# Patent

## Title
Composition for preventing or treating cervical cancer having human papillomavirus plasmodium and immunity enhancer

## Abstract

A composition for preventing or treating cervical cancer comprising a human papillomavirus plasmodium and an immunity enhancer is provided. A fusion protein including a fusion polypeptide recombined to transform a 3D structure of E6 and E7, which are antigens against types 16 and 18 human papillomavirus (HPV), a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide outside the cells and an immunity enhancer peptide present in an individual is also provided. The fusion protein may be useful in treating HPV-triggered tumors by inducing an immune response specific to the antigens against the HPV types 16 and 18.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/816,716, which is the national phase application of International Application No. PCT/KR2010/005367, which was filed Aug. 13, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.


REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY VIA EFS-WEB
The content of the electronically submitted sequence listing (Name 2629_0020001_SequenceListing.txt; Size: 10,975 bytes; Date of Creation: Mar. 3, 2015) filed with the application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating cervical cancer comprising a human papillomavirus (HPV) plasmodium and an immunity enhancer, and, more particularly, to a fusion protein including a fusion polypeptide recombined to transform a 3-dimensional (3D) structure of E6 and E7, which are antigens of types 16 and 18 HPV, a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide outside the cells, and an immunity enhancer peptide present in an individual, wherein the fusion protein may treat HPV-triggered tumors by inducing an immune response specific to HPV type 16 and 18 antigens.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Cervical cancer has been known as a disease that develops from infection of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) of very high concern such as types 16 and 18 (zur Hausen, H et al. Biochem Biophys Acta 1996, 1288; F55-F78, Mark H et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993, 85; 958-964). Among HPV proteins, E6 and E7 proteins play an important role in the onset of cervical cancer, and are important target substances used to prepare a vaccine for treating and preventing cervical cancer since they are confirmed to be expressed in 99% of tumor tissues from cervical cancer patients (von Knebel Doeberitz et al. Int. J. Cancer 1992, 51; 831-834). In this case, E6 is bound to p53 known as a tumor suppressor protein to facilitate degradation of the p53, thereby obstructing a cell cycle from leading to the apoptosis pathway, and E7 is bound to a retinoblastoma protein, pRb, known as a tumor suppressor factor to inactivate the retinoblastoma protein and facilitate degradation of the retinoblastoma protein, thereby allowing the cell cycle to enter the S stage (Cobrinik et al., Trends Biochem Sci 1992, 17:312-5).
In clinical trials using a composition including a nucleic acid sequence in which HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins are simultaneously expressed to treat cervical cancer, however, the composition has shown a poor therapeutic effect (Garcia F et al. Obstet Gynecol 2004, 103; 317-326). These results indicate that a sufficient antigen-specific immune response to treat or suppress cervical cancer is not triggered when only an HPV antigen is simply administered.
Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the immunogenicity of E6 and E7 proteins to treat cervical cancer, and remove the proteins' capability of developing into cancer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to providing a novel fusion protein for preventing or treating HPV-triggered diseases, and a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein. Here, the fusion protein suppresses the HPV E6 and E7 proteins' capability of developing into cancer and shows enhanced immunogenicity as well.
Also, the present invention is directed to providing a recombinant vector expressing the fusion protein, a host cell including the recombinant vector, and a method of expressing the fusion protein using the host cell.
In addition, the present invention is directed to providing a composition for preventing or treating HPV-triggered diseases using the fusion protein.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed to providing a method of preventing or treating HPV-triggered diseases using the composition.
One aspect of the present invention provides a fusion protein including a fusion polypeptide configured to transform a 3D structure of E6 and E7 derived from HPV types 16 and 18 and having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide, and an immunity enhancer peptide.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a recombinant vector including the polynucleotide according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a host cell transformed with the recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method of expressing the fusion protein of the present invention by incubating the host cell transformed with the recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a composition for preventing or treating an HPV-triggered disease in an individual in need thereof. Here, the composition includes at least one selected from the group consisting of the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the host cell transformed with the recombinant vector that expresses the fusion protein, and a homogenate of the host cell as an effective ingredient.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating HPV-triggered diseases in an individual in need thereof. Here, the method includes administering an effective amount of the composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention to the individual.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a graph showing the HPV16 E6-specific CD8+ T cellular responses which are induced by treatment with GX-188E according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention after a tumor cell line, TC-1, is injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 rats in a model of anticancer treatment.