Hiv Specific Cd8(+) T Cell Responses To Hxb2 Gag And Nef Peptide Pools In Chinese Hiv/Aids Patients

Introduction: HXB2 is one of the predominant isolates in Europe and America but it is not known whether it can induce HIV specific CD8(+) T cell responses in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients.Methods: 9 AIDS patients and 7 long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) were studied. HIV specific CD8(+) T cell responses stimulated by HXB2 Gag and Nef peptide pools were examined in all patients by ELISPOT.Results: The breadth and magnitude of HIV specific CD8(+) T cell responses in LTNPs group is greater than that in AIDS group (p<0.01). There is a positive correlation between magnitude of HIV specific CD8(+) T cell responses and CD4(+) T cells and a negative correlation with HIV viral load.Conclusions: There is a considerable degree of HIV specific CD8(+) T cell responses to the HXB2 Gag and Nef peptide pools in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients.