Distinct Recognition of Non-Clade B Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Epitopes by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Generated from Donors Infected in Africa

Abstract

We present detailed studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to clade A or C HIV type 1 in three donors infected in East Africa. We define several novel non-clade B CTL epitopes, including some restricted by HLA alleles common in Africans. Although cross-clade CTL recognition of these epitopes does occur, recognition can also be highly clade specific.