HIV T cell vaccines, the importance of clades

Abstract

Development of an HIV vaccine presents a formidable challenge. One of the unresolved, yet central issues is the importance of HIV variability. Here we argue that even with the recent focus on the induction of T cell-mediated immunity, HIV vaccines should match the local circulating HIV clades. Whether used alone or in a combination with vaccines eliciting HIV-neutralizing antibodies, efforts must be made to develop a T cell vaccine that stimulates a broad and long-lasting response.