Abstract
In 1989, a curious phenomenon was described: HIVspecific T-cell responses to the viral envelope and core proteins could be detected in antibody-positive and antigen-negative sexual partners of known HIV-positive men [1]. Two other reports confirmed that initial observation on a total of six exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals, and the author raised the possibility that exposure to HIV that did not result in seroconversion and infection could be associated with the exclusive priming of T lymphocytes [2,3]. Analyses performed in different cohorts of individuals at high risk of HIV infection, including healthcare workers parenterally exposed to HIV and healthy newborns of HIV-infected mothers, revealed that HIV-specific CD4þ T helper cells, but not antibodies, were present in these persons [4,5]. These observations led to the hypothesis that viral exposure resulting in the exclusive priming of HIVspecific T cells could be associated with protection against the establishment of HIV infection [6].
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