Identification of a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope recognized by Gag-specific CTLs in cynomolgus monkeys infected with simian/human immunodeficiency virus

J Gen Virol. 2006 Nov;87(Pt 11):3385-3392. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.81934-0.

Abstract

Infection of Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey) with chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) provides a valuable experimental animal model of AIDS and is widely used for the development of human immunodeficiency virus vaccine strategies. In these settings, analysis of CD8(+) T-cell responses during infection represents one of the key parameters for monitoring the evaluation of containment of virus replication. The generation of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells was reported previously from a cynomolgus monkey infected with SHIV89.6P by taking advantage of a B-lymphoblastoid cell line transduced with a retroviral vector expressing simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag. Here, it was shown that these cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) demonstrated specificity for a single 9 aa peptide (NCVGDHQAA) spanning aa 192-200 of the SIVmac239 p55(gag) protein. Furthermore, a positive response was found against the same epitope in one of six other SHIV-infected monkeys. This newly identified SIV Gag CTL epitope in SHIV-infected cynomolgus monkeys will be a useful tool for monitoring and evaluating Gag-specific immune responses during vaccination and infection in the cynomolgus monkey model of AIDS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Gene Products, gag / immunology
  • HIV* / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Reassortant Viruses / immunology*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / blood
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus* / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus* / immunology
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Gene Products, gag
  • Peptides
  • simian immunodeficiency virus gag p55
  • Interferon-gamma