Potential of Recombinant Chimeric HPV16 L1/L2 VLPs Produced by Distinct Cell Lineages Such as Prophylactic Nanovaccine and Therapeutic Drug Nanocarriers

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes anogenital warts and six types of cancer in infected women, men, or children, being a challenge to global public health. HPV capsid is composed of viral type-specific L1 and evolutionarily conserved L2 proteins. Produced in heterologous systems, L1 protein can self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), nanoparticles sizing around 50-60 nm, used as prophylactic vaccines. Devoid of the viral genome, they are safe to users, offering no risk of infection and VLPs are not self-replicating. The immune response induced by VLPs is promoted by conformational viral epitopes, generating effective T- and B-cell reactions. Produced in different cell systems, VLPs can be obtained in large-scale for mass immunization programs. The expression of heterologous proteins was evaluated at various transfection times by transfecting cells with vectors encoding codon-optimized HPV16L1 and HPV16L2 genes. Immunological response induced by chimeric HPV16 L1/L2 VLP was evaluated through preclinical assays by antibody production, suggesting the potential of broad-spectrum protection against HPV, as prophylactic nanovaccine. Considering VLPs serve as platforms to display peptide antigens from other infectious agents or metabolic diseases, such as cancer, preventive and curative strategies are being explored. Assays with small synthetic peptides designed for delivery by HPV16 L1/L2 VLPs as nanocarriers are in progress, which could potentially be a groundbreaking study in the development of HPV chimeric nanovaccines. This review covers the various possibilities for complementary studies to develop potential prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines with broad-spectrum protection, using innovative methodologies to obtain more effective immunobiological in combating HPV and associated diseases.