Expression of MMP-9 within EVs of HPV-related Cancer Cells

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is an infection affecting millions of people globally. According to the CDC, more than 42 million Americans are infected with types of HPV that are known to cause disease. Over 200 strains of HPV are known to affect humans, but HPV-16 and HPV-18 are considered the most common high-risk infections that often lead to cancer, specifically cervical cancer. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are have the potential to diagnose and track the progression of many diseases and cancers, including HPV-induced cervical cancer. Proteins transported by EVs were shown in prior studies to influence the growth and invasion of the virus within cells, and by extension, increase the likelihood of cancerous lesions in the future. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a set of proteins involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are dysregulated during the development of cervical cancer. Increased expression of MMPs allows for further disruption of the ECM and migration of cancer into epithelial tissue. Prior studies have demonstrated that MMP-9 is a major player in the proliferation of cervical cancer, and its expression can indicate the prognosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions. This study aimed to compare MMP-9 levels within the EVs of HeLa (HPV-16 infected), U937, and CEM cells. ExoMax was used to isolate EVs and the protein expression of CD63, CD81, GAPDH, and MMP-9 were analyzed using Western blot. Preliminary results show U937 and CEM expressed all four proteins. However, they were not detected in HeLa due to improper EV isolation.