The first T cell response to transmitted/founder virus contributes to the control of acute viremia in HIV-1 infection

Identification of the transmitted/founder virus makes possible, for the first time, a genome-wide analysis of host immune responses against the infecting HIV-1 proteome. A complete dissection was made of the primary HIV-1-specific T cell response induced in three acutely infected patients. Cellular assays, together with new algorithms which identify sites of positive selection in the virus genome, showed that primary HIV-1-specific T cells rapidly select escape mutations concurrent with falling virus load in acute infection. Kinetic analysis and mathematical modeling of virus immune escape showed that the contribution of CD8 T cell-mediated killing of productively infected cells was earlier and much greater…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: DE-AC52-06NA25396, AC52-06NA25396
• BA
  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

  Award: 37874
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases