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A crucial requirement in the rational design of a prophylactic vaccine against the hu-uman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is to establish whether or not protective immunity can occur following natural infection. The immune response to HIV infection is characterized by very vigorous HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity. We have identified four HIV-1 and HIV-2 cross-reactive peptide epitopes, presented to CTL from HIV-infected Gambians by HLA-B35 (the most common Gambian class I HLA molecule). These peptides were used to elicit HIV-specific CTLs from three out of six repeatedly exposed but HIV-seronegative female prostitutes with HLA-B35. These women remain seronegative with no evidence of HIV infection by polymerase chain reaction or viral culture. Their CTL activity may represent protective immunity against HIV infection. © 1995 Nature Publishing Group.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nm0195-59

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nature Medicine

Publication Date

01/01/1995

Volume

1

Pages

59 - 64