HLA-A11 epitope loss isolates of Epstein-Barr virus from a highly A11+ population.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) control viral infections by recognizing viral peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A11-restricted CTLs that recognize peptide residues 416 to 424 of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen-4 frequently dominate EBV-induced responses in A11+ Caucasian donors. This epitope is conserved in type A EBV strains from Caucasians and central African populations, where A11 is relatively infrequent. However, strains from highly A11+ populations in New Guinea carry a lysine-to-threonine mutation at residue 424 that abrogates CTL recognition and binding of the peptide to nascent A11 molecules. The results suggest that evolution of a widespread and genetically stable virus such as EBV is influenced by pressure from MHC-restricted CTL responses.
de Campos-Lima
P O
PO
Department of Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Gavioli
R
R
Zhang
Q J
QJ
Wallace
L E
LE
Dolcetti
R
R
Rowe
M
M
Rickinson
A B
AB
Masucci
M G
MG
D000349:Africa; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D005787:Gene Frequency; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009512:New Guinea; D017354:Point Mutation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection; D044465:White People
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen