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Characterization of human aortic smooth muscle cells expressing HPV16 E6 and E7 open reading frames
S C Conroy1, C E Hart, N Perez-Reyes
1Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
The American Journal of Pathology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Human papillomavirus type 16 E6E7-transfected aortic smooth muscle cells largely retain normal cell characteristics but exhibit increased growth rates and polyribosome content, suggesting subtle alterations in cellular function without autocrine growth factor signaling.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Oncogenic Virology
Background:
- Human aortic smooth muscle cells are crucial for vascular health.
- Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) oncoproteins E6 and E7 are implicated in cellular transformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the phenotype of HPV16 E6E7-transfected human aortic smooth muscle cells with normal cells.
- To investigate the functional and morphological changes induced by HPV16 E6E7 expression in these cells.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis
- Electron microscopy
- Immunofluorescence assays
- Biochemical analyses
- Assessment of growth responses to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and heparin
Main Results:
- E6E7-expressing cells maintained key smooth muscle cell markers and appropriate responses to PDGF and heparin.
- Slight morphological alterations and a higher growth rate were observed in E6E7-expressing cells.
- Increased polyribosome content was detected in E6E7-expressing cells, independent of autocrine PDGF signaling.
Conclusions:
- HPV16 E6E7 expression induces subtle but significant changes in aortic smooth muscle cell phenotype, including increased proliferation.
- The enhanced growth rate is not mediated by autocrine PDGF signaling, suggesting alternative mechanisms.
- These findings contribute to understanding the role of HPV in vascular smooth muscle cell biology.