HPV18 E1 Protein Plus α -Galactosylceramide Elicit in Mice CD8 + T Cell Cross-Reactivity Against Cells Expressing E1 from Diverse Human Papillomavirus Types

• Published in: Viral immunology Vol. 32; no. 6; p. 269
• Main Authors: Amador-Molina, Alfredo, Amador-Molina, Juan C, Arciniega, Juan L, Lizano, Marcela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2019
• Subjects: E1 protein; galactosylceramide; cross-reactivity; human papillomavirus; CD8 T cells
• ISSN: 1557-8976
• DOI: 10.1089/vim.2019.0020

CD8 T cell immune response plays a critical role in the clearance of human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected cells. During the natural history of HPV infection, the E1 protein, an early-expressed helicase highly conserved among papillomaviruses, is involved in the replication of HPV genomes. We have previously shown, in a murine model, that immunization with HPV18 E1 protein combined with -galactosylceramide elicits a specific CD8 T cell response. We further proved those findings by analyzing whether CD8 T cells from mice immunized with -galactosylceramide plus HPV18 E1 protein could have a cytotoxic effect on cells expressing the carboxyl-terminal domain from the E1 proteins of other HPV types. Interestingly, CD8 T cells raised against HPV18 E1 antigen presented cross-reactivity against the E1 protein from HPV53, 33, 16, and 31. Poor cross-reactivity was observed for HPV11, and none for HPV6. This outcome may be relevant for the design of broad-spectrum immune-protective agents against HPV infections.