O câncer cervical é o terceiro tipo de câncer mais comum entre as mulheres, sendo a infecção por HPV16 o principal fator de risco para sua etiopatogênese. Neste trabalho avaliamos o potencial profilático e terapêutico da vacina proteica E6E7, constituída de epítopos imunogênicos de E6 e E7 do HPV16, com ou sem Ubiquitina (Ub) fusionada (E6E7Ub e UbE6E7), contra tumor de células TC-1. A vacina E6E7 conferiu total proteção contra a formação de tumores em animais C57BL/6 selvagens, CD4 nocautes e TLR4 deficientes previamente imunizados e posteriormente desafiados com células TC-1. Entretanto, em animais imunizados após desafio, a fusão da Ub no antígeno E6E7 foi crucial para a vacina promover a regressão do tumor em 60% dos animais. Além da fusão da Ub na extremidade N-terminal do antígeno (UbE6E7) aumentar a poliubiquitinação in vitro, essa estratégia de fusão promoveu uma melhor resposta imunoterapêutica contra o tumor que E6E7 e E6E7Ub, sendo promissora para o desenvolvimento de vacinas terapêuticas contra câncer cervical e também contra outros tipos de câncer. / Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer women worldwide and HPV16 infection is a major risk factor for its ethiopathogenesis. In this study we evaluated in mice the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the E6E7 proteic vaccine, consisting of immunogenic HPV16 E6 and E7 epitopes, with or without Ubiquitin-fused (E6E7Ub and UbE6E7), against TC-1 tumor cells. The E6E7 vaccine conferred complete protection against tumor growth in previously immunized wild-type, CD4 knockout and TLR4 deficient mice challenged with TC-1 cells. However, immunization of previously challenged animals with TC-1 cells, Ubiquitin-fused antigens promoted tumor regression in 60% of mice against 0% in non-Ubiquitinfused antigens. Besides, the fusion of Ubiquitin at the N-terminus of the antigen (UbE6E7) seems to enhance polyubiquitination in vitro, this Ubiquitin fusion strategy promoted an effective immunotherapeutic response against the tumor, being promising for the development of therapeutic cervical cancer vaccines and also other types of tumor.

O câncer cervical é o segundo mais comum em mulheres em países em desenvolvimento, sendo causado por infecção persistente por Papilomavírus Humano (HPV). Quando esta persistência ocorre, entre outros fatores, está relacionada a mecanismos de evasão do sistema imune apresentados pelo vírus. A frequência de macrófagos aumenta com a progressão da lesão cervical e há aumento de células mielóides no baço de camundongos com tumor. Este trabalho tem como objetivo observar os efeitos sistêmicos de tumores associados ao HPV sobre a proliferação e recrutamento de células do sistema imune e identificar fatores que tenham papel nesses mecanismos. Utilizando modelos de tumor in vivo, observou-se que tumores associados ao HPV recrutam mais células para o tumor e induzem maior proliferação celular. Também avaliamos o perfil de expressão de citocinas nas linhagens tumorais e o perfil geral de expressão de proteínas através de eletroforese 2D. Com isto, demonstramos que linhagens tumorais positivas para HPV apresentam maior expressão de IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, sICAM e Serpina E1. / Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in developing countries. Its main etiologic factor is persistent infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV). This persistence occurs only in some cases and, among other factors, is related to mechanisms of immune evasion displayed by the virus. There is an increase in the frequency of macrophages proportional to cervical intraepithelial lesion grade and an increase of myeloid cells in the spleen of tumor bearing mice. This work aims to observe the systemic effects of HPV associated tumors on the proliferation and recruitment of immune cells, and identify factors that have a role in these mechanisms. Using in vivo tumor models, we found that HPV positive tumors recruit a higher percentage of cells and induce cellular proliferation. We also studied cytokine expression profiles of tumor cell lines, and performed proteomic assay with tumor cells transduced with HPV oncogenes. Our data shows that HPV associated tumor cell lines display higher expression of IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, sICAM and Serpin E1.

