Viruses 2009, 1(3), 362-382; doi:10.3390/v1030362
The Natural Selection of Herpesviruses and Virus-Specific NK Cell Receptors
Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Received: 14 August 2009 / Revised: 13 October 2009 / Accepted: 13 October 2009 / Published: 13 October 2009
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antiviral Responses to Herpes Viruses)
Abstract
During the co-evolution of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and natural killer (NK) cells, each has evolved specific tactics in an attempt to prevail. CMV has evolved multiple immune evasion mechanisms to avoid detection by NK cells and other immune cells, leading to chronic infection. Meanwhile, the host has evolved virus-specific receptors to counter these evasion strategies. The natural selection of viral genes and host receptors allows us to observe a unique molecular example of "survival of the fittest", as virus and immune cells try to out-maneuver one another or for the virus to achieve détente for optimal dissemination in the population.Keywords:
NK cells; cytomegalovirus; evolution
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sun, J.C.; Lanier, L.L. The Natural Selection of Herpesviruses and Virus-Specific NK Cell Receptors. Viruses 2009, 1, 362-382.