Localization of CD4+ T cell epitope hotspots to exposed strands of HIV envelope glycoprotein suggests structural influences on antigen processing.

ABSTRACT: The spectrum of immunogenic epitopes presented by the H2-IA(b) MHC class II molecule to CD4(+) T cells has been defined for two different (clade B and clade D) HIV envelope (gp140) glycoproteins. Hybridoma T cell lines were generated from mice immunized by a sequential prime and boost regime with DNA, recombinant vaccinia viruses, and protein. The epitopes recognized by reactive T cell hybridomas then were characterized with overlapping peptides synthesized to span the entire gp140 sequence. Evidence of clonality also was assessed with antibodies to T cell receptor Valpha and Vbeta chains. A total of 80 unique clonotypes were characterized from six individual mice. Immunogenic peptides were identified within only four regions of the HIV envelope. These epitope hotspots comprised relatively

SUBMITTER: Surman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC31878 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature