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Updated: May 19, 2026

Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
[Preparation of HPV18 E7 peptide plus CpG vaccine and its immunologic effects in vitro]
Shu-jie Liao1, Wei-na Zhang, Xiao-ji Hu
1Department of Gynecologic & Obstetric, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Objective:
To screen and prepare the vaccine of human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 E7 peptide target at human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 plus CpG through SYFPEITHI.
Methods:
(1) The SYFPEITHI database was employed for predicting and screening of HPV18 E7 HLA-A2 restricted T cell epitopes.(2) The peripheral blood and tumor tissue sample of HLA-A2 positive and HPV18 positive/negative patients were collected and randomly divided into 7 groups, i.e. E7PA + CpG, E7PB + CpG, E7PC + CpG, E7PD + CpG, CpG, IR-T + CpG and control groups respectively. T cell proliferation was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at different timepoints. Lactate dehydrogenase delivery method (LDH) was used to test the cytolytic t lymphocyte (CTL) activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in different ratios of effect and target (E:T). And the level of activity T cells was evaluated by interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-related enzyme-linked immuno-spot assay (ELISPOT).
Results:
(1) Four peptides named E7PA, E7PB, E7PC and E7PD were obtained separately with high levels of affinity and specificity. (2) During continuous observations after vaccination, the E7PA + CpG group had the most pronounced proliferation rate. When E:T = 100:1, the E7PA + CpG group had more powerful CTL effect than the control group with statistic significance (P < 0.00). E:T was concentration-dependent. Except for IR-T + CpG, all other groups had great difference than control group with statistic significance (P < 0.05) but no significant difference between the groups. The levels of IFN-γ spot-forming T cells were higher in the E7PA + CpG group than the control group with statistic significance (P < 0.01). In terms of specificity, E7PA + CpG in the HPV18 positive group could induce the proliferation of IFN-γ-secreting T cells. And there was statistical difference with the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Screening the HPV18 E7 peptide target at HLA-A2 plus CpG as the candidate targets by SYFPEITHI may active specific immunological cellular responses to HPV18 positive disease.

