Selection of a Protective T Cell-based HIV-1/FIV Vaccine

The purpose of this research study is to develop a vaccine against Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a disease that causes AIDS in people,. The investigator will be looking at viruses similar to HIV in animals. Since these viruses are very similar to HIV, the blood from humans who have been exposed to HIV will be tested to see if the immune system will recognize the HIV and prevent infection.

HIV targets the immune system by attacking certain T cells called CD4+ T cells. There are parts on the AIDS viruses that help the virus infect these cells and other parts that help the immune system prevent viral infection by activating protective T-cells that fight HIV. Different T-cell populations are very important in most vaccines as they act as "effectors" that work as part of the immune system to recognize and fight off HIV infection. When effector T cells are activated by appropriate "protective" part(s) of the virus they either block HIV from reproducing or kill HIV infected cells. By finding these common protective parts of each of these human and animal AIDS viruses, the investigator hopes to make a vaccine that helps the immune system prevent HIV infection by avoiding parts that attack CD4+ T cells and may worsen HIV infection and selecting for parts that stimulate effector T cells that fight HIV infection.