DCs electroporated with gag mRNA trigger autologous T cells to secrete IFN-γ and IL-2. (A) iDCs from an HIV-1–seropositive individual electroporated with hHxB-2 or proviral gag mRNA were used as stimulators for autologous PBMCs in IFN-γ ELISPOT assay or were further matured. Twenty-four hours later, mDCs were used as stimulators for autologous PBMCs during a 24-hour IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. (B) The same protocol was followed in parallel for the IL-2 ELISPOT assay. IL-2 SFCs were significantly induced in cultures with gag mRNA-electroporated mDCs in comparison with mock-electroporated mDCs. The difference between mock-electroporated iDCs and gag mRNA-electroporated iDCs was not significant (see “Stimulatory capacity of DCs electroporated with mRNA of autologous amplified env”). Both experiments were done for patients P26 (asterisk), P27 (□), and P28 (▵).