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Virus subversion of protective immunity

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Abstract

The major histocompatibility (MHC) class I antigen presentation pathway plays a pivotal role in immunity to viruses. MHC class I molecules are expressed on the cell surface of all nucleated cells and present peptides derived from intracellular proteins to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which then eliminate virally infected cells. However, many viruses have evolved proteins to inhibit the MHC class I pathway, thus enabling virally infected cells to escape CTL lysis. In this review, we summarize recent findings about viral inhibition of the MHC class I pathway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK

    Eric W. Hewitt BSc, PhD & Gillian E. Dugan BSc

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  1. Eric W. Hewitt BSc, PhD
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  2. Gillian E. Dugan BSc
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Hewitt, E.W., Dugan, G.E. Virus subversion of protective immunity. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 4, 365–370 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-004-0085-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-004-0085-2

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