Preferential CTL targeting of Gag is associated with relative viral control in long-term surviving HIV-1 infected former plasma donors from China

摘要: It is generally believed that CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a critical role in limiting the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and determining outcome infection, this effect may partly depend on which HIV product preferentially targeted. To address correlation between HIV-1-specific CTL responses cohort former plasma donors (FPDs), 143 antiretroviral therapy naive FPDs infected with HIV-1 clade B' strains were assessed for an IFN-γ Elispot assay at single peptide level by using overlapping peptides (OLPs) covering whole consensus B proteome. By Spearman's rank analysis, we found proportion Gag-specific among total virus-specific activity was inversely correlated viral loads while being positively to CD4 counts, as opposed Pol- Env-specific associated increased decreased counts. In addition, Vpr-specifc showed similar protective Gag responses, but much lower frequency recognition. Significantly, also observed association HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype probably due restricted responses. Thus, our data demonstrate prominent disease control. The advantage control be contribution studied individuals.