We have been investigating the role of these cells in chronic human viral infections, and are particularly interested in translational studies to answer basic questions related to viral pathogenesis in humans. Studies include assessing the breadth, magnitude, epitope specificity and duration of CTL responses, using molecular immunologic techniques including TCR analysis to track CTL responses over time, labeled recombinant soluble class I-peptide tetramers to sort for specific CTL, sequencing of viral RNA in plasma to detect emergence of immune escape within CTL epitopes.
New studies examine relationship between viral diversity and immune responses.
We have identified robust responses in persons with non-progressing illness, which correlate inversely with viral load. A fully functioning laboratory in Kampala supports these studies. I studies of therapeutic vaccines are in progress in Boston.