An HIV-1 and HIV-2 cross-reactive cytotoxic T-cell epitope.
The HLA-B27-restricted HIV gag cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope, 265-279, is highly conserved amongst HIV-1 isolates, only one, HIV-1ELI, having a single amino acid substitution. Over the same region HIV-2 differs by five amino acids. As a broadly cross-protective AIDS vaccine should protect against infection from all isolates of HIV-1 and HIV-2, we tested CTL specific for the HIV-1 265-279 epitope with peptide analogues from HIV-1ELI, HIV-2 and two simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates, and with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the respective gag genes, to determine whether there was any cross-reactivity for this CTL epitope. CTL from the HIV-1-infected donor could recognize the HIV-1ELI peptide, the HIV-2 peptide and recombinant vaccinia virus-infected target and one of the two SIV peptide-treated targets. Epitopes that exhibit such cross-reactivity may be valuable in vaccine design.
Molecular Immunology Group, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
D F
DF
Nixon
S
S
Huet
J
J
Rothbard
M P
MP
Kieny
M
M
Delchambre
C
C
Thiriart
C R
CR
Rizza
F M
FM
Gotch
A J
AJ
McMichael
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology*; D015750:Genes, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics
D000939:Epitopes; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens