Cell membrane-associated measles virus components inhibit antigen processing.
Measles virus (MV)-induced immune suppression is an important reason for MV-associated mortality and morbidity. Despite numerous studies, the mechanisms of immune suppression still remain poorly defined. In the present study we analyzed the effect of MV components on the T-cell recognition of specific non-MV antigens. We demonstrated that even inactivated MV could inhibit the presentation of unprocessed protein antigen to specific T cells, whereas MV did not affect the responses of specific T cells to representative synthetic peptide epitopes derived from complex antigens. The inhibition was induced by MV-infected cell membranes. The kinetics of the MV-dependent inhibition suggested an impaired antigen processing in mononuclear cells as addition of MV-infected cell debris 4 h after the beginning of cell cultures no longer inhibited T-cell responsiveness.
Marttila
J
J
Department of Virology, Turku Immunology Centre, University of Turku, Finland. jane.marttila@utu.fi
Hinkkanen
A
A
Ziegler
T
T
Vainionpää
R
R
Salmi
A
A
Ilonen
J
J
D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000821:virology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007700:Kinetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D010455:Peptides