In both cohorts, negative correlations between this PR and the entropy of the OLP sequence were observed, suggesting that responses towards conserved portion of the viral genome mediate superior viral control. The number of responses to OLP with elevated PR values was cumulatively related to reduced viral loads, indicating that multiple responses take part in in vivo viral control. Individuals responding to OLP with highest PR values showed a broad HLA class I allele heterogeneity, indicating that beneficial responses were not limited to few HLA alleles previously associated with relative in vivo control of HIV. In fact, T cell response patterns across the entire set of tested OLP, more so than individuals' HLA types, were predictive of HIV viral loads. These findings were confirmed in a second clade B infection cohort in Spain, again demonstrating the largely HLA-independent relative protection of these responses.