Viruses 2012, 4(8), 1335-1353; doi:10.3390/v4081335
Herpesviruses Placating the Unwilling Host: Manipulation of the MHC Class II Antigen Presentation Pathway
Cancer Research UK Birmingham Cancer Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Received: 13 July 2012 / Revised: 14 August 2012 / Accepted: 15 August 2012 / Published: 22 August 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Evasion)
Abstract
Lifelong persistent infection by herpesviruses depends on the balance between host immune responses and viral immune evasion. CD4 T cells responding to antigens presented on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules are known to play an important role in controlling herpesvirus infections. Here we review, with emphasis on human herpesvirus infections, the strategies evolved to evade CD4 T cell immunity. These viruses target multiple points on the MHC class II antigen presentation pathway. The mechanisms include: suppression of CIITA to inhibit the synthesis of MHC class II molecules, diversion or degradation of HLA-DR molecules during membrane transport, and direct targeting of the invariant chain chaperone of HLA-DR.Keywords:
herpes viruses; MHC class II; CD4 T cell; immune evasion
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
Zuo, J.; Rowe, M. Herpesviruses Placating the Unwilling Host: Manipulation of the MHC Class II Antigen Presentation Pathway. Viruses 2012, 4, 1335-1353.