Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected chimpanzees

Chimpanzees have been important in studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis and in evaluation of HIV-1 candidate vaccines. However, little information is available about HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in these animals. In the present study, in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from infected chimpanzees with HIV-1 Gag peptides was shown to be a sensitive, reproducible method of expanding HIV-1-specific CD8(+) effector CTL. Of interest, PBMC from two chimpanzees had CTL activity against Gag epitopes also recognized by major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted CTL from HIV-1-infected humans. The use of peptide stimulation will help to clarify the role of CTL in vaccine-mediated protection and HIV-1 disease progression in this important animal model.