Potential mechanisms of HPV E6/E7 gene regulation of host extracellular matrix composition and function

The human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 proteins are thought to be critical in its pathogenesis, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a class of complex spatial network structures whose function involves a variety of biological processes. Differentially expressed genes were detected by transcriptome sequencing in HPV type 11 E6/E7-transfected HaCaT cells, and their expression and changes in ECM components were verified at the cellular and condyloma acuminatum tissue levels by qPCR. A total of 16 common differential genes were identified, which were mainly involved in regulating the structure and function of ECM. The transfected cells showed decreased adhesion, increased migration, and proliferation. qPCR showed that 11 genes were down-regulated. Tissue level showed that the expression of seven genes and components of the ECM was reduced in wart tissues of patients with warts infected with various HPV types. These differential genes may be critical for the regulation of ECM components by HPV viruses.