Vaccine-induced gag-specific T cells are associated with reduced viremia after HIV-1 infection.

Abstract

The contribution of host T-cell immunity and HLA class I alleles to the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication in natural infection is widely recognized. We assessed whether vaccine-induced T-cell immunity, or expression of certain HLA alleles, impacted HIV-1 control after infection in the Step MRKAd5/HIV-1 gag/pol/nef study. Vaccine-induced T cells were associated with reduced plasma viremia, with subjects targeting ≥3 gag peptides presenting with half-log lower mean viral loads than subjects without Gag responses. This effect was stronger in participants infected proximal to vaccination and was independent of our observed association of HLA-B*27, -B*57 and -B*58:01 alleles with lower HIV-1 viremia. These findings support the ability of vaccine-induced T-cell responses to influence postinfection outcome and provide a rationale for the generation of T-cell responses by vaccination to reduce viremia if protection from acquisition is not achieved. Clinical trials identifier: NCT00095576.

• Authors: Holly Janes, David P Friedrich, Amy Krambrink, Rebecca J Smith, Esper G Kallas, Helen Horton, Danilo R Casimiro, Mary Carrington, Daniel E Geraghty, Peter B Gilbert, M Juliana McElrath, Nicole Frahm
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 208 Issue 8 Pg. 1231-9 (Oct 15 2013) ISSN: 1537-6613 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23878319 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• AIDS Vaccines
• HLA Antigens
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• RNA, Viral
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Topics

• AIDS Vaccines (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Adult
• Alleles
• Double-Blind Method
• HIV Infections (immunology, prevention & control, virology)
• HIV-1 (immunology)
• HLA Antigens (biosynthesis, genetics, immunology)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• RNA, Viral (genetics)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Viral Load (immunology)
• Viremia (blood, immunology, prevention & control)
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (immunology)