Detection of antibodies against human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 virions by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant HPV 16 L1 capsids produced by recombinant baculovirus

Abstract

The L1 major capsid protein of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) was expressed in Sf-21 insect cells with a recombinant baculovirus. Virus-like particles obtained were purified and used to develop an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay for detection of anti-HPV-16 antibodies in sera from 76 women with evidence of genital HPV infection and 79 controls. HPV-16-infected individuals developed antibodies directed at HPV-16 virions since reactivity against recombinant HPV-16L1 capsids was observed in 50% of them compared with only 6% in the general adult population. However, some cross-reactivities with sera from women infected with others HPV types were observed.

Production of recombinant virus-like particles from human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, and study of serological reactivities between HPV 6, 11, 16 and 45 by ELISA: implications for papillomavirus prevention and detection

“…It appears that high anti-HPV 16 VLP antisera could give some positive reactivity if tested with HPV 11 or 45 VLPs. This observation could explain why a large proportion of patients infected with HPV types other than HPV 16 give 93 3% reactivity when tested by ELISA using HPV 16 VLPs [21,28].…”

“…Following incubation at 45³C for 90 min and four washes, bound antibodies were detected with anti-species speci¢c immunoglobulin covalently linked to horseradish peroxidase (Sigma, St Quentin Fallavier, France). Speci¢cally bound antibodies were detected as previously described [21]. ELISAs were performed in duplicate.…”

Erratum: The epidemiology of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in Uganda

“…The resulting virus-like particles (VLPs), which appear similar to empty virions, can be used in serological studies to test for type specific immunological responses to viral capsid proteins, although there is evidence that a particular assay may cross react with related HPV subtypes (Combita et al, 2002b). Presence of anti-VLP antibodies is an indicator of past and current infection (Kirnbauer et al, 1994;Le Cann et al, 1995;Wideroff et al, 1995;Dillner et al, 1996). The utility of such assays has been demonstrated in previous studies of anti-HPV-16 antibodies in relation to the risk of cancer of the uterine cervix (Lehtinen et al, 1996;Dillner et al, 1997;Shah et al, 1997;Vonka et al, 1999;Hisada et al, 2001).…”

Immunology of HPV infection and HPV‐associated tumors

“…135 The majority of women (50-59%) found to be positive for HPV16 DNA by PCR were positive for specific antibodies by VLP enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). 135,136 Importantly, 75% of patients with severe dysplasia had a positive serology. A proportion of women positive for HPV16 VLPs had a normal cytology, because the assay may also disclose a past infection.…”