Rabbits immunised with recombinant BCG expressing the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) L2E7E2 genes induces regression of established papillomas.
We previously demonstrated in a cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) challenge model that recombinant Bacille Calmette-Guerin (rBCG) could potentially be used as a prophylactic vaccine vehicle to deliver papillomavirus proteins. In this study we investigated whether regression of CRPV-induced papillomas could be achieved following immunisation of out-bred New Zealand White rabbits with rBCG expressing CRPVL2, CRPVE2, CRPVE7 or CRPVL2E7E2 proteins. Rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2E7E2 had papillomas that were largely suppressed and were significantly smaller compared to the rBCG negative control group (P</=0.01). In addition, four of the six rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2E7E2 had papillomas that completely regressed 1.5 weeks post third immunisation. Rabbits immunised with rBCG/CRPVL2, rBCG/CRPVE7, or rBCG/CRPVE2 had papillomas that were significantly smaller than the negative control rabbits (P</=0.05). The findings in this study suggest that BCG could probably be used as a vaccine delivery vehicle for human papillomavirus proteins as a possible therapeutic vaccine.
Govan
V A
VA
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa. vgovan@curie.uct.ac.za
Williamson
A-L
AL
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012777:Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D010212:Papilloma / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D011817:Rabbits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001500:BCG Vaccine; C422983:E2 protein, Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins