Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
13:41
Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
Human papillomaviruses and the interferon response
Melanie Beglin1, Marta Melar-New, Laimonis Laimins
1Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Summary
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) can cause anogenital cancers. Interferon treatment shows complex effects, with some HPV-infected cells sensitive to growth arrest via p56 binding to the E1 protein.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are DNA viruses infecting keratinocytes, with certain types causing anogenital cancers.
- Interferon treatment for HPV lesions yields variable outcomes.
- HPV proteins interfere with interferon-inducible gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex interplay between interferon treatment and human papillomaviruses.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying differential cellular responses to interferon in HPV infections.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of interferon's effect on HPV-infected cells with complete genomes versus those expressing only E6/E7.
- Examination of the role of the interferon-inducible factor p56 and its interaction with the HPV E1 replication protein.
Main Results:
- Cells with complete HPV genomes are sensitive to interferon-induced growth arrest, unlike high-grade cancer cells expressing only E6/E7.
- Sensitivity to interferon-induced growth arrest is linked to p56 binding to the HPV E1 replication protein.
- Multiple viral proteins contribute to the complex response of HPV to interferon.
Conclusions:
- The cellular response to interferon in HPV infections is multifaceted, involving viral protein interactions.
- Targeting the p56-E1 interaction may offer therapeutic avenues for HPV-related cancers.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:25Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...
01:19Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...