Efficacy of vaccine-induced Vif-specific CTL responses against SIVmac239 infection: implications for antigen design in AIDS vaccines

Background Optimization of antigens as well as delivery system is crucial for development of an effective T-cell based AIDS vaccine. Our recent results suggested higher antiviral efficacy of Vifand Nef-specific CTLs as well as Gag-specific ones (JEM 199:1709, 2004; AIDS 24:2777, 2010). Here, we examined efficacy of Gag-specific or Vif/Nef-specific CTL induction by vaccination against SIV infection.