HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in seropositive individuals

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which kill virus-infected cells are thought to be a major host defence against viral infections. Here we report the existence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific CTL in persons infected with this virus, the aetiological agent of AIDS (acquired...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1987-07, Vol.328 (6128), p.345-348
Main Authors: Walker, Bruce D, Chakrabarti, Sekhar, Moss, Bernard, Paradis, Timothy J, Flynn, Theresa, Durno, Amy G, Blumberg, Richard S, Kaplan, Joan C, Hirsch, Martin S, Schooley, Robert T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology
AIDS
AIDS/HIV
B-Lymphocytes - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Cellular biology
Cytotoxicity
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genes
Genes, Viral
HIV - genetics
HIV - immunology
Homosexuality
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Immune response
Lymphocytes
Male
Medical research
Microbiology
Replicative cycle, interference, host-virus relations, pathogenicity, miscellaneous strains
Serotyping
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology
Vaccines
vaccinia virus
Vaccinia virus - genetics
Virology
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which kill virus-infected cells are thought to be a major host defence against viral infections. Here we report the existence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific CTL in persons infected with this virus, the aetiological agent of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Recombinant HIV-vaccinia viruses were used to express HIV antigens in B-cell lines established from subjects seropositive for HIV and seronegative controls. Circulating lymphocytes capable of killing HIV env-expressing autologous B cells were detected in eight of eight seropositive subjects; in addition, at least three seropositive subjects demonstrated gag-specific cytotoxic responses. No HIV-specific cytotoxicity was observed in seronegative subjects. Selective inhibition of the env-specific cytotoxicity by a CD3-specific monoclonal antibody indicates that the effectors are T cells. This demonstration of a cytotoxic T-cell immune response to HIV in infected individuals should prove useful in investigating the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection further and in evaluating AIDS vaccine strategies.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/328345a0