Luk, Chun Shui. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-189). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Declaration --- p.I / Acknowledgements --- p.II / Funding Support --- p.IV / Abstract of thesis entitled --- p.V / 論文摘要 --- p.VII / Abbreviations --- p.IX / Table of Contents --- p.XIII / List of Figures --- p.XVIII / List of Tables --- p.XX / List of Appendix --- p.XXI / Chapter Chapter One - --- Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- History of Knowledge on Human Papillomavirus --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Virology of Human Papillomavirus --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Taxonomic Classification of Human Papillomavirus --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Morphology of Human Papillomavirus --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- The Viral Genome --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- The Viral Gene Products --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.4.1 --- E1 and E2 Proteins --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.4.2 --- E4 Protein --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.4.3 --- "E5，E6, E7 Proteins" --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4.4 --- L1 and L2 Proteins --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Evolution of Human Papillomavirus --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Rates of Evolution --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Co-evolution Between Human Papillomavirus and Human --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4 --- Human Papillomavirus Infection and Disease --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1.1 --- Disease Burden of Cervical Cancer --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1.2 --- Epidemiology of Cervical Cancer --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.1.3 --- Distribution of HPV types in Cervical Precancerous Lesions --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Human Papillomavirus and Non-cervical Diseases --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Human Papillomavirus Type 58 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Biology of Human Papillomavirus Type 58 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus Type 58 Infections --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter Two - --- Background and Objectives of Study --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1 --- Background of study --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The Need for Research on HPV58 --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Intratypic Classification System for HPV --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- Implication and Impact of Study --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Implication on HPV Virology --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- HPV58 Classification --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Improvement on in the Detection of HPV58 --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Implication on Vaccine Development --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Objectives of Study --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- To Generate a Database for Intratypic Variation of Different Gene Regions of HPV58 --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- To Study the Variability of Seven Gene Regions of HPV58 --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- To Study the Geographical Distribution of HPV58 Variants --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- To Study the Phylogeny of HPV58 --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- To Develop an Intratypic Classification System for HPV58 --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- To Predict the Effectiveness of Commonly Used Primers on the Detection of HPV58 --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter Three - --- Materials and Methods --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1 --- Overall Study Design --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2 --- Study Population --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3 --- Sample Processing and Storage --- p.25 / Chapter 3.4 --- Primer Design --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5 --- Specimen Quality Assessment and Sample Selection --- p.30 / Chapter 3.6 --- Amplification of Gene Region --- p.30 / Chapter 3.7 --- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.34 / Chapter 3.8 --- Sequencing Reaction --- p.34 / Chapter 3.8.1 --- Purification of PCR Product --- p.34 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- Sequencing Reaction --- p.35 / Chapter 3.8.3 --- Purification of Fluorescence-labelled Product --- p.35 / Chapter 3.8.4 --- Sequence Identification --- p.35 / Chapter 3.9 --- Sequence Analysis --- p.36 / Chapter 3.9.1 --- Sequence Editing --- p.36 / Chapter 3.9.2 --- Criteria for Confirming the identity of HPV58 --- p.36 / Chapter 3.9.3 --- Identification of Variants --- p.38 / Chapter 3.9.4 --- Identification of Conserved and Variable Regions --- p.39 / Chapter 3.9.5 --- Phylogenetic Analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 3.9.5.1 --- Construction of Maximum Likelihood Tree --- p.40 / Chapter 3.9.5.2 --- Bootstrap Analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.9.5.3 --- Bayesian Phylogenetic Analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 3.9.5.4 --- Non-synonymous to Synonymous Substitution Rate Ratio (dN/dS) --- p.42 / Chapter 3.9.6 --- Evaluation of Performance of Commonly Used Primers --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter Four - --- Results --- p.44 / Chapter 4.1 --- Specimen Quality Assessment and HPV58 Confirmation --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- HPV58 Genome Variability --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- E6 Open Reading Frame --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- E7 Open Reading Frame --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- E2 Open Reading Frame --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- E4 Open Reading Frame --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- E5 Open Reading Frame --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- L1 Open Reading Frame --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Long Control Region --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Whole HPV genome --- p.94 / Chapter 4.3 --- Evaluation of Commonly Used Primers --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- PGMY09/11 Primers --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- MY09/11 Primers --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- GP5+/6+ Primers --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- SPF Primers --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- L1F/L1R Primers --- p.101 / Chapter Chapter Five - --- Discussion --- p.111 / Chapter 5.1 --- Overall Variation of HPV58 Genome --- p.111 / Chapter 5.2 --- Variability of Each Gene Region --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- E6 Open Reading Frame --- p.115 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- E7 Open Reading Frame --- p.116 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- E2 Open Reading Frame --- p.117 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- E4 Open Reading Frame --- p.118 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- E5 Open Reading Frame --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- L1 Open Reading Frame --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Long Control Region --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3 --- Phylogenetics of HPV58 --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Natural Selection Pressure --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- HPV58 Lineage Using the L1 Gene --- p.124 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Methods for Lineage Identification --- p.125 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Geographical Distribution of the Four Lineages --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Recombination --- p.127 / Chapter 5.4 --- Evaluation of Commonly Used Primers --- p.128 / Chapter 5.5 --- Limitations of the Current Study --- p.129 / Chapter 5.6 --- Future Studies --- p.130 / Appendix --- p.133 / References --- p.174

子宮頸癌是女性的主要癌症殺手，而人類乳頭瘤病毒 (HPV) 則是子宮頸癌形成的必要條件之一。HPV16型及HPV18型是全球最普遍的高危型HPV；而另一方面，HPV52及HPV58兩型在東亞地區的流行程度比世界其他地區為高。 / 過往有科學研究顯示HPV病毒載量的高低是引致高度癌前病變的重要決定因素，也有研究指出病毒載量與病變的嚴重程度成正比例，但同時亦有研究指兩者並無關係。HPV基因組可以兩種物理形態存在：游離型及整合型。HPV的E2基因可對E6及E7致癌基因產生重要的調節作用，而當HPV病毒與宿主染色體整合後，可使E2基因斷裂，因而令控制E6及E7致癌基因表達的負反饋基制失效。 / 本研究假設高病毒載量及由HPV基因組整合所造成的E2基因斷裂，並非引致子宮頸癌的僅一途徑。本研究分析了在不同程度的子宮頸細胞病變下，HPV16型、18型、52型及58型的病毒載量及基因整合情況。其中，有關HPV16型的研究部份更深入地探討了E6/7 mRNA的轉錄水平、E2和LCR的序列變異及E2結合位點的甲基化情況，最終希望能找出除了病毒基因整合之外的另一種致癌機理。 / 本研究的結果顯示，在不同HPV型所引致的子宮頸細胞病變中，病毒載體及病變程度之間的關係也存有差異；而根據管家基因的數量來為細胞DNA標準化，對準確分析不同程度子宮頸細胞病變的實驗結果至關重要。本研究的一項重要發現是部份侵襲性癌細胞只含有游離型HPV基因組；而在只含游離HPV基因組的侵襲性子宮頸癌樣本中，有三種E6/E7 mRNA的抄錄本水平與只含整合型基因組的樣本相若，反映在只含游離型HPV基因組的侵襲性子宮頸癌樣本中，E6/ E7 mRNA的表達量亦有上調。最重要的是，此表達量的上調並非由基因整合或E2基因斷裂所引致。 / 在只含有游離型病毒基因組的侵襲性子宮頸癌樣本中，E6及E7致癌基因表達上調的另一種機理，很可能是HPV16啟動區內E2結合位點上的CpG位點出現甲基化。這項觀察解釋及支持了當E2蛋白因結合位點甲基化而失去對E6及E7基因轉錄的抑制功能時，E6及E7致癌蛋白仍能保持高水平，而兩種蛋白產生協同作用，令細胞轉型及出現癌變。總結之言，本實驗也肯定了HPV整合並非導致子宮頸癌形成的唯一機理。 / Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is essential, though not sufficient, to cause cervical cancer. HPV16 and HPV18 are the most prevalent high-risk types worldwide, whereas, HPV52 and HPV58 also show a notable higher prevalence in East Asia than in other parts of the world. / Studies have suggested that HPV viral load is an important determinant for the development of high-grade lesions. While some studies observed a positive correlation between viral load and disease severity, others have reported no association. The HPV genome can exist in two physical forms, episomal or integrated. The E2 gene, encoded by HPV has an important role in the regulation of E6 and E7 viral oncogenes. When HPV integrates into the host chromosome, it may result in disruption of the E2 gene thereby its control on the expression of the E6 and E7. / The hypothesis for this study was that high viral load and disruption of E2 gene associated with integration of HPV into the host genome was not the only pathway leading to cervical cancer development. In this study, the viral load and integration profile for HPV types 16, 18, 52 and 58 among different severity of cervical lesions were analyzed. Further detailed studies were performed on HPV16 with emphases on E6/E7 mRNA transcript levels, E2 and LCR sequence variation and the methylation status of two E2 binding sites. The ultimate aim was to determine what other alternative mechanisms exist apart from viral integration to drive the oncogenicity of HPV that lead to the development