High frequency of cytomegalovirus-specific cytotoxic T-effector cells in HLA-A*0201-positive subjects during multiple viral coinfections

J Infect Dis. 2000 Jan;181(1):165-75. doi: 10.1086/315201.

Abstract

How the cellular immune response copes with diverse antigenic competition is poorly understood. Responses of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were examined longitudinally in an individual coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). CTL responses to all 3 viruses were quantified by limiting dilution analysis and staining with HLA-A*0201 tetrameric complexes folded with HIV-1, EBV, and CMV peptides. A predominance of CMV-pp65-specific CTL was found, with a much lower frequency of CTL to HIV-1 Gag and Pol and to EBV-BMLF1 and LMP2. The high frequency of CMV-specific CTL, compared with HIV-1- and EBV-specific CTL, was confirmed in an additional 16 HLA-A*0201-positive virus-coinfected subjects. Therefore, the human immune system can mount CTL responses to multiple viral antigens simultaneously, albeit with different strengths.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HLA-A Antigens / isolation & purification*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • HLA-A Antigens