Abstract: Objective To investigate the in vitro effect of transfection with recombinant adenovirus encoding HPV-11 E7 gene on the phenotype and function of dendritic cells(DC).Methods Optimal multiplicity of infection(MOI)was determined.Mature DC were transfected with the recombinant aden-ovirus encoding HPV-11 E7 gene(namely pAD-E7)at the optimal MOI.The expression of E7 protein in mature DC and of surface markers(CD1a,CD83,CD40,CD80 and HLA-DR)on these cells were assessed by flow cytometry before and after the transfection.Meanwhile,the function of stimulating the proliferation of allogeneic T cells by DC was detected by 3H-thymidine incorporation method.ELISA was used to detect the level of cytokines IL-10,IL-12,IFN-γin the co-culture supematant of DC and T cells.Results The optimal MOI was determined to be 100.After transfection with the optimal MOI of recombinant adenovirus pAD-E7,88% mature DC expressed E7 protein,and more than 93% of these cells were viable.No significant changes in surface markers were examined on transfected DC from those without transfection.Trans-fected DC still had strong potential to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells.The levels of cytokines IL-12,IFN-γin co-culture supernatant were increased significantly after the transfection,but no significant change was observed for the level of IL-10.Conclusions The function of mature DC is not affected signifi-cantly by the transfection with pAD-E7,and transfected DC could induce the polarization of T cells to Th1 cells.

Key words: Papillomavirus,human, Genetic vector, Dendritic cells, Condylomata acuminata