of cervical cancer. / The results showed that the relationship between viral load and disease varied between different HPV types and that normalization of cellular DNA input using a housekeeping gene was crucial for accurate interpretation among different cervical lesion grades. A key finding from this study was that a substantial proportion of invasive cervical carcinomas were found to contain the purely episomal form of the HPV genome. The levels of the three E6/E7 mRNA transcripts species in invasive cervical carcinomas containing the pure episomal form of the viral genome were found to be similar to those with pure integrated forms. This observation suggested that invasive cervical carcinoma samples containing the episomal form of the HPV genome were also mediated by the up-regulated E6/E7 mRNA expression. More importantly, this up-regulation in E6/E7 mRNA expression did not depend on integration and disruption of the E2 gene. / The alternative mechanism that up-regulated of the expression of E6 and E7 oncogene found in invasive cervical carcinoma samples harbouring the episomal form of the viral genome was likely to be a consequence of methylation of CpG sites in the two E2 binding sites at the promoter region of HPV16. This observation explained and supported that the repressive role of E2 on E6 and E7 transcriptional regulation was abolished due to methylation of the E2 binding sites, and that a sustained level of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins was maintained, working in synergy in cell transformation and in carcinogenesis. These observations confirmed the hypothesis that HPV integration was not the only mechanism leading to the development of cervical cancer. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Cheung, Lai Ken Jo. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-248). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.I / Abstract of thesis --- p.IV / 論文摘要 --- p.VII / Publications --- p.IX / Contents --- p.X / Figures --- p.XV / Tables --- p.XVIII / Abbreviations --- p.XIX / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Cervical Cancer --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Cervical Cytology Screening --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Classification System for Cervical Squamous Cell Dysplasia --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Histological Grading of Cervical Lesions --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Development of Cervical Cancer --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Structure of HPV --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- HPV Genome Organization --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- The E1 Protein --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- The E2 Protein --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- The E4 Protein --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- The E5 Protein --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- The E6 Protein --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.7 --- The E7 Protein --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.8 --- The L1 Protein --- p.15 / Chapter 1.1.9 --- The L2 Protein --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.10 --- The Long Control Region --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3 --- HPV and Cervical Cancer --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- HPV is an Etiological Cause of Cervical Cancer --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Establishment of HPV Infection --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Regulation and Control of HPV Viral Gene Transcription --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Viral Oncogene Expression by Alternative RNA Splicing --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- DNA Methylation in Viral Oncogene Expression --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- The Roles of E6 and E7 Protein in Cervical Carcinogenesis --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Controversies and Hypothesis --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1 --- Controversies in Mechanism of Cervical Carcinogenesis --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Viral Integration and Risk of Cervical Cancer Development --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Viral Load and Risk of Cervical Cancer Development --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Hypothesis of Study --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Study Design --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Materials and Methods --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1 --- Patient Recruitment and Sample Preparation --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Study subject recruitment --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Collection of cytology samples --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Collection of cervical biopsy samples --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Nucleic Acid Extraction and Preparation --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Extraction of DNA from cervical cytology samples --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Extraction of DNA from cervical biopsy samples --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Extraction of RNA from cervical cytology samples --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Extraction