Overview of Human Papillomavirus-Like Particles

Abstract

Human papillomavirus causes one of the most common worldwide sexually transmitted diseases, which affect approximately 500 000 women each year. L1 protein is highly conserved among different HPV types, and has the ability to self assemble into VLP which have a high immunogenicity. The use of recombinant VLP as immunogens has increased in recent years. The two current prophylactic HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) are based on PSV which have proven very effective. There are dissimilar strategies to obtain VLP, including genetic modifications, the selection of a suitable expression system and optimization of purification methods. Despite the results of research in the field of developing HPV VLP, there is still much to do, due to the dissimilar influence of unknown variables that affect the organization and biological activity of this macromolecular complex. Purification of L1 protein is a key step in the preparation of HPV VLPs, which depends on the purification strategy used. Developing chimeric HPV VLPs it has become a promising strategy that allows the development of a heterogeneous humoral response against infections caused by different HPV types. Although progress has been made in researches aimed at developing HPV VLP, there are still many unknown variables that have influence over the macromolecular assembly of these structures.