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Serological assays intended for diagnosis, sero-epidemiologic assessment, and measurement of protective antibody titers upon infection or vaccination are essential for managing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Serological assays measuring the antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens are readily available. However, some lack appropriate characteristics to accurately measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titers and neutralization. We developed an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methods for measuring IgG, IgA, and IgM responses to SARS-CoV-2, Spike (S), receptor binding domain (RBD), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. Performance characteristics of sensitivity and specificity have been defined. ELISA results show positive correlation with microneutralization and Plaque Reduction Neutralization assays with infectious SARS-CoV-2. Our ELISA was used to screen healthcare workers in Louisville, KY during the first wave of the local pandemic in the months of May and July 2020. We found a seropositive rate of approximately 1.4% and 2.3%, respectively. Our analyses demonstrate a broad immune response among individuals and suggest some non-RBD specific S IgG and IgA antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common causes of head and neck cancer (HNC) with increasing incidence. HPV-associated HNC patients’ clinical response to treatment varies drastically, which has made treatment de-escalation clinical trials challenging. To address the need for noninvasive biomarkers that differentiate patient outcomes, serum antibodies to E7 oncoprotein levels were evaluated in serial serum specimens from HPV-positive HNC patients ( n = 48 ). We have found that increasing antibodies to E7 throughout treatment correlates with increased cancer recurrence or progression to mortality ( p = .004 ) with 100% specificity as a predictive test.

Immunosuppression increases the risk of cancers that are associated with viral infection1. In particular, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin-which has been associated with beta human papillomavirus (β-HPV) infection-is increased by more than 100-fold in immunosuppressed patients2-4. Previous studies have not established a causative role for HPVs in driving the development of skin cancer. Here we show that T cell immunity against commensal papillomaviruses suppresses skin cancer in immunocompetent hosts, and the loss of this immunity-rather than the oncogenic effect of HPVs-causes the markedly increased risk of skin cancer in immunosuppressed patients. To investigate the effects of papillomavirus on carcinogen-driven skin cancer, we colonized several strains of immunocompetent mice with mouse papillomavirus type 1 (MmuPV1)5. Mice with natural immunity against MmuPV1 after colonization and acquired immunity through the transfer of T cells from immune mice or by MmuPV1 vaccination were protected against skin carcinogenesis induced by chemicals or by ultraviolet radiation in a manner dependent on CD8+ T cells. RNA and DNA in situ hybridization probes for 25 commensal β-HPVs revealed a significant reduction in viral activity and load in human skin cancer compared with the adjacent healthy skin, suggesting a strong immune selection against virus-positive malignant cells. Consistently, E7 peptides from β-HPVs activated CD8+ T cells from unaffected human skin. Our findings reveal a beneficial role for commensal viruses and establish a foundation for immune-based approaches that could block the development of skin cancer by boosting immunity against the commensal HPVs present in all of our skin.

// Sujita Khanal 1 , Brian S. Shumway 2 , Maryam Zahin 3 , Rebecca A. Redman 3, 4 , John D. Strickley 3, 4 , Patrick J. Trainor 3 , Shesh N. Rai 3 , Shin-je Ghim 3 , Alfred Bennett Jenson 3 and Joongho Joh 3, 4, 5 1 Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 2 Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY, USA 3 James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA 4 Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA 5 Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA Correspondence to: Joongho Joh, email: joongho.joh@louisville.edu Keywords: human papillomavirus (HPV); HPV integration; HPV methylation; high-grade oral epithelial dysplasia (hgOED); head and neck cancer Received: April 10, 2018 Accepted: May 25, 2018 Published: July 13, 2018 ABSTRACT This study evaluated the integration and methlyation of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its oral precursor, high-grade oral epithelial dysplasia (hgOED). Archival samples of HPV16-positive hgOED ( N = 19) and HNSCC ( N = 15) were evaluated, along with three HNSCC (UMSCC-1, -47 and -104) and two cervical cancer (SiHa and CaSki) cell lines. HgOED cases were stratified into three groups with increasing degrees of cytologic changes (mitosis, karyorrhexis and apoptosis). The viral load was higher and the E2/E6 ratio lower (indicating a greater tendency toward viral integration) in group 3 than in groups 1 or 2 ( p = 0.002, 0.03). Methylation was not observed in hgOED cases and occurred variably in only three HNSCC cases (26.67%, 60.0% and 93.3%). In HNSCC cell lines, lower E7 expression correlated with higher levels of methylation. HgOED with increased cytologic change, now termed HPV-associated oral epithelial dysplasia (HPV-OED), exhibited an increased viral load and a tendency toward DNA integration, suggesting a potentially increased risk for malignant transformation. More detailed characterization and clinical follow-up of HPV-OED patients is needed to determine whether HPV-OED is a true precursor to HPV-associated HNSCC and to clarify the involvement of HPV in HNSCC carcinogenesis.

Previous studies of naturally occurring mouse papillomavirus (PV) MmuPV1-induced tumors in B6.Cg-Foxn1nu/nu mice suggest that T cell deficiency is necessary and sufficient for the development of such tumors. To confirm this, MmuPV1-induced tumors were transplanted from T cell-deficient mice into immunocompetent congenic mice. Consequently, the tumors regressed and eventually disappeared. The elimination of MmuPV1-infected skin/tumors in immunocompetent mice was consistent with the induction of antitumor T cell immunity. This was confirmed by adoptive cell experiments using hyperimmune splenocytes collected from graft-recipient mice. In the present study, such splenocytes were injected into T cell-deficient mice infected with MmuPV1, and they eliminated both early-stage and fully formed tumors. We clearly show that anti-tumor T cell immunity activated during tumor regression in immunocompetent mice effectively eliminates tumors developing in T cell-deficient congenic mice. The results corroborate the notion that PV-induced tumors are strongly linked to the immune status of the host, and that PV antigens are major anti-tumor antigens. Successful anti-PV T cell responses should, therefore, lead to effective anti-tumor immune therapy in human PV-infected patients.

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) etiology has become evident in head and neck cancers (HNCs) and HPV positivity showed a strong association with its malignant progression. Since aberrant DNA methylation is known to drive carcinogenesis and progression in HNCs, we investigated to determine target gene(s) associated with this modification. Methods We characterized epigenetic changes in tumor-related genes (TRGs) that are known to be associated with HNC development and its progression. Results The expression levels of 42 candidate HNC-associated genes were analyzed. Of these, 7 TGRs (CHFR, RARβ, GRB7, EREG, RUNX2, RUNX3, and SMG-1) showed decreased expressions in HPV-positive (+) HNC cells compared with HPV-negative (−) HNC cells. When gene expression levels were compared corresponding to the DNA methylation conditions, GRB7 and EREG showed significant differential expression between HPV+ and HPV− cells, which suggested these genes as primary targets of epigenetic regulation in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Furthermore, treatment with a demethylation agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc), caused restoration of EREG expression and was associated with hypomethylation of its promoter in HPV+ cells, while no changes was noted in HPV− cells. EREG promoter hypermethylation in HPV+ cells was confirmed using methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). Conclusion We conclude that EREG is the target of epigenetic regulation in HPV+ HNCs and its suppressed expression through promoter hypermethylation is associated with the development of HPV-associated HNCs.

Infection by mouse papillomavirus (PV), MmuPV1, of T cell-deficient, B6.Cg-Foxn1nu/J nude mice revealed that four, distinct squamous papilloma phenotypes developed simultaneously after infection of experimental mice. Papillomas appeared on the muzzle, vagina, and tail at or about day 42 days post-inoculation. The dorsal skin developed papillomas and hair follicle tumors (trichoblastomas) as early as 26 days after infection. Passive transfer of hyperimmune sera from normal congenic mice immunized with MmuPV1 virus-like particles (VLPs) to T cell-deficient strains of mice prevented infection by virions of experimental mice. This study provides further evidence that T cell deficiency is critical for tumor formation by MmuPV1 infection.

