Cross-Clade CD8 T-Cell Responses to HIVIIIB and Chinese B' and C/B' Viruses in North American and Chinese HIV-Seropositive Donors.
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 37(4):1435-1444, December 1, 2004.
Francois-Bongarcon, Vanessa BS *; Feng, Yi MS ++; Lee, Sang-Kyung PHD *+; Chen, Gang MD *+++; Shankar, Premlata MD *+; Liu, Ying PHD ++; Tao, Xin MS ++; Shao, Yiming PHD ++; Lieberman, Judy PHD, MD *+

Abstract:
Summary: HIV variation presents an obstacle to a global AIDS vaccine. Viral diversity and host variations in MHC expression both affect vaccine responses. Whether CD8 T cells from HIV-infected donors in 1 part of the world cross-recognize isolates from other regions will provide guidance about whether country-specific vaccines are needed. We compared recognition of HIVIIIB and representative B' (Thai B) and recombinant C/B' virus strains endemic in China by CD8 T cells from 7 HIV-infected North American donors and 4 Chinese donors. IFN-[gamma] production in response to HIVIIIB or the Chinese viruses was comparable. Although 1.6 +/- 0.8% of American donor CD8 T cells produced IFN-[gamma] above the background level in response to IIIB virus, 1.5 +/- 0.8% responded to B' virus, and 1.4 +/- 0.7% responded to C/B' virus. Responses to adherent cells infected with vaccinia viruses expressing B' and C/B' virus gag and env were also comparable in magnitude with responses to IIIB virus. Cytolysis of CD4 T cells infected with B' virus was comparable with lysis of cells infected with IIIB virus, but lysis of the more divergent C/B' virus was somewhat reduced. T cells, selected for IFN-[gamma] production to IIIB virus, also efficiently lysed cells infected with Chinese viruses. Therefore, cross-clade CD8 T-cell responses to IIIB virus and prevalent Chinese viral strains are common.

(C) 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.