Robust Gag-specific T cell responses characterize viremia control in HIV-2 infection

• DOI: 10.1172/jci32380
• Publication Date: 2007-09-07T01:19:13Z
• Authors: Aleksandra Leligd...; Louis-Marie Yindom; Clayton Onyango; Ramu Sarge-Njie; Abraham Alabi; Matthew Cotten; Tim Vincent; Carlos da Costa; Peter Aaby; Assan Jaye; Tao Dong; Andrew McMichael; Hilton Whittle; Sarah Rowland-Jones
• Keywords: Viremia

HIV-2 infection in the majority of infected subjects follows an attenuated disease course that distinguishes it from with HIV-1. Antigen-specific T cells are pivotal management chronic viral infections but not sufficient to control replication HIV-1-positive subjects, and their function is fully established. In a community-based cohort long-term nonprogressors rural Guinea-Bissau, we performed what believe first comprehensive analysis HIV-2-specific immune responses. We demonstrate Gag most immunogenic protein. The magnitude IFN-gamma response proteome was inversely correlated viremia, this relationship specifically due targeting Gag. Furthermore, patients undetectable viremia had greater Gag-specific responses compared high replication. frequently recognized peptides clustered within defined region Gag, single peptide were associated low burden. consistent between suggests cell vital determining superior outcome infection. A better understanding how controlled may identify correlates effective protective immunity essential for design HIV vaccines.