An epitope in human immunodeficiency virus 1 reverse transcriptase recognized by both mouse and human cytotoxic T lymphocytes Article

Hosmalin, A, Clerici, M, Houghten, R et al. (1990). An epitope in human immunodeficiency virus 1 reverse transcriptase recognized by both mouse and human cytotoxic T lymphocytes . PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 87(6), 2344-2348. 10.1073/pnas.87.6.2344

cited authors

  • Hosmalin, A; Clerici, M; Houghten, R; Pendleton, CD; Flexner, C; Lucey, DR; Moss, B; Germain, RN; Shearer, GM; Berzofsky, JA

abstract

  • T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity may play an important role in control of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, we have identified and characterized a relatively conserved epitope in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase recognized by murine and human cytotoxic T cells. This epitope was identified using a murine antigen-specific CD8+ class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) line, a transfected fibroblast cell line expressing the HIV-1 pol gene, recombinant vaccinia viruses containing different truncated versions of the pol gene, and overlapping synthetic peptides. The optimal antigenic site was identified as residues 203-219 by synthesizing extended or truncated peptide analogs of the antigenic fragment. The optimal peptide was then tested for sensitization of autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell targets for killing by fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It was recognized by CTLs from several HIV-seropositive patients but not from any seronegative donor. Therefore, this peptide is a good candidate for inclusion in an AIDS vaccine. This study demonstrates that the same CTL epitope can be seen by murine and human CD8+ CTLs, as previously demonstrated for epitopes recognized by CD4+ helper T cells, and suggests the utility of screening for immunodominant CTL epitopes in mice prior to carrying out studies in humans.

publication date

  • January 1, 1990

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 2344

end page

  • 2348

volume

  • 87

issue

  • 6