Cellular immunity to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clades: relevance to HIV-1 vaccine trials in Uganda

J Infect Dis. 2000 Nov;182(5):1350-6. doi: 10.1086/315868. Epub 2000 Oct 9.

Abstract

The first prophylactic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine trial in Africa, with a clade B immunogen, is currently under way in Uganda, in a region where clades A and D are endemic. The use of a B clade vaccine is based on anticipated cross-recognition of endemic strains of HIV-1 in Uganda, but, in fact, little is known about the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in that region. Seventeen HIV-1-infected volunteers from Kampala, Uganda, were studied to determine the immune responses elicited by natural infection with local HIV-1 strains. Despite the presence of broad cross-clade recognition, the CTL responses to the infecting viral clade were highest in most people. Recognition of nonendemic clade B antigens was similar to that of the coendemic local clade, and, in some instances, cross-recognition of clade B was greater. Nevertheless, the degree of cross-clade cellular responses we observed lends justification to the use of clade B-based immunogens in the current phase 1 vaccine trial in Uganda.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Epitope Mapping
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines