Abstract LB-333: PARP-1 supports HPV infection and HPV-associated head and neck cancer
Authors: Cassie Pan, Asel Biktasova, Michael Hajek, Andrew Sewell, Tejas Sathe, Gary Bellinger, Wendell Yarbrough, Natalia Issaeva
Journal: Cancer Research (2018)

Abstract Background: As the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) continues to rise, mechanistic knowledge of HPV16-driven HNSCC remains incomplete. HPV(+) and HPV(-) HNSCCs are molecularly distinct, with altered signaling pathways that have been characterized by proteomic technologies. We recently reported that poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is overexpressed in HPV(+) compared to HPV(-) HNSCC. PARP-1 is a multi-functional protein with the ability to produce polymers of ADP-ribose attached to proteins and with major known roles in maintaining genomic integrity, DNA damage repair, transcription, DNA replication, and cell cycle regulation. However, PARP-1 functions in HPV infection and in head and neck cancer have not been fully uncovered. Here, we examine the role of PARP-1 in HPV infection, the interactions of HPV with cellular proteins, and the therapeutic implications of PARP-1 inhibition in HPV(+) HNSCC. Methods: PARP activity was assessed by immunoblotting for levels of poly(ADP-ribose) and by enzymatic PARP-1 ELISA. Expression of HPV genes was measured by RT-PCR. Murine kidney epithelial cells were established from PARP-1 wild-type and knockout mice, and the absence of PARP-1 expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Infection with HPV pseudovirus (PsV) containing a GFP expression plasmid was detected by L1 immunofluorescence staining and GFP detection. Survival studies were done in vitro and in vivo with PARP inhibitors veliparib and olaparib. Results: In addition to being overexpressed, we found that PARP-1 was highly enzymatically active in HPV(+) HNSCC as compared to HPV(-) tumors. HPV16 PsV and major capsid protein L1 activated PARP-1 in vitro and in cells. Depletion of PARP-1 and chemical PARP inhibition repressed HPV16 cellular entry, and infection of cells with HPV PsV increased sensitivity of HPV(-) cells to PARP inhibition. Conclusions: We identified a functional role of PARP-1 in initial HPV infection and in HPV-associated cancer. PARP-1 is activated by HPV major capsid protein L1, and HPV(+) HNSCCs maintain PARP-1 enzymatic activity. On top of its role in initial HPV infection, PARP-1 also appears to be important for survival of HPV-infected cells, as inhibition of PARP-1 sensitized cells to HPV PsV infection. These findings suggest that PARP inhibition may hold significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of HPV-associated HNSCC, with our work resulting in the initiation of a window clinical trial ongoing at the Yale Cancer Center. Citation Format: Cassie Pan, Asel Biktasova, Michael Hajek, Andrew Sewell, Tejas Sathe, Gary Bellinger, Wendell Yarbrough, Natalia Issaeva. PARP-1 supports HPV infection and HPV-associated head and neck cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-333.