Human endogenous retrovirus K (HML-2) Gag-and Env-specific T-cell responses are infrequently detected in HIV-1-infected subjects using standard peptide matrix …

RB Jones, VM John, DV Hunter, E Martin… - Clinical and Vaccine …, 2012 - Am Soc Microbiol
RB Jones, VM John, DV Hunter, E Martin, S Mujib, V Mihajlovic, PC Burgers, TM Luider…
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 2012Am Soc Microbiol
ABSTRACT T-cell responses to human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) K (HML-2) Gag and
Env were mapped in HIV-1-infected subjects using 15mer peptides. Small peptide pools and
high concentrations were used to maximize sensitivity. In the 23 subjects studied, only three
bona fide HERV-K (HML-2)-specific responses were detected. At these high peptide
concentrations, we detected false-positive responses, three of which were mapped to an HIV-
1 Gag peptide contaminant. Thus, HERV-K (HML-2) Gag-and Env-specific T-cell responses …
Abstract
T-cell responses to human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) K(HML-2) Gag and Env were mapped in HIV-1-infected subjects using 15mer peptides. Small peptide pools and high concentrations were used to maximize sensitivity. In the 23 subjects studied, only three bona fide HERV-K(HML-2)-specific responses were detected. At these high peptide concentrations, we detected false-positive responses, three of which were mapped to an HIV-1 Gag peptide contaminant. Thus, HERV-K(HML-2) Gag- and Env-specific T-cell responses are infrequently detected by 15mer peptide mapping.
American Society for Microbiology