Viral immune evasion: Lessons in MHC class I antigen presentation

Michael L van de Weijer, Rutger D Luteijn, Emmanuel J H J Wiertz*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The MHC class I antigen presentation pathway enables cells infected with intracellular pathogens to signal the presence of the invader to the immune system. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are able to eliminate the infected cells through recognition of pathogen-derived peptides presented by MHC class I molecules at the cell surface. In the course of evolution, many viruses have acquired inhibitors that target essential stages of the MHC class I antigen presentation pathway. Studies on these immune evasion proteins reveal fascinating strategies used by viruses to elude the immune system. Viral immunoevasins also constitute great research tools that facilitate functional studies on the MHC class I antigen presentation pathway, allowing the investigation of less well understood routes, such as TAP-independent antigen presentation and cross-presentation of exogenous proteins. Viral immunoevasins have also helped to unravel more general cellular processes. For instance, basic principles of ER-associated protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway have been resolved using virus-induced degradation of MHC class I as a model. This review highlights how viral immunoevasins have increased our understanding of MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-37
Number of pages13
JournalSeminars in Immunology
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Evasion
  • Peptides/immunology
  • Viruses/immunology

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