RAPID COMMUNICATION Targeting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Cells by CDS+ T Lymphocytes Armed With Universal T-cell Receptors

We have developed an immunotherapeutic approach with potential application in the treatment of viral and malignant disease. We show that primary CD8' T cells isolated from peripheral blood can be genetically modified by retroviral transduction to express high levels of universal (major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted) chimeric T-cell receptors specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens. Two classes of HIV-specific URs in which the antigen-binding domain is comprised of either CD4 or a singlechain antibody are capable of activating a number of T-cell