The Journal of Infectious Diseases · 1994 · 143 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesImmunologyInfectious DiseasesAdaptive ImmunityCellular ImmunologyPediatric ImmunologyAntiviral ImmunityCell-mediated ImmunityCytotoxic T Lymphocyte ResponsesHiv Vaccine DevelopmentT Cell ActivationT Cell BiologyAntigen Recognition By Cytotoxic T LymphocytesCellular Immune Response To VirusesCytotoxic T Lymphocyte FunctionPeripheral Blood Lymphocyte AnalysisT Cell ImmunologyT-cell Immune ResponsesT-cell Mediated ImmunityViral-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against different viral antigens, including env, gag/pol, and nef, was detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes of as many as 25% of uninfected children born to HIV-1-infected mothers. The relatively high frequency of this finding in uninfected, exposed children suggests that CTL-mediated immunity may play a key role in the control or even elimination of the virus. Further characterization of this natural model of potentially protective immunity could provide new insight and suggest further strategies for the development of HIV-1 vaccines.