Eventual AIDS vaccine failure in a rhesus monkey by viral escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The immune system has two mechanisms of specific or adaptive immunity, the antibody response and the T-cell response. The T-cell response includes a class of T-cells called cytotoxic T-cells (CD8 cells) that are able to recognize infected cells when antigens are presented on their surface in association with MHC class I molecules.

The specific immunity conferred by these two mechanisms allows for an individual to develop a prolonged resistance to specific pathogens following an initial exposure. The establishment and use of vaccines is based on this principle.

These scientists sought to develop and study a vaccine against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Rhesus monkeys were used in this experiment, however they are not susceptible to HIV. Therefore the use of a hybrid between Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) and HIV called SHIV was required. These monkeys were given the vaccine and later exposed to SHIV. All monkeys developed an SHIV infection but those that were vaccinated experienced an improved ability to control chronic infection. However, in one monkey vaccine eventually failed leading to viral breakthrough and the decline of the subject. This paper seeks to understand the reasons and mechanism for this failure.

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Based on the following paper:

Barouch, D.H., Kuntsman, J., Kuroda, M.J., Schmitz, J.E., Santra, S., Peyeri, F.W., Krivulka, G.R., Beaurdry, K., Lifton, M.A., Gorgone, D.A., Monteffiori, D.C., Lewis, M.G., Wolinsky, S.M., Letvin, N.L. 2002. Eventual AIDS Vaccine Failure in a Rhesus Monkey by Viral Escape from Cytoxic T Lymphocytes. Nature. Vol. 415. pg. 335

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