Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells play a key role during acute and chronic HIV-1 infection in humans, the ability of potential anti-HIV vaccines to elicit strong, broad T cell responses is likely to be crucial. The HIV-1 Gag antigen...

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Main Authors: Caputo Antonella, Cofano Egidio, Destro Federica, Gallerani Eleonora, Fortini Cinzia, Cellini Silvia, Gavioli Riccardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-07-01
Series:Virology Journal
Online Access:http://www.virologyj.com/content/5/1/81
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author Caputo Antonella
Cofano Egidio
Destro Federica
Gallerani Eleonora
Fortini Cinzia
Cellini Silvia
Gavioli Riccardo
author_facet Caputo Antonella
Cofano Egidio
Destro Federica
Gallerani Eleonora
Fortini Cinzia
Cellini Silvia
Gavioli Riccardo
author_sort Caputo Antonella
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells play a key role during acute and chronic HIV-1 infection in humans, the ability of potential anti-HIV vaccines to elicit strong, broad T cell responses is likely to be crucial. The HIV-1 Gag antigen is widely considered a relevant antigen for the development of an anti-HIV vaccine since it is one of the most conserved viral proteins and is also known to induce T cell responses. In the majority of studies reporting Gag-specific cellular immune responses induced by Gag-based vaccines, only a small number of Gag T cell epitopes were tested in preclinical mouse models, thus giving an incomplete picture of the numerous possible cellular immune responses against this antigen. As is, this partial knowledge of epitope-specific T cell responses directed to Gag will unavoidably result in a limited preclinical evaluation of Gag-based vaccines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study we identified new Gag CD8+ T cell epitopes in BALB/c mice vaccinated with the HIV-1 Gag antigen alone or in combination with the HIV-1 Tat protein, which was recently shown to broaden T cell responses directed to Gag. Specifically, we found that CTL responses to Gag may be directed to nine different CTL epitopes, and four of these were mapped as minimal CTL epitopes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These newly identified CTL epitopes should be considered in the preclinical evaluation of T cell responses induced by Gag-based vaccines in mice.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-3646742333d44e5086c3aacce914e8442022-12-22T03:29:41ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2008-07-01518110.1186/1743-422X-5-81Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c miceCaputo AntonellaCofano EgidioDestro FedericaGallerani EleonoraFortini CinziaCellini SilviaGavioli Riccardo<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells play a key role during acute and chronic HIV-1 infection in humans, the ability of potential anti-HIV vaccines to elicit strong, broad T cell responses is likely to be crucial. The HIV-1 Gag antigen is widely considered a relevant antigen for the development of an anti-HIV vaccine since it is one of the most conserved viral proteins and is also known to induce T cell responses. In the majority of studies reporting Gag-specific cellular immune responses induced by Gag-based vaccines, only a small number of Gag T cell epitopes were tested in preclinical mouse models, thus giving an incomplete picture of the numerous possible cellular immune responses against this antigen. As is, this partial knowledge of epitope-specific T cell responses directed to Gag will unavoidably result in a limited preclinical evaluation of Gag-based vaccines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study we identified new Gag CD8+ T cell epitopes in BALB/c mice vaccinated with the HIV-1 Gag antigen alone or in combination with the HIV-1 Tat protein, which was recently shown to broaden T cell responses directed to Gag. Specifically, we found that CTL responses to Gag may be directed to nine different CTL epitopes, and four of these were mapped as minimal CTL epitopes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These newly identified CTL epitopes should be considered in the preclinical evaluation of T cell responses induced by Gag-based vaccines in mice.</p>http://www.virologyj.com/content/5/1/81
spellingShingle Caputo Antonella
Cofano Egidio
Destro Federica
Gallerani Eleonora
Fortini Cinzia
Cellini Silvia
Gavioli Riccardo
Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
Virology Journal
title Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
title_full Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
title_fullStr Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
title_full_unstemmed Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
title_short Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
title_sort identification of new hiv 1 gag specific cytotoxic t lymphocyte responses in balb c mice
url http://www.virologyj.com/content/5/1/81
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