Parameters influencing measurement of the Gag antigen-specific T-proliferative response to HIV type 1 infection

We have analyzed factors that might influence the ill vitro quantitation of the T-proliferative response to HIV-1 Gag antigens, a common and increasin gly used clinical measurement of helper T cell function in the context of H IV-1 infection, We have compared the rate and extent of T cell proliferatio n in freshly prepared and previously frozen PBMC samples, and have conclude d that frozen cells can be used successfully; we have assessed whether the suppression of any HIV-1 replication in the PBMC cultures affects the exten t of T cell proliferation; we have studied which forms of the Gag antigens are the most efficient at inducing T cell proliferation, From the latter ex periments, we conclude that Gag proteins that include p17, and perhaps also p7, sequences flanking the central p24 capsid protein, are better stimulan ts than proteins that comprise only p24 sequences.