Human endogenous retrovirus K(HML-2) Gag- and Env-specific T-cell responses are infrequently detected in HIV-1-infected subjects using standard peptide matrix-based screening.
T-cell responses to human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) K(HML-2) Gag and Env were mapped in HIV-1-infected subjects using 15 mer peptides. Small peptide pools and high concentrations were used to maximize sensitivity. In the 23 subjects studied, only three bona fide HERV-K(HML-2)-specific responses were detected. At these high peptide concentrations, we detected false-positive responses, three of which were mapped to an HIV-1 Gag peptide contaminant. Thus, HERV-K(HML-2) Gag- and Env-specific T-cell responses are infrequently detected by 15 mer peptide mapping.
Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. brad.jones@utoronto.ca
R Brad
RB
Jones
Vivek M
VM
John
Diana V
DV
Hunter
Eric
E
Martin
Shariq
S
Mujib
Vesna
V
Mihajlovic
Peter C
PC
Burgers
Theo M
TM
Luider
Gabor
G
Gyenes
Neil C
NC
Sheppard
Devi
D
Sengupta
Ravi
R
Tandon
Feng-Yun
FY
Yue
Erika
E
Benko
Colin
C
Kovacs
Douglas F
DF
Nixon
Mario A
MA
Ostrowski
D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000276:immunology*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010449:Peptide Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D012367:RNA, Viral