Functions of tetramer-stained HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

Significant insight has been gained into constraints on the sensitivity and specificity of staining with class I tetramers. The function of the populations that are defined varies with the clinical situation. Insight has also been gained into the determinants of the CD8+ T cell response during primary and chronic HIV infection. Human class II tetramers have been synthesised but their role in defining CD4+ T cell function in HIV infection remains to be determined.