Background Current vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are highly effective and based on recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) of the major capsid protein L1. Since these vaccines are HPV type-specific and expensive for global implementation, an alternative, broader-spectrum immunogen would be the N-terminus of the minor capsid protein L2 that induces low titered broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies. Here we analyzed the reactivity of different synthetic L2 peptides containing N-terminus amino acids 17–36 in order to test their antigenicity. Methods Different synthetic peptides were designed to target the 17–36 amino acid sequences, present in highly antigenic amino-terminus of L2 protein. Six different peptides including Cys22–Cys28 disulfide bonded cyclized L2 peptide were examined for their antigenicity against mouse monoclonal antibody RG-1 and rabbit polyclonal antisera to HPV L2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Here we report that the cyclized form of synthetic L2 peptide, which is formed through Cys22–Cys28 disulfide bridges, has the highest reactivity to antibodies than other synthetic L2 peptides. Conclusion A cyclized L2 peptide has potential to be an excellent candidate to formulate a low-cost, broadly protective pan-oncogenic HPV vaccine.

The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirotris) is considered a threatened aquatic mammal in United States coastal waters. Over the past decade, the appearance of papillomavirus-induced lesions and viral papillomatosis in manatees has been a concern for those involved in the management and rehabilitation of this species. To date, three manatee papillomaviruses (PVs) have been identified in Florida manatees, one forming cutaneous lesions (TmPV1) and two forming genital lesions (TmPV3 and TmPV4). In this study, we identified DNA sequences with the potential to form G-quadruplex structures in all three PVs. G-quadruplex structures (G4) are guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences capable of forming secondary structures in DNA and RNA. In humans, G4 are known to regulate molecular processes such as transcription and translation. Although G4 have been identified in several viral genomes, including human PVs, no attempt has been made to identify G4 in animal PVs. We found that sequences capable of forming G4 were present on both DNA strands and across coding and non-coding regions on all PVs. The vast majority of the identified sequences would allow the formation of non-canonical structures with only two G-tetrads. The formation of one such structure was supported through biophysical analysis. Computational analysis demonstrated enrichment of G4 sequences on the reverse strand in the E2/E4 region on all manatee PVs and on the forward strand in the E2/E4 region on one genital PV. Several G4 sequences occurred at similar regional locations on all PVs, most notably on the reverse strand in the E2 region. In other cases, G4 were identified at similar regional locations only on PVs forming genital lesions. On all PVs, G4 sequences were located near putative E2 binding sites in the non-coding region. Together, these findings suggest that G4 are likely regulatory elements in manatee PVs.Author summaryG-quadruplex structures (G4) are found in the DNA and RNA of many species and are known to regulate the expression of genes and the synthesis of proteins, among other important molecular processes. Recently, these structures have been identified in several viruses, including the human papillomavirus (PV). As regulatory structures, G4 are of great interest to researchers as drug targets for viral control. In this paper, we identify the first G4 sequences in three PVs infecting a non-human animal, the Florida manatee. Through computational and biophysical analysis, we find that a greater variety of sequence patterns may underlie the formation of these structures than previously identified. The sequences are found in all protein coding regions of the virus and near sites for viral replication in non-coding regions. Furthermore, the distribution of these sequences across the PV genomes supports the notion that sequences are conserved across PV types, suggesting they are under selective pressure. This paper extends previous research on G4 in human PVs with additional evidence for their role as regulators. The G4 sequences we identified also provide potential regulatory targets for researchers interested in controlling this virus in the Florida manatee, a threatened aquatic mammal.

Correctly folded virus-like particles (VLPs) of papillomavirus (PV) display conformationally dependent epitopes that are type specific, maintained on authentic virions, and induce neutralizing antibodies. Alignment of the L1 amino acid (aa) sequences of 84 PVs revealed that the lengths of their N-termini are diverse and that multiple, possible initiation methionine (met) codons exist. The L1 gene of MusPV (MmuPV1), that naturally infects immunodeficient laboratory mouse strain (NMRI- Foxn1 nu / Foxn1 nu ), has four met codons at the 1st, 2nd, 28th, and 30th aas from its N-terminus. Of these, the 3rd and 4th mets, that are at the 28th and 30th aa position from the N-termius, respectively, are located at the position where most PVs have their first met. These two mets, located at the 9th and 11th from the YLPP conserved aas of most PVs, should be considered as consensus initiation codons of PV L1s. Three L1 proteins of MusPV, starting from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th mets, were expressed using a baculovirus expression system and characterized for their ability to self-assemble into VLPs. While MusPV L1 proteins starting from the 2nd met expressed an L1 protein that did not fold into VLPs, the L1s starting from the 3rd and 4th mets generated correct VLPs in abundant quantities. We now conclude that the highest quantity and best quality VLPs are made from the consensus L1 met of MusPV.

Mouse parvoviruses (MPVs) are small, single-stranded, 5 kb DNA viruses that are subclinical and endemic in many laboratory mouse colonies. MPVs cause more distinctive deleterious effects in immune-compromised or genetically-engineered mice than immuno-competent mice. At the University of Louisville (U of L), there was an unexpected increase of MPV sero-positivity for MPV infections in mouse colonies between January 2006 and February 2007, resulting in strategic husbandry changes aimed at controlling MPV spread throughout the animal facility. To investigate these MPVs, VP2 genes of seven MPVs were cloned and sequenced from eight documented incidences by PCR technology. The mutations in these VP2 genes were compared to those found at the Genbank database (NCBI; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and an intra-institutional phylogenetic tree for MPV infections at U of L was constructed. We discovered that the seven MPV isolates were different from those in Genbank and were not identical to each other. These MPVs were designated MPV-UL1 to 7; none of them were minute virus of mice (MVMs). Four isolates could be classified as MPV1, one was classified as MPV2, and two were defined as novel types with less than 96% and 94% homology with existing MPV types. Considering that all seven isolates had mutations in their VP2 genes and no mutations were observed in VP2 genes of MPV during a four-month time period of incubation, we concluded that all seven MPVs isolated at U of L between 2006 and 2007 probably originated from different sources. Serological survey for MPV infections verified that each MPV outbreak was controlled without further contamination within the institution.

MusPV, a novel papillomavirus (PV) that naturally infects laboratory mice, was isolated and characterized from a colony of NMRI-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu) (nude) mice in India. Because MusPV may have been missed during routine pathogen screening of mice in colonies worldwide, a variety of detection methods are described to detect MusPV. The clinical and histologic lesions of productive MusPV infections fit PV-associated features, including papillomas, koilocytes within the stratum granulosum of the hyperplastic/acanthotic papillomatous epithelium, and the presence of intranuclear virus particles in koilocytotic cells visualized by electron microscopy. Antiserum against disrupted PV virions, isolated from another species (canine), identified conserved viral antigens in productively infected cells by immunohistochemistry. A rolling circle technique was used to amplify viral circular DNAs followed by endonuclease restriction enzyme digestion to determine the correct size of PV DNA. Consensus PV degenerative primers, My09/11, commonly used to detect many different types of PVs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), particularly mucosotropic HPVs, also identified MusPV and all rodent PVs tested. Since there was one nucleotide mismatch between the My09/11 primer set and the MusPV template, a new primer set, MusPV-My09/11, was designed to specifically detect MusPV in latent infections and spontaneous MusPV-induced papillomas. Southern blot analysis verified the presence of full size PV DNA in infected tissues. Virus-like particles (VLPs), generated from MusPV L1 genes, provided a substrate for serological testing of naturally and experimentally infected mice. In summary, a series of diagnostic assays were developed and validated to detect MusPV infection in skin tumors and serological response in laboratory mice.

Constitutive STAT3 activation by tyrosine phosphorylation of mutated or amplified tyrosine kinases (pYSTAT3) is critical for cancer initiation, progression, invasion, and motility of carcinoma cells. We showed that AF1q is associated with STAT3 signaling in breast cancer cells. In xenograft models, enhanced AF1q expression activated STAT3 and promoted tumor growth and metastasis in immunodeficient NSG mice. The cytokine secretory phenotype of MDA-MB-231LN breast cancer cells with altered AF1q expression revealed changes in expression of platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-B). AF1q-induced PDGF-B stimulated motility, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231LN cells, and AF1q up-regulated platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling. Further, AF1q-induced PDGFR signaling enhanced STAT3 activity through Src kinase activation, which could be blocked by the Src kinase inhibitor PP1. Moreover, AF1q up-regulated tyrosine kinase signaling through PDGFR signaling, which was blockable by imatinib. In conclusion, we demonstrated that enhanced AF1q expression contributes to persistent and oncogenic pYSTAT3 levels in invasive carcinoma cells by activating Src kinase through activation of the PDGF-B/PDGFR cascade. Therefore, AF1q plays an essential role as a cofactor in PDGF-B-driven STAT3 signaling.

A papillomavirus (PV) that naturally infects laboratory mice will provide an extremely valuable tool for PV research. We describe here the isolation, cloning and molecular analysis of the first novel laboratory-mouse PV, designated MusPV. This agent, recently identified in the tissues from florid and asymmetrical papillomas on the face of nude mice (NMRI-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu)), was demonstrated to be transmissible to immunocompetent mice (Ingle et al., 2010). The MusPV genome is 7510 bp in length, is organized similarly to those of other PVs and has at least seven ORFs (E1, E2, E4, E6, E7, L1 and L2). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that MusPV belongs to the π genus together with four other rodent PVs (McPV2, MaPV1, MmiPV and RnPV1). Of the rodent PVs, MusPV appears most closely related to Mastomys coucha PV (McPV2), with 65 % genomic homogeneity and 80 % L1 amino acid similarity. Rodent PVs, except for MnPV1, do not contain any identifiable retinoblastoma protein (RB) binding sites. MusPV has one putative RB-binding site on the E6 protein but not on the E7 protein. Non-coding regions (NCRs) of PVs maintain multiple binding sites for transcription factors (TFs). The NCR of MusPV has numerous sites for TF binding, of which at least 13 TFs are common to all PVs in the π genus. MusPV provides a potentially valuable, novel mouse model to study mechanisms of infection, oncology and novel preventive and therapeutic approaches in mice that can be translated to diseases caused by human PVs.

Most papillomaviruses (PVs) are oncogenic. There are at least 100 different human PVs and 65 nonhuman vertebrate hosts, including wild rodents, which have species–specific PV infections. Florid papillomatosis arose in a colony of NMRI- Foxn1nu/Foxn1nu (nude) mice at the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer in India. Lesions appeared at the mucocutaneous junctions of the nose and mouth. Histologically, lesions were classical papillomas with epidermal hyperplasia on thin fibrovascular stalks in a verrucous pattern. Koilocytotic cells were observed in the stratum granulosum of the papillomatous lesions. Immunohistochemically, these abnormal cells were positive for PV group-specific antigens. With transmission electron microscopy, virus particles were observed in crystalline intranuclear inclusions within keratinocytes. The presence of a mouse PV, designated MusPV, was confirmed by amplification of PV DNA with degenerative primers specific for PVs. This report is the first of a PV and its related disease in laboratory mice.

The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirotris) is a threatened aquatic mammal in United States coastal waters. Over the past decade, the appearance of papillomavirus-induced lesions and viral papillomatosis in manatees has been a concern for those involved in the management and rehabilitation of this species. To date, three manatee papillomaviruses (TmPVs) have been identified in Florida manatees, one forming cutaneous lesions (TmPV1) and two forming genital lesions (TmPV3 and TmPV4). We identified DNA sequences with the potential to form G-quadruplex structures (G4) across the three genomes. G4 were located on both DNA strands and across coding and non-coding regions on all TmPVs, offering multiple targets for viral control. Although G4 have been identified in several viral genomes, including human PVs, most research has focused on canonical structures comprised of three G-tetrads. In contrast, the vast majority of sequences we identified would allow the formation of non-canonical structures with only two G-tetrads. Our biophysical analysis confirmed the formation of G4 with parallel topology in three such sequences from the E2 region. Two of the structures appear comprised of multiple stacked two G-tetrad structures, perhaps serving to increase structural stability. Computational analysis demonstrated enrichment of G4 sequences on all TmPVs on the reverse strand in the E2/E4 region and on both strands in the L2 region. Several G4 sequences occurred at similar regional locations on all PVs, most notably on the reverse strand in the E2 region. In other cases, G4 were identified at similar regional locations only on PVs forming genital lesions. On all TmPVs, G4 sequences were located in the non-coding region near putative E2 binding sites. Together, these findings suggest that G4 are possible regulatory elements in TmPVs.

In order to isolate and identify the developmentally regulated genes during fruiting body development, cDNA libraries were constructed from eight developmental stages of the Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus. From these libraries, 11 761 expressed sequence tags (PoESTs) were generated. Of these, 4060 different genes (PoUnigenes) were identified, representing 34.5% of the entire genome. Redundancy analysis of ESTs during the developmental stages identified eight, 13 and two genes that were specifically expressed in mycelia, fruiting body and basidiospore, respectively. RT-PCR was used to confirm the specific expression of nine genes which showed specific redundancy in fruiting body stages, four genes of which were expressed specifically in fruiting body stages as expected in redundancy analysis, and other genes were expressed abundantly in fruiting body stages. The EST database of P. ostreatus generated during this study provides a genetic and biochemical basis for future studies of the developmental stages of basidiomycetes.

We isolated two new manatee papillomavirus (PV) types, TmPV3 and TmPV4, from a Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Two PV types were previously isolated from this species. TmPV1 is widely dispersed amongst manatees and a close-to-root PV; not much is known about TmPV2. The genomes of TmPV3 and TmPV4 were 7622 and 7771 bp in size, respectively. Both PVs had a genomic organization characteristic of all PVs, with one non-coding region and seven ORFs, including the E7 ORF that is absent in other cetacean PVs. Although these PVs were isolated from separate genital lesions of the same manatee, an enlarged E2/E4 ORF was found only in the TmPV4 genome. The full genome and L1 sequence similarities between TmPV3 and TmPV4 were 63.2 and 70.3 %, respectively. These genomes shared only 49.1 and 50.2 % similarity with TmPV1. The pairwise alignment of L1 nucleotide sequences indicated that the two new PVs nested in a monophyletic group of the genus Rhopapillomavirus, together with the cutaneotropic TmPV1 and TmPV2.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) typing of oral lesions microscopically consistent with multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH) was performed to identify potential novel clinical presentations.MEH (N = 22 lesions, 17 patients) and squamous papilloma control samples (N = 9 lesions, 9 patients) were compared by using polymerase chain reaction-based HPV genotyping. Student's t tests were used to compare continuous characteristics.Of the study cases, 86.4% of MEH and only 11% of controls were positive for HPV (P = .0002). In MEH lesions, 45.5% contained HPV32, 36.4% HPV6, and 4.5% HPV40. MEH lesions were mostly multifocal (50%) and occurred in HIV-negative patients (81.3%). They predominated on the labial/buccal mucosa (63.3%), and there were significant differences between groups by anatomic site (P.0001). HPV32, but not HPV6, was detected in known HIV-positive patients.A novel clinical presentation of MEH associated with HPV32 in HIV-negative, middle-aged to older adults is reported here. One case with HPV40 is the first to be reported. Future detection protocols should include HPV32, as it may be currently overlooked.

Skeletal muscle is an heterogeneous tissue with various biochemical and physical properties of several fiber types. In this study, we carried out the comparative study of protein expression patterns in white and red muscles using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). From more than 500 protein spots detected on each 2-DE gel, we screened five proteins that were differentially expressed between white and red muscles. Using peptide mass fingerprint and tandem mass spectrometry analysis these proteins were identified as myoglobin, two slow-twitch isoforms of myosin light chain and two small heat shock proteins (HSP20 and HSP27). The protein levels of myoglobin, myosin light chain and HSP20 were higher in red muscle, whereas HSP27 was higher in white muscle. In addition, genes of the identified proteins were cloned and their mRNAs were examined. Positive correlations between protein content and their mRNA levels were observed in white and red muscle. These results may provide us with valuable information to understand the different expression profiling between white and red muscle at the protein level.

