Down-regulation of human leukocyte antigen class I and II and beta 2-microglobulin expression in human herpesvirus-7-infected cells.
Human herpesvirus (HHV)-7 is a ubiquitous virus that infects >90% of adults. We show that HHV-7 impairs beta2-microglobulin and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II expression in lymphoid cells in vitro. Accordingly, infected cells were more sensitive to peripheral blood natural cytotoxic activity than were uninfected cells. Analysis of beta2-microglobulin and HLA expression in biopsy specimens from human submandibular glands confirmed the ability of HHV-7 to modulate the expression of these antigens in vivo. We demonstrate that the down-modulation of HLA by HHV-7 is linked to viral replication and is not merely a consequence of the interaction of virions with the cell surface. Infected cells can therefore efficiently escape host immune pressure, which might explain the persistence of HHV-7-positive cells in several kinds of tumors and chronic infectious diseases.
Mirandola
Prisco
P
Human Anatomy Section, Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
Sponzilli
Ivonne
I
Solenghi
Elvira
E
Micheloni
Cristina
C
Rinaldi
Laura
L
Gobbi
Giuliana
G
Vitale
Marco
M
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014779:Virus Replication; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D014764:Viral Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin