Lack of Association between HLA Class II Alleles and In Vitro Replication Capacities of Recombinant Viruses Encoding HIV-1 Subtype C Gag-Protease from Chronically Infected Individuals
- Jaclyn K. Wright ,
- Zabrina L. Brumme ,
- Boris Julg ,
- Mary van der Stok ,
- Zenele Mncube ,
- Xiaojiang Gao ,
- Jonathan M. Carlson ,
- Philip J. R. Goulder ,
- Bruce D. Walker ,
- Mark A. Brockman ,
- Thumbi Ndung'u
Journal of Virology |
It is unknown whether favorable HLA class II alleles may attenuate HIV-1 through selection pressure in a manner similar to that of protective HLA class I alleles. We investigated the relationship between HLA class II alleles and in vitro replication capacities of recombinant viruses encoding HIV-1 subtype C Gag-protease from chronically infected individuals. No associations were found between individual alleles and lower replication capacity, suggesting no significant HIV-1 attenuation by HLA class II-restricted Gag-specific CD4+ T cell immune pressure.