[HIV-1 nef specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in long-term nonprogressors and AIDS patients]

To investigate the HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses in long-term nonprogressor (LTNP) and AIDS patient in China.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 7 LTNPs and 9 AIDS patients, 12 males and 4 females, aged 37 (27 approximately 55). A panel of 26 overlapping peptides spanning HIV-1 nef constituting 3 peptide pools was used as antigens. The HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses of the LTNPs and AIDS patients were examined by IFN- ELISPOT assay. The amount of CD4(+) T cell and viral load were detected. The relationships between HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses and CD4(+) T cell counts and viral loads were studied.

The strength of HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses of LTNP group was 404 +/- 33 SFC/10(6) PBMCs, significantly higher than that of the AIDS group (59 +/- 121 SFC/10(6) PBMCs). The strength of HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses was positively correlated with the CD4(+) T cell count. No relationship between the strength of CD8(+) T cell responses and viral load was found.

HIV-1 nef specific CD8(+) T cell responses may play an important role in preventing disease progression of HIV infection. There is a cross immune response between the major HIV-1 strains in Europe and those in China.