Induction of neutralizing antibodies by human papillomavirus vaccine generated in mammalian cells

Background Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Current preventative HPV vaccines on the market are composed of HPV L1 protein produced either in the yeast such as Gardasil or in the insect cells such as Cervarix. The duration of efficacy and cross-protection remain highly desirable for the improvement of current prophylactic HPV vaccine. Given that HPV carries out infection and replicates in mammalian cells, L2 protein, which is not included in the current licensed vaccines, is included in the third generation of HPV vaccine in pursuing of providing broader prevention. We hypothesize that a virus-like particle (VLP) consisting of HPV L1 plus L2 proteins generated in mammalian cells will present conformations more closely to native HPV, thus it will provide more durable and broader efficacy of prevention. Methods We took advantage of 293TT cells to produce VLP containing L1 and L2 proteins of HPV16 and HPV18, respectively. Results VLP particles of uniformed size and morphology were observed, and potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies were induced in mice and rabbits. In addition, compared to bivalent HPV vaccine of Cervarix, our HPV L1-L2 VLPs elicited higher titer of anti-sera, and the anti-sera also presented comparable neutralization potency against HPV16 and HPV18 infections even a much less potent adjuvant was used in our case. Conclusion Our VLPs were capable of eliciting stronger and more broadly neutralizing activities against various HPV subtypes and were potential candidate HPV vaccines.