HIV type 1-specific inter- and intrasubtype cellular immune responses in HIV type 1-infected Ugandans

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2004 Jul;20(7):763-71. doi: 10.1089/0889222041524643.

Abstract

Investigations concerning the extent and nature of subtype-specific and intersubtype immune responses in HIV-1-infected persons are necessary for the development of appropriate candidate vaccines. In the cross-sectional study described here, 26 HIV-1-positive Ugandan patients were tested for their ability to mount HIV antigen-specific cellular immune responses. Subjects were infected with either HIV-1 subtypes A, C, or D. Recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV)-based and peptide-based enzyme-linked immunospot (Elispot) assays were used to evaluate HIV-1-specific gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) cellular responses. rVV expressing gag, pol, or env proteins derived from HIV-1 subtypes A, B, and D were evaluated for their ability to induce whole HIV-1-protein-specific IFN-gamma responses in 14 patients. A panel of previously identified HLA class I-restricted peptides based on representative sequences from HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, and D and restricted through HLA-A2, -A29, -B42, -B53, and -B57 alleles were used to evaluate the presence of HIV-1-peptide-specific T cells in 19 patients. Using rVV, 27 of a possible 38 subtype-specific responses (71%) and 56 of a possible 110 intersubtype responses (51%) were observed. When appropriate peptides were used 18 of 39 (46.2%) subtype-specific and 13 of 39 (33.3%) intersubtype responses were observed. Peptide responses were higher quantitatively than those seen when rVV were used. In 7 patients, both rVV and specific peptides were evaluated; in 3 of 7 individuals, global responses were seen despite a lack of measurable HLA-restricted peptide-specific responses demonstrating the need to evaluate a broader range of HIV-specific immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Genes, Viral
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Seropositivity / immunology
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Uganda
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Structural Proteins