Therapeutic vaccination of rabbits with a ubiquitin-fused papillomavirus E1, E2, E6 and E7 DNA vaccine

Vaccine. 2007 Aug 14;25(33):6158-63. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.06.012. Epub 2007 Jun 26.

Abstract

Previously, we showed that intracutaneous vaccination of rabbits with DNA vectors encoding ubiquitin-fused versions of the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) early proteins E1, E2, E6 and E7 protected against subsequent challenge with CRPV. Here, we tested the immunotherapeutic activity of a vaccine composed of the four CRPV DNA vectors (designated UbE1267) in rabbits. The results show that the UbE1267 DNA vaccine, relative to empty vector DNA, virtually eliminated papilloma growth in rabbits with subclinical infection and greatly reduced papilloma volumes in rabbits bearing papillomas at the time of vaccination. These results in a physiologically relevant animal model of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection indicate that DNA vaccines targeting the early papillomavirus proteins may have a role in the treatment of HPV-associated lesions in humans.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus / genetics
  • Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus / immunology*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Rabbits
  • Time Factors
  • Ubiquitin / chemistry*
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • Ubiquitin
  • Vaccines, DNA