AIDS virus specific CD8+ T lymphocytes against an immunodominant cryptic epitope select for viral escape

J Exp Med. 2007 Oct 29;204(11):2505-12. doi: 10.1084/jem.20071261. Epub 2007 Oct 22.

Abstract

Cryptic major histocompatibility complex class I epitopes have been detected in several pathogens, but their importance in the immune response to AIDS viruses remains unknown. Here, we show that Mamu-B*17(+) simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)mac239-infected rhesus macaques that spontaneously controlled viral replication consistently made strong CD8(+) T lymphocyte (CD8-TL) responses against a cryptic epitope, RHLAFKCLW (cRW9). Importantly, cRW9-specific CD8-TL selected for viral variation in vivo and effectively suppressed SIV replication in vitro, suggesting that they might play a key role in the SIV-specific response. The discovery of an immunodominant CD8-TL response in elite controller macaques against a cryptic epitope suggests that the AIDS virus-specific cellular immune response is likely far more complex than is generally assumed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Genome, Viral / immunology
  • HIV / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta / immunology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes