Papillomavirus infection in HeLa cells

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted disease [1]. Most sexually active individuals will become infected at some point in their lives. Of those infections, about 90% are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously [1]. Additionally, some types of HPV are known to increase the risk of cervix, anus, vulva, vagina, penis and oropharynx cancer [1]. In 2018 alone, 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed [1] and 311,000 women died [1].

The World Health Organization advocates for the prevention, early diagnosis and effective screening of cervical cancer and supports treatment programs that help reduce both the mortality and incidence of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV has helped drastically decrease the prevalence of HPV in the UK [2].

In this footage, obtained using Nanolive’s 3D Cell Explorer-fluo, cervical cancer cells (HeLa cell line) were infected with HPV labelled with Cy5 and the internalization process was followed over time. One image was obtained every 5 mins for 5 h 20 min.

Special thanks to Prof. Wilbe Martin Kast, from the Kast Lab in Los Angeles (California, USA) for preparing the samples.

[1] World Health Organization

[2] “HPV Vaccine (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine) | Vaccine Knowledge.” [Online] Available: https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/hpv-vaccine

Read our latest news

2023 scientific publications roundup

2023 scientific publications roundup

2023 has been a record year for clients using the Nanolive system in their scientific publications. The number of peer-reviewed publications has continued to increase, and there has been a real growth in groups publishing pre-prints to give a preview of their work....

Nanolive microscopes

Get a quote >

3D CELL EXPLORER

Budget-friendly, easy-to-use, compact solution for high quality non-invasive 4D live cell imaging             

Learn more >

3D CELL EXPLORER-fluo

Multimodal Complete Solution: combine high quality non-invasive 4D live cell imaging with fluorescence

Learn more >

CX-A

Automated live cell imaging: a unique walk-away solution for long-term live cell imaging of single cells and cell populations

Learn more >