Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8+T Cells Recognize Vpr- and Rev-Derived Epitopes Early after Infection

ABSTRACTThe kinetics of CD8+T cell epitope presentation contribute to the antiviral efficacy of these cells yet remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate presentation of virion-derived Vpr peptide epitopes early after viral penetration and prior to presentation of Vif-derived epitopes, which requiredde novoVif synthesis. Two Rev epitopes exhibited differential presentation kinetics, with one Rev epitope presented within 1 h of infection. We also demonstrate that cytolytic activity mirrors the recognition kinetics of infected cells. These studies show for the first time that Vpr- and Rev-specific CD8+T cells recognize and kill simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected CD4+T cells early after SIV infection.