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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
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Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
Preferential Reservoir Seeding in HPV16-Specific CD4-T-Cells During HIV-1 Acute and Chronic Infection
Amay Shah1, Carlo Sacdalan2,3, Robert Gorelick4
1Mucosal and Cutaneous Viral Immunopathogenesis Unit, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV)16-specific CD4-T-cells are found in men living with HIV (MLWH) and may indicate a higher risk for anal cancer. These cells also act as a reservoir for HIV-1.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- The anal canal is a primary site for HIV-1 acquisition in men who have sex with men (MSM).
- Men living with HIV (MLWH) exhibit the highest incidence of anal cancer.
- HPV16 infection and low CD4-T-cell counts are known predictors of anal cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an assay for identifying and characterizing HPV16-specific T-cell responses in MLWH.
- To investigate the role of HPV16-specific T-cells in HIV-1 reservoirs and anal cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel assay to detect HPV16-specific T-cell responses.
- Analysis of CD4-T-cell populations in acutely and chronically HIV-1 infected MLWH.
- T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to assess T-cell repertoire diversity.
Main Results:
- HPV16-specific CD4-T-cells were identified in 40% of acutely and 81% of chronically infected MLWH.
- These HPV16-specific CD4-T-cells contained higher levels of HIV-1 DNA/RNA compared to non-specific cells.
- TCR sequencing showed a less diverse and more restricted repertoire in HPV16-specific CD4-T-cells.
Conclusions:
- HPV16-specific CD4-T-cells represent an early and preferential HIV-1 reservoir in MLWH.
- These cells may serve as a novel immunologic marker for anal cancer risk in this population.
