Characterization of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses against peptides selected with broad population and pathogen coverage.

ABSTRACT: CD4+ T cells orchestrate immunity against viral infections, but their importance in HIV infection remains controversial. Nevertheless, comprehensive studies have associated increase in breadth and functional characteristics of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells with decreased viral load. A major challenge for the identification of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells targeting broadly reactive epitopes in populations with diverse ethnic background stems from the vast genomic variation of HIV and the diversity of the host cellular immune system. Here, we describe a novel epitope selection strategy, PopCover, that aims to resolve this challenge, and identify a set of potential HLA class II-restricted HIV epitopes that in concert will provide optimal viral and host coverage. Using this selection strategy, we ide

SUBMITTER: Buggert M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3390319 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature