title: Simian immunodeficiency virus-specific CD8+ lymphocyte response in acutely infected rhesus monkeys.
abstract: To assess the possible role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in containing the spread of human immunodeficiency virus in acutely infected individuals, the temporal evolution of the virus-specific CD8+ lymphocyte response was defined in simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac)-infected rhesus monkeys. A brief period of SIVmac plasma antigenemia was seen 9 to 16 days following intravenous infection with SIVmac, ending as the absolute number of CD8+ peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) increased. In a prospective assessment of the ability of CD8+ lymphocytes of these monkeys to suppress SIVmac replication in autologous PBLs, inhibitory activity was detected as early as 4 days, with a more pronounced effect 12 to 16 days following infection. SIVmac Gag- and Nef-specific CD8+ effector cell activities were demonstrable in PBLs of animals by 2 weeks following virus inoculation. In fact, SIVmac-specific CTL precursors were documented in the PBLs of rhesus monkeys 4 to 6 days after SIVmac infection. These studies indicate that AIDS virus-specific CD8+ CTLs are present in PBLs within days of infection and may play an important role in containing the early spread of virus.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772-9102.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasutomi
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Letvin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000276:immunology*; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015683:Gene Products, gag