PMID: 23521884

Authors:

Ladell K, Hashimoto M, Iglesias MC, Wilmann PG, McLaren JE, Gras S, Chikata T, Kuse N, Fastenackels S, Gostick E, Bridgeman JS, Venturi V, Arkoub ZA, Agut H, van Bockel DJ, Almeida JR, Douek DC, Meyer L, Venet A, Takiguchi M, Rossjohn J, Price DA, Appay V

Title:

A Molecular Basis for the Control of Preimmune Escape Variants by HIV-Specific CD8(+) T Cells.

Journal:

Immunity. 2013 Mar 21;38(3):425-36. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2012.11.021.

Abstract:

The capacity of the immune system to adapt to rapidly evolving viruses is a primary feature of effective immunity, yet its molecular basis is unclear. Here, we investigated protective HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T cell responses directed against the immunodominant p24 Gag-derived epitope KK10 (KRWIILGLNK263-272) presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B( *)2705. We found that cross-reactive CD8(+) T cell clonotypes were mobilized to counter the rapid emergence of HIV-1 variants that can directly affect T cell receptor (TCR) recognition. These newly recruited clonotypes expressed TCRs that engaged wild-type and mutant KK10 antigens with similar affinities and almost identical docking modes, thereby accounting for their antiviral efficacy in HLA-B( *)2705(+) individuals. A protective CD8(+) T cell repertoire therefore encompasses the capacity to control TCR-accessible mutations, ultimately driving the development of more complex viral escape variants that disrupt antigen presentation.