Rat cytomegalovirus induces a temporal downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I cell surface expression.
Herpesviruses are known to influence expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the surface of infected cells using a variety of mechanisms. Downregulation of MHC class I expression prohibits detection and elimination of infected cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. To investigate the effect of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection on MHC class I expression, we infected immortalized and primary rat fibroblasts with RCMV and monitored surface expression of MHC class I molecules at various time-points postinfection. These experiments revealed a downregulation of MHC class I surface expression by RCMV, a phenomenon that has also been reported for human and murine CMV. However, in contrast to the other cytomegaloviruses, RCMV causes only a temporal downregulation of MHC class I, with a maximal decrease at 12 h postinfection. Unlike murine and human CMV, RCMV does not induce proteolytic degradation of MHC class I molecules. In RCMV-infected cells, the MHC class I molecules are stable, but their exit from the ER is delayed.
Hassink
Gerco C
GC
Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Duijvestijn-van Dam
Joanne G
JG
Koppers-Lalic
Danijela
D
van Gaans-van den Brink
Jacqueline
J
van Leeuwen
Daphne
D
Vink
Cornelis
C
Bruggeman
Cathrien A
CA
Wiertz
Emmanuel J H J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000821:virology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018146:Muromegalovirus / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I