Immunodominance of HLA-B27-restricted HIV KK10-specific CD8+ T-cells is not related to naïve precursor frequency

The factors that determine the immunodominance, efficacy and almost ubiquitous presence of CD8+ T-cell responses to the HLA-B27-restricted HIV-1 p24 Gag-derived KK10 epitope remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that neither the precursor frequency nor the priming capacity of KK10-reactive CD8+ T-cells within the naïve pool differ substantially in comparison to other specificities. These data implicate alternative mechanisms in the relative protection conferred by CD8+ T-cell responses to this epitope.

► The precursor frequency of HIV reactive CD8+ T-cells restricted by HLA-B*2705 is low. ► The in vitro priming capacity of these cells appears also ordinary. ► The precursor frequency cannot explain the protective nature of this response per se.