Crippling HIV one mutation at a time

J Exp Med. 2008 May 12;205(5):1003-7. doi: 10.1084/jem.20080569. Epub 2008 May 5.

Abstract

Accumulating data suggest that not all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-specific immune responses are equally effective at controlling HIV-1 replication. A new study now demonstrates that multiple immune-driven sequence polymorphisms in the highly conserved HIV-1 Gag region of transmitted viruses are associated with reduced viral replication in newly infected humans. These data suggest that targeting these and other conserved viral regions may be the key to developing an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • HIV Infections / genetics*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mutation*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / virology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines