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Journal of Virology, October 2008, p. 9795-9799, Vol. 82, No. 19
0022-538X/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JVI.01217-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal,1 Clínica Universitária de Medicina 2, Hospital de Santa Maria, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal2
Received 12 June 2008/ Accepted 13 July 2008
Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection, unlike HIV-1 infection, is normally characterized by low rates of CD4 depletion and low-to-undetectable viremia. We found that the frequency of Gag-specific CD4+ T cells featured positive correlations with the expression of markers of CD4 activation and a negative correlation with peripheral blood mononuclear cell-associated proviral load in infection with HIV-2, in contrast with HIV-1. Moreover, HIV-2-infected individuals exhibited a greater ability to respond to HIV-1 Gag peptides (heterologous responses). Our data suggest a potential link between HIV-2-specific CD4 responses, immune activation, and viral control, which may in turn relate to the better prognosis associated with HIV-2 infection.
Published ahead of print on 23 July 2008.
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