Background. A significant number of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) have human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA integrated in their genome. This study sought to further establish HPV’s possible etiologic link to NSCLC by evaluating an immune response to HPV’s oncogene, E7, in patients with NSCLC.Patients and Methods. Antibodies (IgG) in serum against E7 for HPV 16 and 18 in 100 patients with NSCLC were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. Sixteen NSCLC patients were found to have a high titration of IgG for HPV oncogenic E7 protein. 23.5% of adenocarcinomas (AC,) and 15.4% of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were positive for IgG against HPV E7. HPV-18 (11%) had a slightly higher frequency than HPV-16 (6%). Of the six positive cases for HPV-16, 3 were AC, 2 SCC, and 1 NOS (not otherwise specified). For the 11 HPV-18 positives, 7 were AC, and 4 SCC. The one case with IgG against HPV 16 and 18 was AC. One case had high cross-reactive levels against E7 of HPV 16 and 18. Two (28%) of 7 patients who reported never smoking were positive for HPV, and 12 (13.6%) of 88 smokers were HPV positive.Conclusions. The study detected high levels of IgG against E7 in 16% of NSCLC patients. This adds evidence to a potential role of HPV in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.

Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy among women particularly in developing countries, with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 causing 50% of invasive cervical cancers. A plant-based HPV vaccine is an alternative to the currently available virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, and would be much less expensive. We optimized methods to express HPV16 L1 protein and purify VLPs from tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves transfected with the magnICON deconstructed viral vector expression system. L1 proteins were extracted from agro-infiltrated leaves using a series of pH and salt mediated buffers. Expression levels of L1 proteins and VLPs were verified by immunoblot and ELISA, which confirmed the presence of sequential and conformational epitopes, respectively. Among three constructs tested (16L1d22, TPL1d22, and TPL1F), TPL1F, containing a full-length L1 and chloroplast transit peptide, was best. Extraction of HPV16 L1 from leaf tissue was most efficient (> 2.5% of total soluble protein) with a low-salt phosphate buffer. VLPs were purified using both cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradient and size exclusion chromatography. Electron microscopy studies confirmed the presence of assembled forms of HPV16 L1 VLPs. Collectively; our results indicated that chloroplast-targeted transient expression in tobacco plants is promising for the production of a cheap, efficacious HPV16 L1 VLP vaccine. Studies are underway to develop plant VLPs for the production of a cervical cancer vaccine.

Infection by mouse papillomavirus (PV), MmuPV1, of T cell-deficient, B6.Cg-Foxn1nu/J nude mice revealed that four, distinct squamous papilloma phenotypes developed simultaneously after infection of experimental mice. Papillomas appeared on the muzzle, vagina, and tail at or about day 42 days post-inoculation. The dorsal skin developed papillomas and hair follicle tumors (trichoblastomas) as early as 26 days after infection. When this aggressive tumor was transplanted into normal congenic strains, the transplant immediately regressed while the transplanted tumor into B6.Cg-Foxn1nu/J continued to grow. This result suggested that T-cell deficiency is critical to tumor formation. Passive transfer of hyperimmune sera from normal congenic mice immunized with MmuPV1 virus-like particles (VLPs) to T cell-deficient strains of mice prevented infection by virions of experimental mice. A cell adoption study showed that activated CD8+ populations collected during the regression process of MmuPV1 tumor explants efficiently eliminated both growing and established tumors in the model. Consequently, this study will provide an efficient immunotherapeutic strategy that can be employed to HPV-positive patients, who are at a risk of cancer development. Citation Format: Joongho Joh, Shinje Ghim, Paula M. Chilton, Jino Park, Sarah A. Wilcher, Mary L. Proctor, Alfred B. Jenson. Antitumor immune response passively prevents and eliminates skin tumors on the mouse model of human papillomavirus cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-297.

Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) induce cancers, especially cervical cancers in women. A meta-analysis of the literature suggests that HPV is also associated with 20%-25% of non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Merkel cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) causes most Merkel cell carcinomas in immunocompromised hosts, and is associated with some squamous carcinomas of skin in immunocompetent individuals. Since both oncogenic viruses appear to involve the tonsils and, therefore, have clear access to the lungs, we examined that the possible association of HPV and MCPyV infections with lung cancers, especially, NSCLC. DNAs were extracted from 51 frozen tissues from 30 lung cancer patients, and examined for the presence of HPV and MCPyV by PCR and DNA sequencing analysis. Clinical data was correlated with the viral status. HPVs were only detected in 5 adenocarcinomas (16.7% of all lung cancers examined). Three were positive for HPV-16, 1 for HPV-11 and 1 had an unknown HPV type DNA. None was identified in benign tissue. MCPyV DNA was detected in 5 NSCLCs (16.7%). Three of the 5 were identified in squamous carcinomas, 1 in adenocarcinoma, and 1 in an unspecified NSCLC. Two additional samples were positive for MCPyV DNA within benign adjacent lung tissue only. In one adenocarcinoma, HPV-11 was identified in an adenocarcinoma, and MCPyV DNA was detected in the adjacent "benign" tissue. HPV and MCPyV were directly associated with 33.3% of NSCLC. Further studies are necessary to determine if polyomavirus and papillomavirus are necessary risk factors for some cases of NSCLC.

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are a group of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that cause mucosal or cutaneous neoplasia in a variety of animals. Whilst most papillomas will regress spontaneously, some may persist or undergo malignant transformation. In this study, aggressive, persistent and extensive warts were observed on the hands and feet of a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The presence of PV in the wart biopsies was identified by immunohistochemistry and PCR amplification of PV DNA. The genomic DNA of this PV was cloned and sequenced, and the PV was designated M. fascicularis papillomavirus type 1 (MfPV-1). Its genome was 7588 bp in length and the organization of its putative open reading frames (E1, E2, E6, E7, L1, L2 and E4) was similar to that of other PVs. MfPV-1 had a short non-coding region (NCR) of 412 bp. Molecular analysis of MfPV-1 genomic DNA classified it into the genus Betapapillomavirus, to which all epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV)-type PVs belong. Diseases caused by PVs of the genus Betapapillomavirus are usually associated with natural or iatrogenic immunosuppression. The genomic characterization performed in this study showed that MfPV-1 clustered within the genus Betapapillomavirus and also contained EV-type-specific motifs in its NCR. Further characterization of this virus and its host interactions may allow us to develop a non-human primate model for human betapapillomaviruses, a genus populated by human PV types causing EV.

A cDNA clone, PoMTP, encoding a putative metzincin family metalloprotease was isolated from the expressed sequence tags of a basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus. The 5 0 -end sequence of PoMTP was determined by the 5 0 -RACE method. Full-length cDNA sequence (1140 bp) of PoMTP contained a 870 bp open reading frame encoding a protein product of 290 amino acids in addition to a9 9 bp of 5 0 -untranslated sequence and a 171 bp of 3 0 -untranslated sequence with a poly(A) tail. The deduced amino-acid sequences of PoMTP contained an extensive zinc-binding consensus sequence and a so-called Met-turn sequence which are typical for the metzincin family of metalloproteases, indicating that the PoMTP protein belongs to the metzincin metalloproteases. Four cysteine residues were also observed in the zinc-binding region of PoMTP amino-acid sequence, which are known to be important for the structure and the function of some subfamilies of the metzincins. Comparison of the PoMTP in sequence database showed no significant homology with functionally known metalloproteases of Armillaria mellea, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune and Tricholoma saponaceum in mushroom. Northern blot and qunatitative RT-PCR analyses indicated the PoMTP mRNA to be abundant at primordial and fruit body stages, but scarce at the mycelial stage, suggesting that the PoMTP metalloprotease plays an important role in mushroom fruiting. 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is one of the most important edible mushrooms worldwide. The mechanism of P. ostreatus fruiting body development has been of interest both for the basic understanding of the phenotypic change of the mycelium-fruiting body and to improve breeding of the mushrooms. Based on our previous publication of P. ostreatus expressed sequence tag database, 1,528 unigene clones were used in macroarray analysis of mycelium, fruiting body and basidiospore developmental stages of P. ostreatus. Gene expression profile databases generated by evaluating expression levels showed that 33, 10, and 94 genes were abundantly expressed in mycelium, fruiting body and basidiospore developmental stages, respectively. Among them, the genes specifically expressed in the fruiting body stage were further analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot to investigate temporal and spatial expression patterns. These results provide useful information for future studies of edible mushroom development.