Background: To construct human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18 E6E7) adeno-associated virus (AAV) for studying the role of HPV E6E7 in the development of human cancer.
Methods: HPV18 E6E7 genes were inserted into adeno-associated virus expression vector and then infected 293 cell line. The expression of HPV18 E6E7 genes were confirmed by using RT-PCR/Southern blot assay.
Results: There was HPV18 E6E7 genes in the malignantly transformed cell line. The 293TL cells compared with the parent cells transformed cells grew more rapidly, lost their contact inhibition and formed more and large colonies in soft agar.
Conclusions: HPV18 E6E7 AAV was successfully constructed and could induce malignant transformation. HPV18 E6E7 AAV can be use for studying the immortalization and malignant transformation of human normal epithelial cells.