The influence of antigenic variation on cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in HIV-1 infection.

Journal article

The propensity of HIV-1 for genetic variation, a consequence of error-prone reverse transcription combined with high rates of replication, is thought to contribute to the establishment of persistent infection in the host despite the presence of a vigorous antiviral immune response. Protective immunity to viruses is mediated primarily by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which recognize viral peptides of 8-11 amino acids bound to major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on the surface of infected cells. In this review we examine the mechanisms by which mutation within peptide antigen-encoding regions of the viral genome enables HIV-1 to evade recognition by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The discussion is relevant to other genetically unstable viruses and more generally to intracellular pathogens of variable antigenicity.

Authors: Price, D; Meier, U; Klenerman, P; Purbhoo, M; Phillips, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany)
• Volume: 76
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 699-708
• Publication date: 1998-09-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s001090050270
• EISSN: 1432-1440
• ISSN: 0946-2716
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antigenic Variation; HIV Antigens; HIV Infections; Humans; Peptides; HIV-1; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Lymphocyte Activation