PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES FROM HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS TYPE-6 AND TYPE-11, AND STUDY OF SEROLOGICAL REACTIVITIES BETWEEN HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16 AND HPV-45 BY ELISA - IMPLICATIONS FOR PAPILLOMAVIRUS PREVENTION AND DETECTION

The L1 major capsid proteins of human papillomaviruses types 6 and 11 were expressed in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses. These L1 proteins were shown to self-assemble into virus-like particles rese mbling papillomavirus virions as previously observed for HPV 16 and 45 . However, we observed variations in the yield of virus-like particles among the four genotypes investigated. This suggests that more than o ne strain of each genotype has to be investigated to obtain the high l evel of virus-like particle production necessary to develop HPV vaccin es or serological tests. Cross-reactivities between HPV 6, 11, 16 and 45 were studied using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to virus-li ke particles, L1 proteins and synthetic peptides. Although antisera re act strongly against homologous virus-like particles, there is evidenc e of some cross-reactivity. This could be one of the explanations for the fact that antibodies to one genotype are detected in individuals i nfected with another genotype. This study also identified a linear epi tope recognized by anti-HPV 16 virus-like particle sera. (C) 1998 Publ ished by Elsevier Science B.V.