Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase T helper epitopes identified in mice and humans: Correlation with a cytotoxic T cell epitope

Anne S. De Groot, Mario Clerici, Anne Hosmalin, Stephen H. Hughes, Donna Barnd, Craig W. Hendrix, Richard Houghten, Gene M. Shearer, Jay A. Berzofsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

T cell immunity may be critical to development of a vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). T helper epitopes were identified in three predominantly conserved regions in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by using reverse transcriptase-immunized mice of five major histocompatibility complex haplotypes. One peptide (residues 38-52) that stimulated H-2k T cells also contained an epitope recognized by cytotoxic T cells from the same mice and from HIV-infected patients. Such concordance between helper and cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes, observed in four cases, may be important in vaccine development. Peptide 36-52 was recognized by interleukin-2-producing peripheral blood T cells from 9 of 17 HIV-seropositive humans studied, of multiple human leukocyte antigen-DR and -DQ types. The broad recognition of this peptide by both helper and cytotoxic T cells substantiates its potential importance in a vaccine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1058-1065
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume164
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase T helper epitopes identified in mice and humans: Correlation with a cytotoxic T cell epitope'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this