Common neutralization epitope in minor capsid protein L2 of human papillomavirus types 16 and 6

J Virol. 1999 Jul;73(7):6188-90. doi: 10.1128/JVI.73.7.6188-6190.1999.

Abstract

Studies of virus neutralization by antibody are a prerequisite for development of a prophylactic vaccine strategy against human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Using HPV16 and -6 pseudovirions capable of inducing beta-galactosidase in infected monkey COS-1 cells, we examined the neutralizing activity of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize surface epitopes in HPV16 minor capsid protein L2. Two MAbs binding to a synthetic peptide with the HPV16 L2 sequence of amino acids (aa) 108 to 120 were found to inhibit pseudoinfections with HPV16 as well as HPV6. Antisera raised by immunizing BALB/c mice with the synthetic peptide had a cross-neutralizing activity similar to that of the MAb. The data indicate that HPV16 and -6 have a common cross-neutralization epitope (located within aa 108 to 120 of L2 in HPV16), suggesting that this epitope may be shared by other genital HPVs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • COS Cells
  • Capsid / immunology*
  • Capsid Proteins*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology*
  • Papillomaviridae / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • L2 oncogene viral capsid protein, Human papillomavirus type 6
  • L2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral