals.

METHODS

This study was conducted to assess and compare immunogenic properties of Nef, Vif, Vpr and Vpu accessory proteins as an antigen candidate in mice and their diagnostic importance in human as a biomarker.

RESULTS

Our data showed that in mice, all heterologous prime/ boost regimens were more potent than homologous prime/ boost regimens in eliciting Th1 response and Granzyme B secretion as CTL activity. Moreover, the Nef, Vpu and Vif proteins could significantly increase Th1 immune response. In contrast, the Vpr protein could considerably induce Th2 immune response. On the other hand, among four accessory proteins, HIV-1 Vpu could significantly detect treated group from untreated group as a possible biomarker in human.

CONCLUSION

Generally, among accessory proteins, Nef, Vpu and Vif antigens were potentially more suitable vaccine antigen candidates than Vpr antigen. Human antibodies against all these proteins were higher in HIV-1 different groups than healthy group. Among them, Vpu was known as a potent antigen in diagnosis of treated from untreated individuals. The potency of accessory proteins as an antigen candidate in an animal model and a human cohort study are underway.

Evaluation of HIV-1 Regulatory and Structural Proteins as Antigen Candidate in Mice and Humans

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of HIV infection is important among different groups. Moreover, combination antiretroviral therapy is used to treat HIV-1, but it cannot eradicate the infection. Thus, the development of therapeutic vaccines, along with antiretroviral therapy, is recommended. This study evaluates the values of four HIV proteins as antigen candidates in therapeutic vaccine design as well as a possible diagnostic marker for HIV infection in humans.

METHODS

In this study, the HIV-1 Tat and Rev regulatory proteins and structural Gp120 and p24 proteins were generated in E. coli expression system. Their immunogenicity was evaluated in BALB/ c mice using homologous and heterologous prime/boost strategies. Moreover, the detection of anti- HIV IgG antibodies against these recombinant proteins was assessed in untreated (Naïve/ HIV-infected), treated, and drug-resistant patients compared to the healthy (control) group as a possible diagnostic marker for HIV infection.

RESULTS

In humans, our results showed that among HIV-1 proteins, anti-Gp120 antibody was not detected in treated individuals compared to the healthy (control) group. The levels of anti-Gp120 antibody were significantly different between the treated group and Naïve as well as drug-resistant subjects. Moreover, the level of anti-p24 antibody was significantly lower in the treated group than the Naive group. In mice, the results of immunization indicated that the Rev antigen could significantly induce IgG2a, IgG2b, and IFN-γ secretion aimed at Th1 response as well as Granzyme B generation as CTL activity in comparison with other antigens. Furthermore, the heterologous DNA prime/ protein boost regimen was more potent than the homologous regimen for stimulation of cellular immunity.

CONCLUSION

Briefly, the levels of both anti-Gp120 and anti-p24 antibodies can be considered for the diagnosis of the HIV-infected individuals in different groups compared to the healthy group. Moreover, among four recombinant proteins, Rev elicited Th1 cellular immunity and CTL activity in mice as an antigen candidate in therapeutic vaccine development.

Immunology of HPV-mediated cervical cancer: current understanding

Human papilloma virus (HPV) has emerged as a primary cause of cervical cancer worldwide. HPV is a relatively small (55 nm in diameter) and non-enveloped virus containing approximately 8 kb long double stranded circular DNA genome. To date, 228 genotypes of HPV have been identified. Although all HPV infections do not lead to the development of malignancy of cervix, only persistent infection of high-risk types of HPV (mainly with HPV16 and HPV18) results in the disease. In addition, the immunity of the patients also acts as a key determinant in the carcinogenesis. Since, no HPV type specific medication is available for the patient suffering with cervical cancer, hence, a deep understanding of the disease etiology may be vital for developing an effective strategy for its prevention and management. From the immunological perspectives, the entire mechanisms of disease progression still remain unclear despite continuous efforts. In the present review, the recent developments in immunology of HPV-mediated cervix carcinoma were discussed. At the end, the prevention of disease using HPV type specific recombinant vaccines was also highlighted.

Heat shock proteins in infection

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are constitutively expressed under physiological conditions in most organisms but their expression can significantly enhance in response to four types of stimuli including physical (e.g., radiation or heat shock), chemical and microbial (e.g., pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) stimuli, and also dietary. These proteins were identified for their role in protecting cells from high temperature and other forms of stress. HSPs control physiological activities or virulence through interaction with various regulators of cellular signaling pathways. Several roles were determined for HSPs in the immune system including intracellular roles (e.g., antigen presentation and expression of innate receptors) as well as extracellular roles (e.g., tumor immunosurveillance and autoimmunity). It was observed that exogenously administered HSPs induced various immune responses in immunotherapy of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity. Moreover, virus interaction with HSPs as molecular chaperones showed important roles in regulating viral infections including cell entry and nuclear import, viral replication and gene expression, folding/assembly of viral protein, apoptosis regulation, and host immunity. Viruses could regulate host HSPs at different levels such as transcription, translation, post-translational modification and cellular localization. In this review, we attempt to overview the roles of HSPs in a variety of infectious diseases.