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the HPV16 E7-specific CD8+ T cellular responses which are induced by treatment with GX-188E according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention after a tumor cell line, TC-1, is injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 rats in the model of anticancer treatment.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the HPV18 E6-specific CD8+ T cellular responses which are induced by treatment with GX-188E according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention after a tumor cell line, TC-1, is injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 rats in the model of anticancer treatment.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the HPV18 E7-specific CD8+ T cellular response which is induced by treatment with GX-188E according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention after a tumor cell line, TC-1, is injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 rats in the model of anticancer treatment.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the anti-cancer effects which are caused by treatment with GX-188E according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention after a tumor cell line, TC-1, is injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 rats in the model of anticancer treatment.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms. The following embodiments are described in order to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and practice the present invention.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of exemplary embodiments. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exemplary embodiments. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
With reference to the appended drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. To aid in understanding the present invention, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures, and the description of the same elements will be not reiterated.
Hereinafter, configurations of the present invention will be described in further detail.
The present invention is directed to providing a novel fusion protein including a fusion polypeptide configured to transform a 3D structure of E6 and E7 derived from HPV types 16 and 18 and having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide, and an immunity enhancer peptide.
The fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a fusion polypeptide recombined to transform a 3D structure of the E6 and E7 derived from the HPV types 16 and 18. More particularly, the fusion polypeptide is a fusion polypeptide in which 1st to 85th amino acids of the E6 protein derived from the HPV type 16, 1st to 65th amino acids of the E7 protein, 71st to 158th amino acids of the E6 protein, and 51st to 98th amino acids of the E7 protein, 1st to 85th amino acids of the E6 protein derived from the HPV type 18, 1st to 65th amino acids of the E7 protein, 71st to 158th amino acids of the E6 protein, and 51st to 105th amino acids of the E7 protein are bound in sequence.
Most particularly, the fusion polypeptide may have an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.
Also, the signal peptide refers to a peptide including approximately 20 to 30 amino acids, which serves to secrete a protein expressed in cells, particularly, a protein including a fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7 outside the cells. Also, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the signal peptide is referred to as a “secretory signal sequence.” The fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a protein (i.e., a nucleus protein) expressed in the nuclei of the cells infected with viruses, and thus shows weak immunity. Therefore, the signal peptide expressed from the secretory signal sequence induces secretion of E6 and E7 antigens whose 3D structure is transformed outside the cells, which leads to an increase in antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses.
A signal peptide used in higher eukaryotic cells may be used as the signal peptide. For example, a secretory signal sequence of tissue plasminogen activator (tPa), HSV gDs or a growth hormone may be used. More preferably, a tPa may be used. Most preferably, the signal peptide has an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.
Also, the immunity enhancer peptide refers to a peptide that serves to enhance an immune response by activating cells associated with the immune response (for example, dendritic cells, etc.).
A CD40 ligand, an fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (Flt3) ligand, flagellin, or OX40 may be used as the immunity enhancer peptide. More preferably, the Flt3 ligand may be used herein. The Flt3 ligand is a factor for inducing proliferation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which may enhance an immune response against an antigen and show an excellent effect to relieve a tumor when fused with a tumor antigen. Most preferably, the Flt3 ligand may have an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.
Also, the present invention is directed to providing a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The polynucleotide encodes the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, the fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7 may be encoded from a base sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, the signal peptide may be encoded from a base sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The immunity enhancer peptide may be encoded from a base sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Also, the polynucleotide according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be prepared using chemical synthesis or a genetic engineering technique. The chemical synthesis is known in the related art, and any method may be used herein. Also, the polynucleotide may be synthesized using commercially available nucleic acid synthesis and may be purchased from a nucleic acid supplier. When the polynucleotide is prepared using the genetic engineering technique, the polynucleotide may be prepared, for example, by separately constructing nucleic acid fragments encoding a fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7, a signal peptide and an immunity enhancer peptide as known in the prior art and binding these fragments according to a frame thereof. A method of preparing the nucleic acid fragment is widely known in the related art. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art may easily bind the nucleic acid fragments using a proper restriction enzyme. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, a method of preparing a polynucleotide using the chemical synthesis is disclosed. In addition, the present invention is directed to providing a recombinant vector including the polynucleotide according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the present invention, the term “vector” refers to a gene construct including an exogenous DNA fragment which is inserted into the genome to encode a polypeptide. A vector associated with the present invention is a vector in which a secretory signal sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7 whose HPV 3D structure is transformed, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the immunity enhancer peptide are inserted into the genome. Examples of the vector may include a plasmid vector, a cosmid vector, a bacteriophage vector, a yeast vector, or a viral vector such as an adenoviral vector, a retroviral vector or an adeno-associated viral vector.
The secretory signal sequence is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide that can secrete a tumor antigen expressed in the cells outside the cells to recognize immunocytes. For example, the secretory signal sequence may include a secretory signal sequence of tPa, HSV gDs, or a growth hormone. Preferably, a secretory signal sequence used in higher eukaryotic cells including a mammal, and, more preferably, the tPa may be used herein. Most preferably, the secretory signal sequence may have a base sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. Also, the secretory signal sequence according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be substituted with a codon having a high expression frequency, and used in a host cell.
Also, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the immunity enhancer peptide refers to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide that enhances an immune response by activating cells associated with the immune response (for example, dendritic cells, etc.). A CD40 ligand, an Flt3 ligand, flagellin, or OX40 may be used as the immunity enhancer peptide. More preferably, the Flt3 ligand may be used as the immunity enhancer peptide. Also, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the immunity enhancer peptide according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be substituted with a codon having a high expression frequency, and used in a host cell.
In addition, the polynucleotide included in the recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be substituted with a codon having a high expression frequency in the host cell. Among codons commanding amino acids when DNA is transcribed and translated into a protein in a host cell, there are codons having high preference, depending on the host. As used in the present invention, the term “being substituted with a codon having a high expression frequency in a host cell” or “codon-optimized” refers to a state in which a polynucleotide is substituted with theses codons having high preference to increase the expression efficiency of amino acids or a protein encoded by nucleic acids of the polynucleotide.
Here, the “host cell” includes a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. In this case, the eukaryotic cell includes a lower eukaryotic cell including those of fungi or yeast, as well as a higher eukaryotic cell including those of mammals.
The recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion protein in a suitable form to express the nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion protein of the present invention in a host cell. That is, the recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes one or more regulatory sequences selected based on a host cell that may be used for expression. Here, the regulatory sequences may be operably coupled to a nucleic acid sequence to be expressed.
The term “being operably coupled” refers to a state in which a desired nucleotide sequence (for example, in an in vitro transcription/translation system or a host cell) is coupled to the regulatory sequence in a suitable manner to express the desired nucleotide sequence.
The term “regulatory sequence” refers to a sequence including a promoter, an enhancer and another regulatory element (for example, a polyadenylation signal). The regulatory sequence includes a sequence commanding constitutive expression of a desired nucleic acid sequence in many host cells, and a sequence commanding expression of a desired nucleic acid sequence only in a certain host cell (for example, a tissue-specific regulatory sequence). A person having ordinary skill in the art may understand that the design of an expression vector may vary according to factors such as selection of a host cell to be transformed, and a level of expression of a desired protein. The expression vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be introduced into a host cell to express the fusion protein.
Also, the expression vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, prepared using the standard recombinant DNA technology. For example, the standard recombinant DNA technology includes ligation of blunt and cohesive termini, treatment with a restriction enzyme to provide a proper terminus, removal of a phosphate group through treatment with alkaline phosphatase to prevent inappropriate binding, and enzymatic binding using T4 DNA ligase. The expression vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be prepared by recombining DNA encoding a signal peptide obtained by chemical synthesis or genetic recombination technology, DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide of HPV E6 and E7, and DNA encoding an immunity enhancer peptide with a vector including a proper regulatory sequence. The vector including the regulatory sequence may be purchased or prepared in a commercially available fashion. In the present invention, a vector for preparing a DNA vaccine, that is, pGX27, was prepared for use.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the recombinant vector of the present invention may be used to prepare a cell line for producing the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, or may be used as a vector for transferring a gene in gene therapy, or a pharmaceutically active ingredient which itself is administered to an individual.
