Evaluating potential T-cell epitope peptides for detecting HIV-specific T cell responses in a highly diverse HIV-1 epidemic from Cameroon.

HIV genetic diversity is a major obstacle for vaccine development. To define whether potential T-cell epitope (PTE) peptide usage improves the detection of T cell responses in a highly diverse HIV-1 epidemic, we compared the magnitude, breadth and depth of group M PTE peptide responses to consensus M peptides in Gag and Nef proteins. Gag PTE responses were detected at a higher magnitude, more Nef PTE responses were detected at a cohort (but not individual) level and depth was detected in both Gag and Nef responses.