Human and Animal Papillomavirus: Infections, Genetics, and Vaccines

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 4595

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Interests: nucleic acid vaccine; yeast-based vaccines; application of immunoinformatics in novel vaccine design; development and evaluation of HPV therapeutic; vaccine Zika; viral pathogenesis; Vaccine delivery
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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Interests: application of bioinformatics; bovine and human papillomavirus; molecular epidemiology; vaccines

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Guest Editor
Federal Institute of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil
Interests: bovine and human papillomavirus; molecular epidemiology; oncogenesis; infection biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Papillomavirus (PV) induces exophytic lesions (papillomas, warts) and flat lesions (flat warts, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) in cutaneous and mucosal epithelia. The lesions are usually benign and generally regress without eliciting severe clinical problems in the host, but occasionally persist. Persistent lesions can be debilitating and can also provide a focus for malignant transformation, particularly in the presence of environmental or genetic cofactors. Human PV (HPV) encompasses over 200 sequenced, characterized, and cataloged types. In contrast to HPV, Bos taurus papillomavirus (BPV) comprises only a few dozen.

For this Special Issue, we hope experts present exciting advances related to papillomavirus genetics and molecular epidemiology, infection biology, and prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine strategies.

Dr. Antonio Carlos de Freitas
Prof. Dr. Marcus Vinícius de Aragão Batista
Prof. Dr. Maria Angélica Ramos da Silva
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • vaccines
  • infection biology
  • genetics
  • molecular epidemiology
  • bioinformatics
  • oncogenesis
  • HPV and nongenital cancer
  • HPV and cancer
  • animal papillomavirus and associated diseases