Also, the present invention is directed to providing a host cell transformed with the recombinant vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The kind of the host cell is as listed above.
The transformation may be performed using a known method of introducing a nucleic acid sequence into an organism, a cell, a tissue or an organ. In this case, a method that may be used may be selected so that it can be suitable for a host cell within the scope of the present invention to be understood at a level of a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, such a method includes electroporation, protoplast fusion, calcium phosphate (CaPO4) precipitation, calcium chloride (CaCl2) precipitation, agitation using a silicon carbide fiber, agrobacteria-mediated transformation, PEG, dextran sulfate, and lifofectamin, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Also, the present invention is directed to providing a method of expressing a fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention by incubating the transformed host cell according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be easily expressed and mass-produced by incubating the transformed host cell in a proper medium, or introducing the transformed host cell into any animal and incubating the transformed host cell in vivo.
In addition, the present invention is directed to providing a composition for preventing or treating an HPV-triggered disease in an individual in need thereof. Here, the composition includes at least one selected from the group consisting of the fusion protein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a host cell transformed with a recombinant vector expressing the fusion protein, and a homogenate of the fusion protein as an effective ingredient.
In the present invention, the term “individual” includes a mammal such as a human, a monkey, a rat, a pig, a bovine and a rabbit, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Also, the HPV-triggered disease may include cervical cancer, anogenital warts, verruca, etc.
In addition, the composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a pharmaceutically allowable carriers. Here, the pharmaceutically allowable carriers includes lactose, glucose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, gum acacia, alginate, gelatine, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oil. Also, the composition may further include a lubricant, a wetting agent, a flavoring agent, an emulsifying agent and a preservative.
For example, the composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be directly administered to an individual using a route of administration such as intravenous, intramuscular, oral, transdermal, intramucosal, intranasal, intratracheal or subcutaneous administration, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be administered indirectly to an individual by administering the composition into in vitro incubated cells and administering the incubated cells to the individual. In this case, the composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be administered systemically or locally.
The composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be formulated into an oral preparation such as a granule, a powder, a solution, a tablet, a capsule or a dry syrup, or a parenteral formulation such as an injectable solution, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be prepared in the form of a solution or an injectable solution.
As the active ingredient, the fusion protein or the recombinant expression vector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be administered at an effective amount of approximately 0.05 to 500 mg/kg, preferably 0.5 to 50 mg/kg. In this case, the administration may be performed in consideration of a single dose or divided doses. However, an amount of the active ingredient to be administered may be determined in consideration of various factors such as the conditions to be treated, the age and body weight of a patient, and the severity of the conditions, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed to providing a method of preventing or treating an HPV-triggered disease in an individual in need thereof. Here, the method includes administering an effective amount of the composition of the present invention to the individual.
A pharmaceutical composition according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, use thereof, a method of administering the same, and a dose of the pharmaceutical composition are as described above.
In the method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the individual includes a mammal such as a human, a monkey, a rat, a pig, a bovine and a rabbit, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Also, the HPV-triggered disease may include cervical cancer, anogenital warts, verruca, etc.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to Examples according to the present invention and Comparative Examples which do not fall within the scope of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the Examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Example 1
Construction of GX-188E DNA
Abbreviations used in the Examples of the present invention are defined as follows. An optimized nucleic acid sequence, “tPa” or “t” refers to a secretory signal sequence of a tissue plasminogen activator, and “F” or “Flt3L” refers to an fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand.
A codon-optimized tPa secretory signal sequence having a nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 and a codon-optimized Flt3L having a nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 were chemically synthesized while the codon-optimized tPa and Flt3L secretory signal sequences were coupled to each other. A terminus of the synthesized signal sequence was provided with KpnI (5′) and NheI (3′) restriction sites to facilitate insertion into a vector. A vector for preparing a DNA vaccine, that is, pGX10 (Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-0047667) was digested with KpnI and NheI restriction enzymes, and then ligated with the synthesized tPa-Flt3L signal sequence using ligase to prepare a pGX10/tF vector.
A codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 1st to 85th amino acids of the HPV16 E6, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 1st to 65th amino acids of the HPV16 E7, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 71st to 158th amino acids of the HPV16 E6, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 51st to 98th amino acids of the HPV16 E7, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 1st to 85th amino acids of the HPV18 E6, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 1st to 65th amino acids of the HPV18 E7, a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 71st to 158th amino acids of the HPV18 E6, and a codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence coding for 51st to 105th amino acids of the HPV18 E7 were chemically synthesized while the codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences were coupled to one another (hereinafter referred to as 16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C: SEQ ID NO: 4). A terminus of the synthesized signal sequence was provided with NheI (5′) and XbaI (3′) restriction sites to facilitate insertion into a vector. The pGX10/tF vector was digested with NheI and XbaI restriction enzymes, and then ligated with the synthesized signal sequence, 16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C, using ligase to construct a pGX10/tF16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C vector. Then, the pGX10/tF16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C vector was digested with KpnI and XbaI restriction enzymes to separate tF16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C, and pGX10 was digested with KpnI and XbaI restriction enzymes, and then ligated with tF16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C using ligase to construct a pGX27/tF16E6N16E7N16E6C16E7C18E6N18E7N18E6C18E7C vector (hereinafter referred to as “GX-188E”).
Example 2
Confirmation of Therapeutic Effect of GX-188E on Cervical Cancer
To confirm a therapeutic effect of GX-188E on cervical cancer, TC-1 tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into C57BL/6 rats at a concentration of 5×105 cells, and GX-188E was intramuscularly injected at doses of 50 μg and 100 μg on days 3 and 8, followed by performing electroporation. A change in volume of tumor cells was observed from the day of injection to day 27, and the spleens of the rats were extracted on Day 36. Then, 1×106 cells were put into a plate coated with 50 μl of a 5 μg/ml anti-mouse IFN-g antibody (BD Pharmigen, San Diego, Calif.) together with IL-2 and an HPV16 E6 CD8 T cell epitope (E648-57; EVYDFAFRDL, Peptron, Korea), an HPV18 E7 CD8 T cell epitope (E749-57; RAHYNIVTF, Peptron, Korea), an HPV18 E6 peptide pool, or an HPV18 E7 peptide pool, and incubated at 37° C. for 24 hours in a 5% CO2 incubator (Froma, Minn., USA). The plate was washed with PBST, and a 2 μg/ml IFN-g detection antibody conjugated with biotin (BD Pharmigen, San Diego, Calif.) was put into the plate at a dose of 50 μl, and incubated at room temperature for approximately 3 hours. Subsequently, the plate was washed with PBST, and streptavidin-alkaline phosphate (AKP) diluted at 1:2000 was put into the plate at a dose of 50 μl, and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the plate was washed with PBST, and 66 μl of NBT (Promega, Madison, Wis.) and 33 μl of BCIP (Promega, Madison, Wis.) were added based on 10 ml of an alkaline phosphate buffer. Thereafter, 50 μl of the resulting solution was added and reacted. The plate was put into a 37° C. incubator and kept for approximately 30 minutes to facilitate a color reaction. Then, the plate was washed with distilled water (D.W.), and colored spots were counted using a reader.
The T cell immune responses specific to HPV16 E6 and E7, and HPV18 E6 and E7 were measured in the HPV16 E6 CD8 T cell epitope, the HPV16 E7 CD8 T cell epitope, the HPV18 E6 peptide pool and the HPV 18 E7 peptide pool using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay. As a result, it was confirmed that the GX-188E induced a strong antigen-specific immune response, and simultaneously induced an immune response specific to the E6 and E7 of the HPV16 and HPV18 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4).
Also, it was confirmed that a volume of tumor was significantly reduced in the rats whose TC-1 tumor cells were immunologically treated with the GX-188E, compared with the rats injected with the pGX27 (control) (see FIG. 5).
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The fusion protein according to the present invention can be used as a therapeutic agent for treating HPV-triggered tumors.
The fusion protein according to the present invention, which is prepared to include a fusion polypeptide recombined to transform a 3D structure of E6 and E7 proteins derived from the HPV types 16 and 18, a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide outside the cells, and an immunity enhancer peptide present in an individual, can treat the HPV-triggered tumors by inducing a strong immune response specific to the antigens against the HPV types 16 and 18.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A polynucleotide comprising from the 5′ end to the 3′ end a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 85 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 16, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 65 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 16, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 71 to 158 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 16, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 51 to 98 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 16, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 85 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 18, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 65 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 18, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 71 to 158 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 18, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 51 to 105 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 18.