of RNA from cervical biopsy samples --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3 --- Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4 --- Determination of Viral Load using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Optimization of HPV16, 18, 52 and 58 E7 real-time PCR --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Optimization of housekeeping gene real-time PCR --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Determination of HPV16, 18, 52 and 58 viral load --- p.50 / Chapter 3.5 --- Determination of HPV Genome Physical Status --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- HPV E2 gene primer design --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Optimization of HPV16, 18, 52 and 58 E2 Real-time PCR --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Determination of the HPV genome physical status --- p.59 / Chapter 3.6 --- Evaluation of Housekeeping Genes for Normalization of Viral Gene Expression --- p.62 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Optimization of housekeeping gene real-time PCR --- p.62 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Quantitation of RNA and DNase treatment --- p.66 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- cDNA synthesis from the extracted RNA --- p.67 / Chapter 3.6.4 --- Detection of five housekeeping gene levels from cervical cytology samples by real-time PCR --- p.67 / Chapter 3.6.5 --- Data analyses --- p.68 / Chapter 3.7 --- Quantitation of HPV16 mRNA Transcripts --- p.69 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Preparation of RNA from CaSki cells --- p.69 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Amplification of mRNA transcripts from CaSki cells --- p.69 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- Amplification of artificial mRNA transcript E6*II --- p.73 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- Gel purification of mRNA transcript amplicons --- p.73 / Chapter 3.7.5 --- Cloning of E6 mRNA transcripts --- p.74 / Chapter 3.7.6 --- Confirmation of the mRNA transcript inserts --- p.74 / Chapter 3.8 --- Quantitation HPV16 E6 mRNA Transcript Levels Using Real-Time PCR --- p.79 / Chapter 3.8.1 --- mRNA transcript primer and probe design --- p.79 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- Optimization of real-time PCR for the detection of mRNA transcripts --- p.82 / Chapter 3.8.3 --- Determination of mRNA transcript levels from invasive carcinomas --- p.83 / Chapter 3.8.4 --- Normalization of mRNA transcript expression with a housekeeping gene --- p.84 / Chapter 3.9 --- Sequence Variation of the HPV16 E2 and Long Control Region --- p.84 / Chapter 3.9.1 --- Identification of sequence variation of the E2 gene --- p.84 / Chapter 3.9.2 --- Identification of sequence variation of the long control region --- p.87 / Chapter 3.1 --- Detection of Methylation Status of E2BS1 and E2BS2 on the LCR using Pyrosequencing --- p.87 / Chapter 3.10.1 --- Bisulfite DNA conversion --- p.87 / Chapter 3.10.2 --- Amplification of E2 binding site regions on the LCR --- p.88 / Chapter 3.10.3 --- Purification of PCR product prior to pyrosequencing --- p.92 / Chapter 3.10.4 --- Quantitation of methylation using pyrosequencing --- p.92 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.93 / Chapter Hypothesis 1 --- p.94 / Chapter Results of Study Part: 1 --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Viral Load and Genome Physical Status --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- E7 viral load --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Viral genome physical status --- p.100 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- E2 disruption site --- p.105 / Chapter 4.2 --- Human Papillomavirus Type 18 Viral Load and Genome Physical Status --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- E7 viral load --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Viral genome physical status --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- E2 disruption site --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Infection status --- p.116 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Adeno/adenosquamous carcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3 --- Human Papillomvirus Type 52 Viral Load and Genome Physical Status --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- E7 viral load --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Viral genome physical status --- p.123 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- E2 disruption site --- p.126 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Infection status --- p.129 / Chapter 4.4 --- Human Papillomavirus Type 58 Viral Load and Genome Physical Status --- p.131 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- E7 viral load --- p.131 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Viral genome physical status --- p.133 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- E2 disruption site --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Infection status --- p.137 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary of Study Part 1: --- p.140 / Chapter Hypothesis 2 --- p.141 / Chapter Results of Study Part 2: --- p.142 / Chapter 4.6 --- Housekeeping Gene mRNA Expression Level --- p.143 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Expression levels across different grades of cervical lesion --- p.143 