IPVS webinar: HPV pathobiology – lessons learned from mice

IPVS webinar: HPV pathobiology – lessons learned from mice

Wednesday, 23rd February 2022
10:00 EST (New York) / 16:00 CET (Geneva)

Moderator:
Neil Christensen
Professor
Penn State University, College of Medicine

Speakers:
Megan Spurgeon Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Richard Roden
Professor
Johns Hopkins University

Topic:

During this webinar, Dr Megan Spurgeon will present how using the MmuPV1 cervicovaginal infection model used by her group investigated the role of cervical cell structure and ovarian steroids specifically estrogen in HPV infection and neoplastic disease. Their results suggest that estrogen and the cytoskeletal protein keratin17, promote viral persistence and disease progression, at least in part by altering the immune response. Keratin 17 is expressed in different cell populations in the cervical transformation zone, which may have different susceptibilities to HPV infection. Dr Spurgeon will discuss how MmuPV1-based infection models are distinct from HPV transgenic models and how they can be exploited to give insights into the spectrum of factors that can promote or inhibit persistent infection and disease progression.

In addition, Dr Richard Roden will present the findings from his group’s studies using another MmuPV1 mouse model that reveal how female black C57BL/6J mice are susceptible to a transient papillomavirus cervicovaginal infection, and mice deficient in select genes involved in innate immune responses are susceptible to persistent infection with variable manifestations of histopathological abnormalities. The results of the studies obtained support a working model of innate immunity to papillomaviruses, and the model provides a framework for more in-depth studies. A better understanding of mechanisms of early viral clearance and the development of approaches to induce clearance will be important for cancer prevention and the treatment of HPV-related diseases.

This webinar is LIVE and FREE of charge.
After the webinar, you can access a post-webinar forum to ask any additional questions to the speakers.
Attendees can claim their certificate of participation after the webinar.