2. The polynucleotide of claim 1, further comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunity enhancer peptide.

3. The polynucleotide of claim 2, wherein the immunity enhancer peptide is selected from a CD40 ligand, an fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (Flt3) ligand, a flagellin, and an OX40.

4. The polynucleotide of claim 2, further comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal peptide.

5. The polynucleotide of claim 4, wherein the signal peptide is selected from a tissue plasminogen activator (“tPa”) signal peptide, a Herpes Simplex Virus glycoprotein Ds (“HSV gDs”) signal peptide, and a growth hormone signal peptide.

6. The polynucleotide of claim 1, which is codon optimized.

7. The polynucleotide of claim 2, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the immunity enhancer peptide is codon optimized.

8. The polynucleotide of claim 4, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the signal peptide is codon optimized.

9. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 6.

10. The vector of claim 9, which is a plasmid.

11. An isolated host cell comprising the vector of claim 9.

12. A composition comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically allowable carrier.

13. A fusion protein encoded by the polynucleotide of claim 1.

14. A fusion protein comprising from the N-terminus to the C-terminus an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 85 of an E6 protein of Human papilloma virus (HPV) serotype 16, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 65 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 16, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 71 to 158 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 16, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 51 to 98 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 16, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 85 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 18, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 1 to 65 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 18, an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 71 to 158 of an E6 protein of HPV serotype 18, and an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 51 to 105 of an E7 protein of HPV serotype 18.

15. The fusion protein of claim 13, further comprising an immunity enhancer peptide.

16. The fusion protein of claim 13, further comprising a signal peptide.

17. A method of inducing a T cell immune response to an individual in need thereof comprising administering the polynucleotide of claim 1 to the individual, wherein the T cell immune response is against an E6 protein of HPV serotype 16, an E7 protein of HPV serotype 16, an E6 protein of HPV serotype 18, or an E7 protein of HPV serotype 18.

18. A method of treating a tumor triggered by HPV in an individual in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1 to the individual.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the tumor is cervical cancer and wherein the tumor volume is reduced after the administration.