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Expression stability of housekeeping genes --- p.145 / Chapter 4.7 --- Summary of Study Part 2: --- p.149 / Chapter Results of Study Part: 3 --- p.150 / Chapter 4.8 --- HPV16 mRNA Transcript Expression Level --- p.151 / Chapter 4.8.1 --- HPV16 viral genome physical status --- p.151 / Chapter 4.8.2 --- HPV16 E2 disruption site --- p.151 / Chapter 4.8.3 --- Expression level of E6/E7 mRNA transcripts --- p.155 / Chapter 4.8.4 --- Expression level of E6/E7 mRNA transcripts and viral genome physical status --- p.157 / Chapter 4.8.5 --- Expression level of E6/E7 mRNA transcripts and E2 gene disruption status --- p.161 / Chapter 4.9 --- Summary of Study Part 3: --- p.163 / Chapter Hypothesis 3 --- p.165 / Chapter Results of Study Part 4: --- p.166 / Chapter 4.1 --- HPV 16 E2 Gene Sequence Variation --- p.167 / Chapter 4.10.1 --- Sequence variation of E2 gene --- p.167 / Chapter 4.10.2 --- Sequence variation and viral genome physical status --- p.168 / Chapter 4.10.3 --- Sequence variation in the E2 binding sites --- p.169 / Chapter 4.10.4 --- Sequence variations of E2 in HPV16 cancer derived cell lines --- p.170 / Chapter 4.11 --- HPV16 Long Control Region Sequence Variation --- p.174 / Chapter 4.11.1 --- Sequence variation of LCR --- p.174 / Chapter 4.11.2 --- Sequence variation and viral genome physical status --- p.175 / Chapter 4.11.3 --- Sequence variation in E2 binding sites --- p.176 / Chapter 4.11.4 --- Sequence variation of LCR in HPV16 cancer derived cell lines --- p.176 / Chapter 4.12 --- Summary of Study Part 4: --- p.183 / Chapter Hypothesis 4 --- p.185 / Chapter 4.13 --- Methylation Status of E2 Binding Sites --- p.187 / Chapter 4.13.1 --- Proportion methylation in E2 binding sites --- p.187 / Chapter 4.13.2 --- Methylation in invasive carcinomas according to the viral genome physical status --- p.191 / Chapter 4.14 --- Summary of Study Part 5: --- p.195 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion --- p.196 / Chapter 5.1 --- Viral Load --- p.197 / Chapter 5.2 --- Viral Integration --- p.200 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- HPV16 Viral Load and Physical Status --- p.201 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- HPV18 Viral Load and Physical Status --- p.204 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- HPV52 Viral Load and Physical Status --- p.207 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- HPV58 Viral Load and Physical Status --- p.210 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Viral Load and Physical Status Summary --- p.214 / Chapter 5.3 --- HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA Transcript and Genome Physical Status --- p.215 / Chapter 5.4 --- HPV16 E2 Sequence Variation and Genome Physical Status --- p.218 / Chapter 5.5 --- HPV16 LCR Sequence Variation and Genome Physical Status --- p.222 / Chapter 5.6 --- Methylation of HPV16 E2 Binding Sites and Genome Physical Status --- p.225 / Chapter 5.7 --- Conclusions --- p.230 / Chapter 5.8 --- Implication of Current Findings and Future Work --- p.231 / References --- p.233

An association between persistent Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women and cervical cancer has been established. Young women are particularly at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections such as HPV because of risky sexual activity and physiological immaturity. While at risk though, young women have been shown to be amenable to health promoting initiatives. There are a small number of international studies concerning adolescent HPV infection and the risk factors associated with infection, but there is currently no evidence on the prevalence and risk factors for HPV in an Australian, sexually active female adolescent population. This study aimed to provide evidence of the prevalence of HPV, risk factors associated with infection and the patterns of sexual activity in a female sexually active, senior high school population in the Australian Capital Territory. Participants in this study were a convenience sample of 161 sexually active 16-19 year old females who had an HPV test who were attending a senior high school in the Australian Capital Territory. Nurses and doctors using a clinical record collected information about sexual and other risk behaviours. Self-obtained vaginal swabs were tested for HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction method and genotyping was undertaken. The HPV prevalence in this cohort of young women was 1 1.2%. High-risk genotypes were found in 55.5% and multiple genotypes were found in 38.8%. There was a significant association found between HPV infection and having had more than one male partner with whom vaginal intercourse had occurred in the previous six months. No statistically significant association was found between HPV and the age of coitarche, length of time young women had been sexually active, condom use, and smoking or alcohol intake. A young age at coitarche was common for this group. Smoking and alcohol use was seen in large proportions in this group. This is the first Australian study that has examined the prevalence and risk factors for genital HPV in this demographic group. The HPV prevalence is lower than in international studies in comparable groups, in similar age groups and much lower than in older women both in Australia and overseas. With the comparatively low prevalence comes an opportunity for important public health interventions for this group including routine Pap smears, vaccination against the high-risk types of HPV when this becomes available and strategies for young women to reduce their number of male sexual partners. A substantial amount of young women in this study were sexually active aged under 16 years. Whilst this was not identified as being a risk factor in this study, it is both a health and personal safety issue for these young women. There is a demonstrated need for health promotion strategies for this cohort about the consumption of safe levels of alcohol and for smoking cessation. Further research is recommended that includes a repetition of this study with a larger sample, the use of a prospective study design to identify trends in infection and examination of HPV prevalence and risk factors for a variety of populations.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2009.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

La mucoviscidose est une maladie héréditaire monogénique grave en rapport avec une mutation du gène codant pour la protéine CFTR et dont la morbidité est due principalement aux atteintes pulmonaires. La greffe pulmonaire développée depuis quelques années semble être la seule thérapie curative efficace. Toutefois, la rareté des greffons disponibles, justifie de développer d’autres thérapies comme la thérapie génique. Les pseudovirions de papillomavirus sont capables de transférer des gènes dans de nombreuses lignées cellulaires. Cependant, le tropisme naturel des papillomavirus est l’épithélium malpighien et ces pseudovirions sont peu efficaces pour les cellules de l’épithélium pulmonaire. Afin de modifier le tropisme de nos pseudocapsides de papillomavirus, la première étape de mon travail a été d’identifier de nouveaux motifs de ciblage pulmonaire. La technique de phage display a permis l’identification des motifs PHPNRAQ et VDRLQQK par sélection sur les cellules épithéliales bronchique IB3-1 et S9. / Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Lung transplantation developed in recent years is the only effective curative treatment. However, due to the limitation in organ donors, it is necessary to develop other therapies such as gene therapy. Papillomavirus pseudovirions have the potential to deliver genes into different cells. However, the natural tropism of HPV is directed to the cervical epithelial cells and these pseudovirions have low transduction efficacy in pulmonary epithelial cells. The purpose of this thesis was to retarget and optimize the HPV-16 pseudovirions tropism to airway cells by insertion of short amino acid sequences within the major capsid protein L1.

O Câncer de colo uterino é um dos tumores mais freqüentes em mulheres brasileiras, assim como o câncer de mama. O desenvolvimento do câncer cervical e sua associação aos tipos oncogênicos de Papilomavírus Humanos (HPV) está bem documentada, sendo esta infecção um fator necessário para o desenvolvimento do câncer cervical. Os tipos de HPV 16 e 18 são os mais freqüentemente relacionados a tumores invasivos, denominados, portanto de alto risco. Entretanto, outros fatores como atividade sexual precoce, número de parceiros sexuais, números elevados de gestações e partos, uso prolongado de contraceptivos orais, deficiência nutricional, tabagismo, baixo nível sócio econômico, baixa imunidade e outras doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) são fatores contribuintes para o desenvolvimento dessa patologia. Este estudo tem como objetivo conhecer a freqüência dos HPVs oncogênicos 16 e 18 na população de mulheres de uma área geográfica localizada na zona norte de Porto Alegre, bem como verificar as características associadas à presença deste vírus e sua relação com lesões do colo uterino. Trata-se de um estudo transversal cujo desfecho é a positividade ao HPV, em especial HPV 16 e 18, em mulheres de uma área geográfica localizada na zona norte de Porto Alegre. Um total de 1004 amostras de material do colo do útero foi coletado para realização do exame citopatológico convencional e para a identificação do HPV-DNA através da técnica da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Colposcopia e biópsia foram realizadas sempre que a citologia estivesse alterada e/ou a PCR para o HPV-DNA fosse positiva. A freqüência de HPV e sua distribuição por faixa etária são descritas, bem como a sua associação com as variáveis estudadas através das Razões de Chances (RC) estimadas por regressão logística múltipla. Observou-se uma freqüência de HPV-DNA de 30,8% na população estudada. Destas 17,8% são mulheres positivas para o HPV 16 e 5,5% para o HPV 18. O fato de mulheres não terem um companheiro fixo (Razão de Chance (RC) =1,42; Intervalo de Confiança (IC) de 95%: 1,10-2,00) mostrou-se associado com a positividade para outros HPVs. O HPV 16 mostrou uma associação positiva com mulheres mais jovens ( 34 anos) (RC=2,48;IC95%:1,22-5,05). Quanto ao HPV 18, as mulheres fumantes mostraram uma associação postiva com o desfecho (RC=3,57; IC95%:1,26 –10,10). Os resultados mostramram uma elevada freqüência do HPV na população analisada, onde o mais freqüente foi o tipo oncogênico HPV 16, o que pode ser muito útil no planejamento da utilização de vacinas para o HPV. Os achados também sugerem uma associação positiva de infecção pelo HPV em mulheres sem companheiro fixo e mulheres jovens com a infecção pelo HPV 16 e mulheres fumantes com a infecção pelo HPV 18.

