Lack of Detectable HIV-1–Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses in Zambian HIV-1–Exposed Seronegative Partners of HIV-1

Brainard, Diana M.Rathod, AlmasPiechocka-Trocha, AlicjaFideli, UlgenMulenga, JosephShutes, ErinAlvino, Donna Marie L.Hunter, EricAllen, Susan A.Addo, Marylyn MartinaAltfeld, MarcusWalker, Bruce2012-08-082011Addo, Marylyn M., Marcus Altfeld, Diana M. Brainard, Almas Rathod, Alicja Piechocka-Trocha, Ulgen Fideli, Joseph Mulenga, et al. 2011. Lack of detectable HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cell responses in Zambian HIV-1–exposed seronegative partners of HIV-1–positive individuals. Journal of Infectious Diseases 203(2): 258-262.0022-1899http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9369410Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)–specific T cell responses were characterized in a blinded study involving infected individuals and their seronegative exposed uninfected (EU) partners from Lusaka, Zambia. HIV-1–specific T cell responses were detected ex vivo in all infected individuals and amplified, on average, 27-fold following in vitro expansion. In contrast, no HIV-1–specific T cell responses were detected in any of the EU partners ex vivo or following in vitro expansion. These data demonstrate that the detection of HIV-1–specific T cell immunity in EU individuals is not universal and that alternative mechanisms may account for protection in these individuals.en-USHIV/AIDSLack of Detectable HIV-1–Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses in Zambian HIV-1–Exposed Seronegative Partners of HIV-1–Positive IndividualsJournal Article2012-08-0810.1093/infdis/jiq028