HLA-associated viral mutations are common in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 elite controllers.
Elite controllers (EC) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) maintain viremia below the limit of detection without antiretroviral treatment. Virus-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T lymphocytes are believed to play a crucial role in viral containment, but the degree of immune imprinting and compensatory mutations in EC is unclear. We obtained plasma gag, pol, and nef sequences from HLA-diverse subjects and found that 30 to 40% of the predefined HLA-associated polymorphic sites show evidence of immune selection pressure in EC, compared to approximately 50% of the sites in chronic progressors. These data indicate ongoing viral replication and escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes are present even in strictly controlled HIV-1 infection.
Miura
Toshiyuki
T
Ragon Institute (formerly Partners AIDS Research Center), Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. miura523@hotmail.com
Brumme
Chanson J
CJ
Brockman
Mark A
MA
Brumme
Zabrina L
ZL
Pereyra
Florencia
F
Block
Brian L
BL
Trocha
Alicja
A
John
Mina
M
Mallal
Simon
S
Harrigan
P Richard
PR
Walker
Bruce D
BD
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D020276:HIV Long-Term Survivors; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D020125:Mutation, Missense / Q000276:immunology*; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514837:nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus