Vaccine-Induced Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Responses Focused on a Single Nef Epitope Select for Escape Variants Shortly after Infection

J Virol. 2015 Nov;89(21):10802-20. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01440-15. Epub 2015 Aug 19.

Abstract

Certain major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) alleles (e.g., HLA-B*27) are enriched among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals who suppress viremia without treatment (termed "elite controllers" [ECs]). Likewise, Mamu-B*08 expression also predisposes rhesus macaques to control simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication. Given the similarities between Mamu-B*08 and HLA-B*27, SIV-infected Mamu-B*08(+) animals provide a model to investigate HLA-B*27-mediated elite control. We have recently shown that vaccination with three immunodominant Mamu-B*08-restricted epitopes (Vif RL8, Vif RL9, and Nef RL10) increased the incidence of elite control in Mamu-B*08(+) macaques after challenge with the pathogenic SIVmac239 clone. Furthermore, a correlate analysis revealed that CD8(+) T cells targeting Nef RL10 was correlated with improved outcome. Interestingly, this epitope is conserved between SIV and HIV-1 and exhibits a delayed and atypical escape pattern. These features led us to postulate that a monotypic vaccine-induced Nef RL10-specific CD8(+) T-cell response would facilitate the development of elite control in Mamu-B*08(+) animals following repeated intrarectal challenges with SIVmac239. To test this, we vaccinated Mamu-B*08(+) animals with nef inserts in which Nef RL10 was either left intact (group 1) or disrupted by mutations (group 2). Although monkeys in both groups mounted Nef-specific cellular responses, only those in group 1 developed Nef RL10-specific CD8(+) T cells. These vaccine-induced effector memory CD8(+) T cells did not prevent infection. Escape variants emerged rapidly in the group 1 vaccinees, and ultimately, the numbers of ECs were similar in groups 1 and 2. High-frequency vaccine-induced CD8(+) T cells focused on a single conserved epitope and therefore did not prevent infection or increase the incidence of elite control in Mamu-B*08(+) macaques.

Importance: Since elite control of chronic-phase viremia is a classic example of an effective immune response against HIV/SIV, elucidating the basis of this phenomenon may provide useful insights into how to elicit such responses by vaccination. We have previously established that vaccine-induced CD8(+) T-cell responses against three immunodominant epitopes can increase the incidence of elite control in SIV-infected Mamu-B*08(+) rhesus macaques—a model of HLA-B*27-mediated elite control. Here, we investigated whether a monotypic vaccine-induced CD8(+) T-cell response targeting the conserved "late-escaping" Nef RL10 epitope can increase the incidence of elite control in Mamu-B*08(+) monkeys. Surprisingly, vaccine-induced Nef RL10-specific CD8(+) T cells selected for variants within days after infection and, ultimately, did not facilitate the development of elite control. Elite control is, therefore, likely to involve CD8(+) T-cell responses against more than one epitope. Together, these results underscore the complexity and multidimensional nature of virologic control of lentivirus infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SAIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-B27 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • NEF protein, SIV
  • SAIDS Vaccines
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins