Characterization of CD8 T-cell responses in HIV-1-exposed seronegative commercial sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya.
CD8+ T-lymphocyte responses are crucial to the control of HIV-1; therefore, studying the CD8+ immune response in a naturally resistant population could provide valuable insights into an effective anti-HIV response in healthy uninfected individuals. Approximately 5-10% of the women in the Pumwani Commercial Sex Worker cohort in Nairobi, Kenya, have been highly exposed to HIV-1 yet remain HIV-IgG-seronegative and HIV-PCR negative (HIV(ES)). As IFN-gamma production correlates to cytotoxic function, the CD8+ T-lymphocyte IFN-gamma response to HIV p24 peptides was compared in HIV(ES) and HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals. Almost 40% of the HIV(ES) had a CD8+ IFN-gamma+ response that was five times lower in magnitude than that of the HIV+ group. The breadth of the response in HIV(ES) was very narrow and focused primarily on one peptide that is similar to the protective KK10 peptide. In the HIV+ group, low peripheral CD4+ counts negatively influenced the number of CD8+ cells producing IFN-gamma, which may undermine the ability to control HIV. Overall, many of the HIV(ES) women possess a HIV-1 p24-specific CD8+ IFN-gamma response, providing evidence to the specificity needed for an effective HIV vaccine.
Alimonti
Judie B
JB
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Kimani
Joshua
J
Matu
Lucy
L
Wachihi
Charles
C
Kaul
Rupert
R
Plummer
Francis A
FA
Fowke
Keith R
KR
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D007630:Kenya; D011477:Sex Work
D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D007371:Interferon-gamma