Role of Escape Mutant-Specific T Cells in Suppression of HIV-1 Replication and Coevolution with HIV-1

Escape mutant-specific CD8 + T cells were elicited in some individuals infected with escape mutants, but it is still unknown whether these CD8 + T cells can suppress HIV-1 replication. We clarified that Gag280V mutation were selected by HLA-B*52:01-restricted CD8 + T cells specific for the GagRI8 protective epitope, whereas the Gag280V virus could frequently elicit GagRI8-6V mutant-specific CD8 + T cells. GagRI8-6V mutant-specific T cells had a strong ability to suppress the replication of the Gag280V mutant virus both in vitro and in vivo . In addition, these T cells contributed to the selection of wild-type virus in HLA-B*52:01 + Japanese individuals. We for the first time demonstrated that escape mutant-specific CD8 + T cells can suppress HIV-1 replication and play an important role in the coevolution with HIV-1. Thus, the present study highlighted an important role of escape mutant-specific T cells in the control of HIV-1 and coevolution with HIV-1.