Cross-reactive microbial peptides do not expand HIV-1-specific CD8⁺ T cells in HIV-negative donors.

<p>25 HIV-negative HLA-B*27⁺ donors were screened for the presence of KK10-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Donor PBMCs were stimulated with KK10 peptide, KK10CR peptides or negative control CEF pooled peptides for six days, and the percentage of (<b>A</b>) KK10-specific and (<b>B</b>) IFN-γ⁺Perforin⁺ CD8⁺ T cells was quantified by flow cytometry.