Analysis of the proliferative responses to peptides in individuals with vigorous Gag protein-specific proliferation

Proliferative responses to recombinant HIV proteins in infected individuals may represent a correlate of protection from disease progression. In this study, the proliferative responses to HIV p24, p55 and gp120 were evaluated in infected subjects. Whereas, vigorous proliferative responses directed a t the Gag proteins were detected in several individuals, Env-specific proli feration was observed in only one subject. Epitope mapping using overlappin g peptides demonstrated proliferative responses of PBMC to Gag peptides. Re sponses were broadly directed at multiple peptides in some subjects. Althou gh several of the peptides that induced proliferative responses also contai n CTL epitopes potentially relevant in the particular individuals, many add itional Gag T cell epitopes were present in each subject. This finding may be relevant for the design and testing of HIV candidate vaccines. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.