Abstract : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I-restricted epitopes are widely believed to be derived from viral proteins encoded by primary open reading frames. However, the HIV-1 genome contains alternative reading frames (ARFs) potentially encoding small polypeptides. We have identified a panel of epitopes encoded by ARFs within the gag, pol, and env genes. The corresponding epitopic peptides were immunogenic in mice humanized for MHC-I molecules. In addition, cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing these epitopes were found in HIV-infected patients. These results reveal the existence of atypical mechanisms of HIV-1 epitope generation. They indicate that the repertoire of epitopes recognized by the cellular anti-HIV-1 immune response is broader than initially thought. This should be taken into account when designing vaccine strategies aimed at activating these responses.
https://hal-pasteur.archives-ouvertes.fr/pasteur-01372661 Contributor : Isma ZianiConnect in order to contact the contributor Submitted on : Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - 3:00:38 PM Last modification on : Thursday, April 7, 2022 - 10:10:22 AM Long-term archiving on: : Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 1:55:55 PM