HIV-1 Gag, Nef, and Env epitope-specific T cells (HIV-VSTs)

HIV-1 Gag, Nef, and Env epitope-specific T cells are an adoptive cellular therapy consisting of T lymphocytes expanded ex vivo to recognize specific viral antigens. These cells are typically generated by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells with peptide pools (pepmixes) covering the Gag, Nef, and Env proteins (Keller et al., 2019, Journal of Clinical Investigation). The primary biological function of these T cells is to identify and eliminate HIV-infected cells that express these viral epitopes on their surface via MHC molecules (Sung et al., 2018, Molecular Therapy). In the context of HIV cure research, these cells are often used in shock and kill strategies, where latency-reversing agents like vorinostat or romidepsin are used to induce viral expression, making the latent reservoir susceptible to T-cell-mediated lysis (Bollard et al., 2014, Science Translational Medicine). This approach aims to reduce the size of the persistent viral reservoir that remains despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). While clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this approach, challenges remain regarding the long-term persistence and potency of the infused cells within the complex immune environment of an HIV-infected individual (Lam et al., 2018, Journal of Infectious Diseases).

Other names

HIV-specific T cellsHX-TCMulti-antigen HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytesGag/Nef/Env-specific T cells

Adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded T cells that recognize HIV-1 Gag, Nef, and Env epitopes presented on MHC molecules, leading to the targeted destruction of HIV-infected cells via cytotoxic effector functions.