Synthesis, properties and applications of papillomavirus-like particles.

Papillomavirus-like particles can be obtained by expression of the major capsid protein L1 alone or by coexpression with the minor capsid protein L2 in various systems. Virus-like particles (VPLs) and virions have very similar capsid structures. Immunization with VLPs yields antibodies neutralizing virions in vitro. Vaccination of animals with VLPs has been shown to protect against viral challenge. VLPs of human papillomavirus (HPV) are therefore the most promising vaccine candidate to prevent infections with HPVs associated with cervical cancer, the most frequent carcinoma in women worldwide.