TPA and other small molecules can regulate the lategene expression in Human Papillomavirus (HPV-16)

Abstract: Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by the HPV virus, whit HPV 16 and 18 involved in the majority of cases. The HPV virus can be divided into high risk and low risk types, where the high risk types are most associated with cancer. HPV is spread by sexual skin to skin contact, many people get infected without getting cervical cancer. HPV is also involved in the development of several other types of cancers such as oral and other genital cancers. The HPV virus infects epithelium stem cells and disrupts basic functions of the cells. A high expression of the late genes early in an infection may result in that an HPV 16 infection dies out. The late gene expression was analysed by using a CAT ELISA method, in the cell lines used one of the late genes had been replaced by a CAT reporter gene. Several small molecules where investigated, to study the regulation of the late gene expression. The results of the study was that a regulation of the late gene expression could be seen when pBELMCAT was treated with TPA, TA and RA where TPA gave the highest increase in the late gene expression. TA/RA combined with TPA increased the expression even more. As a conclusion it seems possible for small molecules to be used in treatments for cervical cancer that is caused by HPV 16, to upregulate the late gene expression and maybe be able to eliminate the infection before serious damage and disease can develop.