Study on HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T cells effectively controlling HIV-1

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870550
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Infectious disease medicine; Virology
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: MURAKOSHI HAYATO 熊本大学, エイズ学研究センター, 産学官連携研究員 (60646123)
• Research Collaborator: GATANAGA Hiroyuki ; CHIKATA Takayuki ; TAMURA Yoshiko
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞傷害性T細胞 / HIV / HLA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We here sought to identify CD8+ T cells controlling HIV-1 variants in 401 Japanese individuals chronically infected with HIV-1 subtype B, in which protective alleles HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*27 are very rare, by using comprehensive and exhaustive methods. We identified 13 HIV-1 epitope-specific CD8+ T cells controlling HIV-1 in Japanese individuals though 9 of these epitopes were not previously reported. Nine of these epitopes were conserved among HIV-1 subtype B-infected individuals, whereas three out of 4 non-conserved epitopes were cross-recognized by the specific T cells. These findings indicate that these 12 epitopes are strong candidates of antigens for AIDS vaccine. The present study highlighted a strategy to identify CD8+ T cells controlling HIV-1 and demonstrated effective control of HIV-1 by those specific for 12 conserved or cross-reactive epitopes.

Free Research Field

感染症内科学、ウイルス学