Herpesviruses Placating the Unwilling Host: Manipulation of the MHC Class II Antigen Presentation Pathway

• Main Authors: Martin Rowe, Jianmin Zuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-08-01
• Series: Viruses
• Subjects: herpes viruses; MHC class II; CD4 T cell; immune evasion
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/4/8/1335

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.