Human papillomavirus major capsid protein L1 (Types 16, 18, 58) (HPV 16/18/58 L1)

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 protein is the major structural component of the viral capsid and serves as the primary target for prophylactic vaccines [1, 2]. This protein has the unique ability to self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) that present highly organized conformational epitopes, which are essential for inducing a protective immune response [4]. HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk genotypes responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers worldwide, while HPV 58 is a high-risk type with significant prevalence in East Asia [3, 6]. Vaccines such as Gardasil 9 and Cervarix utilize recombinant L1 VLPs to elicit high titers of neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to these conformational epitopes [5]. This binding prevents the virus from attaching to the basement membrane and entering the basal epithelial cells, thereby blocking the initiation of infection [4]. Consequently, targeting these L1 epitopes provides effective protection against HPV-related malignancies, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers [5].

Other names

HPV16 L1HPV18 L1HPV58 L1L1 capsid proteinVirus-like particleVLPHuman papillomavirus types 16, 18, and 58 L1 capsid protein conformational epitopes

Induction of neutralizing antibodies that bind to conformational epitopes on the L1 protein, preventing viral attachment to the basement membrane and subsequent entry into host basal epithelial cells [4, 5].