MicroGeneSys, Inc.

Cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were evaluated in humans immunized with recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) envelope glycoprotein gp160. Some vaccinees had gp160-specific CTLs that were shown by cloning to be CD4 + . Although induced by exogenous antigen, most gp160-specific CTL clones also recognized gp160 synthesized endogenously in target cells. These clones lysed autologous CD4 + T lymphoblasts infected with HIV. Of particular interest were certain vaccine-induced clones that lysed HIV-infected cells, recognized gp160 from diverse HIV isolates, and did not participate in "innocent bystander" killing of noninfected CD4 + T cells that had bound gp120.