We also demonstrate that in some subjects, the repertoire of CD8+ T cells generated by stimulation with HIV-1 peptides is quantitatively distinct from the repertoire of CD8+ T cells generated by stimulation with cross-reactive microbial peptides, although both populations of stimulated CD8+ T cells are capable of suppressing ex vivo HIV-1 infection in autologous CD4+ T cells. Here, CD8A is linked to HIV-1 infection.