Ministry of Health 2002-2005 Funded Research: Immunotherapeutic strategies against oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV genotypes”
Project objectives
The main objective of the project is to study polymorphisms of the first group (identified in the collagen-like domain of the protein, and in particular in codons 52, 54 and 57 of the first exon), which cause structural abnormalities of the MBP protein, which in turn prevent the correct formation of oligomers within the domain involved. Likewise, in the second group (in the gene promoter region, at position - 550 and -221), which cause the reduction of plasma MBP protein levels, in relation to a possible susceptibility to HPV infection and/or to an abnormal response to therapy are also studied.
More specifically, these polymorphisms are investigated to see whether they could promote a severe course of infection with easier progression to severe dysplasia and tumor formation. The results are critically evaluated to determine a possible therapeutic role (immune modulating) of MBP in standard therapeutic protocols or DNA vaccination protocols.
Start/End Date
December 1, 2002 - June 1, 2005
Principal Investigator
Prof. Vito Michele Fazio
Host Institution
Istituto San Gallicano SC., Department of Infectious Dermatology
Other Institutions involved
- Università degli Studi di Brescia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratory of Virology
- Istituto Regina Elena S.C. Obstetrics and Gynecology
- ENEA C.R. Casaccia, Plant genetics and Genomics Section, UTS Biotechnology, Protection of Health and Ecosystems - Italy
- CNR, Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche - Italy
- Istituto S. Gallicano, Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Microbiology - Italy
- Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Italy
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Section of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Italy
- Sapienza Università di Roma, Service of Seminology and Immunology of Human Reproduction - Italy
Source of funding
Italian Ministry of Health