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3086 KiB  
Article
Immune Response Modulation by HPV16 Oncoproteins in Lung Cancer: Insights from Clinical and In Vitro Investigations
by Bianca de França São Marcos, Daffany Luana dos Santos, Georon Ferreira de Sousa, Leonardo Carvalho de Oliveira Cruz, Bárbara Rafaela da Silva Barros, Matheus Gardini Amâncio Marques de Sena, Vanessa Emanuelle Pereira Santos, Talita Helena de Araújo Oliveira, Cristiane Moutinho Lagos de Melo and Antonio Carlos de Freitas
Viruses 2024, 16(11), 1731; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16111731 - 4 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rates worldwide, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with its carcinogenesis. In this study, HPV16 genes’ expressions were investigated in patient samples, along with the immunological response promoted by lymphocytes and monocytes in A549 cells transfected [...] Read more.
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rates worldwide, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with its carcinogenesis. In this study, HPV16 genes’ expressions were investigated in patient samples, along with the immunological response promoted by lymphocytes and monocytes in A549 cells transfected with HPV oncogenes and co-cultured with PBMC. An increase in the expression of E5 was observed in the patients’ samples. In the in vitro analysis, a decrease in the number of monocytes and cytotoxic cells was observed when co-stimulated by E6 and E7, and it promoted an increase in the Th2 profile. In contrast, the high proliferation of cytotoxic cells in A549 cells transfected with E5, associated with the high expression of costimulatory molecules in monocytes, suggests a low capacity of E5 to inhibit the presentation of antigens by antigen-presenting cells (APC) and a possible use of E5 in future therapeutic strategies against lung cancers associated with HPV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Animal Papillomavirus: Infections, Genetics, and Vaccines)
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10 pages, 570 KiB  
Article
Monitoring HPV Prevalence and Risk Cofactors for Abnormal Cytology in the Post-Vaccination Period among Croatian Women
by Ena Pešut, Ivana Šimić, Rajko Fureš, Nina Milutin Gašperov, Cvjetko Lež, Fabijan Feratović, Tomica Kukina Žvigač, Magdalena Grce, Ivana Erceg Ivkošić and Ivan Sabol
Viruses 2024, 16(4), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040642 - 20 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1472
Abstract
The incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Croatia remains a health challenge despite screening efforts. Besides the persistent infection with HPV, the development of cancer is also associated with some cofactors. The goal of this study was to assess circulating HPV [...] Read more.
The incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Croatia remains a health challenge despite screening efforts. Besides the persistent infection with HPV, the development of cancer is also associated with some cofactors. The goal of this study was to assess circulating HPV genotypes and risk factors for the development of cervical precancer after almost 16 years from the onset of HPV vaccination in Croatia. In this study, a total of 321 women attending gynecological care were evaluated. Relevant medical and demographic information, including cytology, were collected. HPV genotyping was performed by PCR. Comparing the HPV types found in circulation in the pre-vaccination (1999–2015) and post-vaccination periods (2020–2023), a statistically significant reduction in HPV 31 was noted, while the overall prevalence increased in the post-vaccination period. Besides the expected HPV positivity as a risk factor, the history of smoking was associated with LSIL or worse cytology at enrollment. For the first time, this population study revealed a statistically significant shift in the HPV genotype in the post-vaccination period, as well as the confirmation of risk factors for the development of abnormal cytology among Croatian women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Animal Papillomavirus: Infections, Genetics, and Vaccines)
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9 pages, 2663 KiB  
Case Report
Case Report of Two Independent Moroccan Families with Syndromic Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis and STK4 Deficiency
by Assiya El Kettani, Hind Ouair, Farida Marnissi, Jalila El Bakkouri, Rémi Chevalier, Lazaro Lorenzo, Halima Kholaiq, Vivien Béziat, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Jean-Laurent Casanova and Ahmed Aziz Bousfiha
Viruses 2024, 16(9), 1415; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091415 - 5 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis caused by β-human papillomaviruses (HPV) in immunodeficient patients. EV is characterized by flat warts and pityriasis-like lesions and might be isolated or syndromic, associated with some other infectious manifestations. We report here three patients from two [...] Read more.
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis caused by β-human papillomaviruses (HPV) in immunodeficient patients. EV is characterized by flat warts and pityriasis-like lesions and might be isolated or syndromic, associated with some other infectious manifestations. We report here three patients from two independent families, with syndromic EV for both of them. By whole exome sequencing, we found that the patients carry new homozygous variants in STK4, both leading to a premature stop codon. STK4 deficiency causes a combined immunodeficiency characterized by a broad infectious susceptibility to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Auto-immune manifestations were also reported. Deep immunophenotyping revealed multiple cytopenia in the three affected patients, in particular deep CD4+ T cells deficiency. We report here the fourth and the fifth cases of the syndromic EV due to STK4 deficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Animal Papillomavirus: Infections, Genetics, and Vaccines)
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11 pages, 805 KiB  
Perspective
Update on Effects of the Prophylactic HPV Vaccines on HPV Type Prevalence and Cervical Pathology
by Ian N. Hampson and Anthony W. Oliver
Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1245; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081245 - 2 Aug 2024
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Abstract
Most national prophylactic HPV vaccination programs started in approximately 2008, with either the bivalent Cervarix HPV16/18 or quadrivalent Gardasil (HPV6/11/16/18) vaccines, which were then followed by introduction of the nonavalent Gardasil 9 (HPV6/11/16/18/ 31/33/45/52/58) vaccine from 2015. Since that time, these products have [...] Read more.
Most national prophylactic HPV vaccination programs started in approximately 2008, with either the bivalent Cervarix HPV16/18 or quadrivalent Gardasil (HPV6/11/16/18) vaccines, which were then followed by introduction of the nonavalent Gardasil 9 (HPV6/11/16/18/ 31/33/45/52/58) vaccine from 2015. Since that time, these products have demonstrated their ability to prevent infection with vaccine-covered HPV types and subsequent development of HPV-related cervical and genital pathologies. The data indicate that vaccination of young girls prior to sexual debut is more effective than vaccination of older HPV+ve women. Although some studies have shown a decline in the prevalence of vaccine-covered HPV types, there are national and regional differences in overall vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, several recently published studies show an increase in the prevalence of non-vaccine-covered HPV types in vaccinated populations, which is indicative of HPV type-replacement. It is also notable that vaccine-related changes in HPV type prevalence spread between vaccinated and unvaccinated women at the same geographical location—presumably via sexual transmission. In conclusion, it is not yet clear what effect dissemination of vaccine-associated changes in HPV type prevalence will have on vaccine efficacy and cervical pathology, particularly in mixed populations of vaccinated and unvaccinated women. However, it is very clear these observations do underscore the need for long-term continuation of cervical screening combined with regular reassessment of testing practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Animal Papillomavirus: Infections, Genetics, and Vaccines)
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