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

Vaccine. 2009 Feb 11;27(7):1040-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.099. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • 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