Broad human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific T cell responses to conserved HIV proteins in HIV-seronegative women highly exposed to a single HIV-infected partner.
Eighteen highly exposed but persistently seronegative (HEPS) women (HW) and their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-seropositive male partners were studied for HIV-specific T cells and other host factors. Circulating HIV-specific T cells were measured by interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assays, using recombinant vaccinia virus vectors expressing HIV proteins. Nine (50%) of the HW and all HIV-seropositive persons had HIV-specific T cell responses. Only 2 (22%) of the HEPS responders recognized Env, compared with 94% of HIV-seropositive persons. A high percentage (75%) of the HW with HIV-specific T cell responses reported recent HIV exposure. Remarkably, however, long-lived HIV-specific T cells were detected in 2 HW who had an extended period (>3.9 years) of no HIV exposure. These findings have important implications for HIV vaccine design.
Promadej
Nattawan
N
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Costello
Caroline
C
Wernett
Mary M
MM
Kulkarni
Prasad S
PS
Robison
Valerie A
VA
Nelson
Kenrad E
KE
Hodge
Thomas W
TW
Suriyanon
Vinai
V
Duerr
Ann
A
McNicholl
Janet M
JM
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D037182:T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015488:HIV Antigens