Glycoprotein 96-mediated presentation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific human leukocyte antigen class I-restricted peptide and humoral immune responses to HIV-1 p24.

Viral antigens complexed to heat shock proteins (HSPs) can enhance antiviral immunity. The present study evaluated the immunogenicity of a novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1B' (HIV-1B')-specific, human leukocyte antigen A2 (HLA-A2)-restricted peptide (FLQSRPEPTA, Gag(448-457)) and the cellular immune adjuvant effect of HSP gp96 using the HLA-A2 transgenic mouse model. It was found that gp96 could augment cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte responses specific for the 10-mer peptide of HIV-1B'. This study also evaluated the humoral immune adjuvant effect of HSP gp96 and its N-terminal fragment (N336) and found that immunization of BALB/c mice with a mixture of gp96 or its N-terminal fragment and HIV-1 p24 antigen or with an p24-N336 fusion protein resulted in a significant increase in anti-HIV p24 antibody titer. These results demonstrate the possibility of using gp96 and its N fragment as adjuvants to augment cellular and humoral immune responses against HIV-1 infection.