Abstract: The invention relates to a novel non-radioactive method to detect cytolytic activity that provides a measure of the existence and magnitude of an immune response against a particular antigen or immunogen. Provided is a method for detecting cytolytic activity of cells or a substance against a population of target cells, comprising the steps of providing target cells with a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a reporter molecule and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of interest; co-culturing the target cells with a sample containing cells or a substance suspected of having cytolytic activity; and detecting the viability of target cells provided with the reporter molecule. Also provided are a kit and a nucleic acid for use in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: The presence of cytotoxic T-cells to the Rev and/or Tat protein in samples from a subject infected with immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV in humans, is an indication of a stable disease condition and a favorable prognosis of lack of progression to disease. Immunogenic compositions containing at least one cytotoxic T-cell epitope of the Rev and/or Tat protein of an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV, or a vector encoding the T-cell epitope, may be used to prevent infection by disease caused by the immunodeficiency virus, by stimulating, in the host, a specific cytotoxic T-cell response specific for the respective Rev and/or Tat proteins.

Abstract: The presence of cytotoxic T-cells to the Rev and/or Tat protein in samples from a subject infected with immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV in humans, is an indication of a stable disease condition and a favourable prognosis of lack of progression to disease. Immunogenic compositions containing at least one cytotoxic T-cell epitope of the Rev and/or Tat protein of an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV, or a vector encoding the T-cell epitope, may be used to prevent infection by disease caused by the immunodeficiency virus, by stimulating, in the host, a specific cytotoxic T-cell response specific for the respective Rev and/or Tat proteins.

Abstract: The presence of cytotoxic T-cells to the Rev and/or Tat protein in samples from a subject infected with immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV in humans, is an indication of a stable disease condition and a favourable prognosis of lack of progression to disease. Immunogenic compositions containing at least one cytotoxic T-cell epitope of the Rev and/or Tat protein of an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV, or a vector encoding the T-cell epitope, may be used to prevent infection by disease caused by the immunodeficiency virus, by stimulating, in the host, a specific cytotoxic T-cell response specific for the respective Rev and/or Tat proteins.