O câncer cervical acomete anualmente cerca de 470.000 mulheres em todo o mundo e mais de 16.000 mulheres no Brasil. O desenvolvimento do câncer cervical e sua associação ao Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) estão bem documentados, sendo este o fator principal para o desenvolvimento do câncer cervical. A infecção genital por Chlamydia trachomatis é estudada como um co-fator no desenvolvimento de neoplasias intraepiteliais cervicais (NICs) e outras alterações celulares significativas em mulheres com histórico de infecção por HPV. Este estudo tem como objetivo conhecer a prevalência de infecção por HPV e Chlamydia trachomatis em uma amostra de mulheres assintomáticas de uma área geográfica localizada na zona norte de Porto Alegre, bem como verificar as características associadas à presença desta co-infecção e sua relação com lesões cervicais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal cujo desfecho é a positividade ao HPV e à Chlamydia trachomatis em uma amostra de mulheres assintomáticas de Porto Alegre. Um total de 1217 amostras de material do colo do útero foi coletado para realização do exame citopatológico e para a identificação do DNA-HPV e DNA-CT através da técnica da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Colposcopia e biópsia foram realizadas sempre que a citologia estivesse alterada e/ou a PCR para o HPV-DNA fosse positiva. A prevalência de HPV e Chlamydia trachomatis e sua distribuição por faixa etária são descritas, bem como a sua associação com as variáveis estudadas através das Razões de Chances (RC) estimadas por regressão logística múltipla. Observou-se uma prevalência de HPV-DNA de 28,4% (n=346/1217), de CT-DNA de 12,6% (n=152/1208) e de co-infecção por HPV e CT de 6,5% (n=78/1208). Mulheres não brancas (Razão de Chance (RC) =1,60; Intervalo de Confiança (IC) de 95%:1,10-2,38),assalariadas (RC=1,74; IC95%:1,17-2,60) e com parceiro apresentando história de condiloma genital (RC=2,35; IC95%:1,17-4,72) mostraram-se associadas com a positividade para HPV. A infecção por CT mostrou uma associação positiva com mulheres que iniciaram a vida sexual antes dos vinte anos (RC=1,82; IC95%:1,05-3,15) e assalariadas (RC=1,93; IC95%:1,15-3,25). Quanto à co-infecção por HPV e CT, mulheres com mais de três de parceiros sexuais na vida (RC=2,02; IC 95%:1,12-3,65) apresentaram uma associação positiva com o desfecho. Com relação à citologia, tanto a infecção por HPV quanto a co-infecção apresentaram associação significativa com anormalidades citológicas (p≤0.001). Os resultados mostraram uma elevada prevalência de HPV, de CT e de co-infecção em uma amostra de mulheres assintomáticas reforçando dados relatados na literatura. A associação destas infecções com variáveis sócioeconômicas, de comportamento sexual e com lesões do colo uterino, indicam a importância de medidas para a promoção e prevenção de saúde com este alvo específico dentro da rotina de serviços de atenção primária. Desta forma, acredita-se que estes dados possam ser muito úteis no planejamento de programas, incluindo o controle de Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis e a utilização de vacinas para o HPV.