HIV VPR-specific T-cell receptors
The instant invention provides TCRs having one or more amino acid substitutions that bind to the AL9 epitope of the HIV protein vpr (AIIRILQQQL).
1. A method of killing a cell infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the method comprising: contacting the cell with an isolated T cell receptor (TCR) wherein the isolated TCR has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID No. 3, and wherein the HIV-1 expresses an AL9 Vpr peptide.
2. A method for inhibiting replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the method comprising: administering from 10 μg/kg to 150 λg/kg of an isolated T cell receptor (TCR) wherein the isolated TCR has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID No. 3, and wherein the HIV-1 expresses an AL9 Vpr peptide.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the TCR is a single-chain TCR.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the TCR is a heterodimeric TCR.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the TCR is a single-chain TCR.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the TCR is a heterodimeric TCR.