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BACKGROUND: Presentation of identical HIV-1 peptides by closely related Human Leukocyte Antigen class I (HLAI) molecules can select distinct patterns of escape mutation that have a significant impact on viral fitness and disease progression. The molecular mechanisms by which HLAI micropolymorphisms can induce differential HIV-1 escape patterns within identical peptide epitopes remain unknown. RESULTS: Here, we undertook genetic and structural analyses of two immunodominant HIV-1 peptides, Gag180-188 (TPQDLNTML, TL9-p24) and Nef71-79 (RPQVPLRPM, RM9-Nef) that are among the most highly targeted epitopes in the global HIV-1 epidemic. We show that single polymorphisms between different alleles of the HLA-B7 superfamily can induce a conformational switch in peptide conformation that is associated with differential HLAI-specific escape mutation and immune control. A dominant R71K mutation in the Nef71-79 occurred in those with HLA-B*07:02 but not B*42:01/02 or B*81:01. No structural difference in the HLA-epitope complexes was detected to explain this observation. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that identical peptides presented through very similar HLAI landscapes are recognized as distinct epitopes and provide a novel structural mechanism for previously observed differential HIV-1 escape and disease progression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1186/s12977-015-0149-5

Type

Journal article

Journal

Retrovirology

Publication Date

20/02/2015

Volume

12

Keywords

Adult, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte, HIV Antigens, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Humans, Immune Evasion