CD8+ T cell recognition of cryptic epitopes is a ubiquitous feature of AIDS virus infection

J Virol. 2010 Nov;84(21):11569-74. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01419-10. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

Vaccines designed to elicit AIDS virus-specific CD8+ T cells should engender broad responses. Emerging data indicate that alternate reading frames (ARFs) of both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) encode CD8+ T cell epitopes, termed cryptic epitopes. Here, we show that SIV-specific CD8+ T cells from SIV-infected rhesus macaques target 14 epitopes in eight ARFs during SIV infection. Animals recognized up to five epitopes, totaling nearly one-quarter of the anti-SIV responses. The epitopes were targeted by high-frequency responses as early as 2 weeks postinfection and in the chronic phase. Hence, previously overlooked ARF-encoded epitopes could be important components of AIDS vaccines.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HIV
  • Macaca mulatta
  • SAIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / therapy*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • SAIDS Vaccines