Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees have been important in studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis and in evaluation of HIV-1 candidate vaccines. However, little information is available about HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in these animals. In the present study, in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from infected chimpanzees with HIV-1 Gag peptides was shown to be a sensitive, reproducible method of expanding HIV-1-specific CD8(+) effector CTL. Of interest, PBMC from two chimpanzees had CTL activity against Gag epitopes also recognized by major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted CTL from HIV-1-infected humans. The use of peptide stimulation will help to clarify the role of CTL in vaccine-mediated protection and HIV-1 disease progression in this important animal model.
Santra
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S
Division of Viral Pathogenesis, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Fultz
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PN
Letvin
N L
NL
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D015683:Gene Products, gag