HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses among HIV-1-resistant sex workers.
The goal of the present study was to determine whether there were HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses among a subgroup of women within a cohort of Nairobi prostitutes (n = 1800) who, despite their intense sexual exposure to HIV-1, are epidemiologically resistant to HIV-1 infection. Of the 80 women defined to be resistant, 24 were recruited for immunological evaluation. The HIV-1-specific T-helper responses were determined by IL-2 production following stimulation with HIV-1 envelope peptides and soluble gp120. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses were determined by lysis of autologous EBV-transformed B cell lines infected with control vaccinia virus or recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the HIV-1 structural genes env, gag and pol. Resistant women had significantly increased HIV-1 specific T-helper responses, as determined by in vitro IL-2 production to HIV-1 envelope peptides and soluble glycoprotein 120, compared with low-risk seronegative and HIV-1-infected controls (P < or = 0.01, Student's t-test). Seven of the 17 (41%) resistant women showed IL-2 stimulation indices > or = 2.0. HIV-1-specific CTL responses were detected among 15/22 (68.2%) resistant women compared with 0/12 low-risk controls (Chi-squared test, P < 0.001). In the two resistant individuals tested, the CTL activity was mediated by CD8+ effectors. Many HIV-1-resistant women show evidence of HIV-1-specific T-helper and cytotoxic responses. These data support the suggestion that HIV-1-specific T-cell responses contribute to protection against HIV-1 infection.
Fowke
K R
KR
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. fowkekr@cc.umanitoba.ca
Kaul
R
R
Rosenthal
K L
KL
Oyugi
J
J
Kimani
J
J
Rutherford
W J
WJ
Nagelkerke
N J
NJ
Ball
T B
TB
Bwayo
J J
JJ
Simonsen
J N
JN
Shearer
G M
GM
Plummer
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D011477:Sex Work; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015488:HIV Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2