Identifying risk factors for HIV-positive test results in walk-in and hospitalized patients in a Mexico City HIV clinic: a descriptive study.

The objective of this study was to analyze risk factors for HIV-positive tests in walk-in users and in hospitalized patients in a Mexico City hospital. We undertook a cross-sectional study based on routine HIV testing and counseling service data in adults undergoing an HIV test from January 2015 to July 2017. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for walk-in and hospitalized patients.

Why individuals fail to collect HIV-test results: an exploratory study at a testing and counseling center in Mexico City.

Objective: To identify the characteristics of clients at an HIV clinic in Mexico City who fail to collect their HIV test results and to explore the reasons for non-collection.

Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study that used 2016 program data from the HIV Testing and Counseling Center in Mexico City. Clients with a negative HIV-test result in 2016 were classified as collectors or non-collectors, and their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were compared by multivariate logistic regression.

Fine-tuning of CD8(+) T-cell effector functions by targeting the 2B4-CD48 interaction.

Polyfunctionality and cytotoxic activity dictate CD8(+) T-cell efficacy in the eradication of infected and malignant cells. The induction of these effector functions depends on the specific interaction between the T-cell receptor (TCR) and its cognate peptide-MHC class I complex, in addition to signals provided by co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory receptors, which can further regulate these functions. Among these receptors, the role of 2B4 is contested, as it has been described as either co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory in modulating T-cell functions.

Steroids are a risk factor for Kaposi's sarcoma-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and mortality in HIV infection.

Objectives: To investigate the association between Kaposi's sarcoma-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (KS-IRIS) and mortality, with the use of glucocorticoids in HIV-infected individuals.

Design: Case-control study.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 145 individuals with HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma receiving antiretroviral therapy.

CMV driven CD8(+) T-cell activation is associated with acute rejection in lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation is the definitive treatment for terminal respiratory disease, but the associated mortality rate is high. Acute rejection of the transplanted lung is a key determinant of adverse prognosis. Furthermore, an epidemiological relationship has been established between the occurrence of acute lung rejection and cytomegalovirus infection.

A molecular basis for the control of preimmune escape variants by HIV-specific CD8+ T cells.

The capacity of the immune system to adapt to rapidly evolving viruses is a primary feature of effective immunity, yet its molecular basis is unclear. Here, we investigated protective HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses directed against the immunodominant p24 Gag-derived epitope KK10 (KRWIILGLNK263-272) presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B∗2705. We found that cross-reactive CD8+ T cell clonotypes were mobilized to counter the rapid emergence of HIV-1 variants that can directly affect T cell receptor (TCR) recognition.

Immunodominance of HLA-B27-restricted HIV KK10-specific CD8(+) T-cells is not related to naïve precursor frequency.

The factors that determine the immunodominance, efficacy and almost ubiquitous presence of CD8(+) T-cell responses to the HLA-B27-restricted HIV-1 p24 Gag-derived KK10 epitope remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that neither the precursor frequency nor the priming capacity of KK10-reactive CD8(+) T-cells within the naïve pool differ substantially in comparison to other specificities. These data implicate alternative mechanisms in the relative protection conferred by CD8(+) T-cell responses to this epitope.

Escape from highly effective public CD8+ T-cell clonotypes by HIV.

Mapping the precise determinants of T-cell efficacy against viruses in humans is a public health priority with crucial implications for vaccine design. To inform this effort, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the effective CD8(+) T-cell clonotypes that constitute responses specific for the HIV p24 Gag-derived KK10 epitope (KRWIILGLNK; residues 263-272) restricted by HLA-B*2705, which are known to confer superior control of viral replication in HIV-infected individuals. Particular KK10-specific CD8(+) T-cell clonotypes, characterized by TRBV4-3/TRBJ1-3 gene rearrangements, were found to be preferentially selected in vivo and shared between individuals.

Antigen sensitivity and T-cell receptor avidity as critical determinants of HIV control.

Purpose Of Review: Induction of highly effective T cells capable of performing elite control of HIV replication represents a major goal of vaccinology. Here, we review the recent evidence supporting the central role of antigen sensitivity and T-cell receptor (TCR) avidity in determining anti-HIV T-cell efficacy. We discuss why the modulation of these factors represents an interesting approach for the rational design of HIV vaccines.

Lentiviral vectors encoding HIV-1 polyepitopes induce broad CTL responses in vivo.

Lentiviral vectors have been tested as vaccination vectors in anti-tumoral and anti-viral models. They efficiently transduce dendritic cells and stimulate strong T-cell responses against the encoded antigen. However, their capacity to stimulate a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against several antigens has not been evaluated.

A single immunization with a minute dose of a lentiviral vector-based vaccine is highly effective at eliciting protective humoral immunity against West Nile virus.

Background: Lentiviral vectors, due to their capacity to transduce non-dividing cells, have become precious and worldwide used gene transfer systems. Their ability to efficiently and stably transduce dendritic cells (DCs) has led to their successful use as vaccination vectors for eliciting strong, specific and protective cellular immune responses mostly in anti-tumoral but also in anti-viral applications. However, the ability of lentiviral vectors to elicit an antibody-based protective immunity has, to date, not been evaluated.