Longitudinal analysis of an HLA-B*51-restricted epitope in integrase reveals immune escape in early HIV-1 infection

Objective: To fully define cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) escape variants of an HLA-B*51-restricted integrase epitope in early HIV-1 infection. Design: Ninety-four longitudinally sampled acute/early HIV-1 subtype B-infected participants were assessed to determine HLA-B*51-restricted LPPVVAKEI (LI9) escape variants. Methods: LI9 was sequenced at baseline and subsequent time points. Interferon-? (IFN?) ELISpot assays were performed using serial log dilutions of variant LI9 peptides to determine the cellular response and functional avidity. Results: There is a significant association between HLA-B*51 expression and an evolving LI9 sequence from baseline to year 1 (P?