Host shutoff during productive Epstein-Barr virus infection is mediated by BGLF5 and may contribute to immune evasion.
Relatively little is known about immune evasion during the productive phase of infection by the gamma(1)-herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The use of a unique system to isolate cells in lytic cycle allowed us to identify a host shutoff function operating in productively EBV-infected B cells. This impairment of protein synthesis results from mRNA degradation induced upon expression of the early lytic-cycle gene product BGLF5. Recently, a gamma(2)-herpesvirus, Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus, has also been shown to encode a host shutoff function, indicating that host shutoff appears to be a general feature of gamma-herpesviruses. One of the consequences of host shutoff is a block in the synthesis of HLA class I and II molecules, reflected by reduced levels of these antigen-presenting complexes at the surface of cells in EBV lytic cycle. This effect could lead to escape from T cell recognition and elimination of EBV-producing cells, thereby allowing generation of viral progeny in the face of memory T cell responses.
Rowe
Martin
M
Division of Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham Medical School, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
Glaunsinger
Britt
B
van Leeuwen
Daphne
D
Zuo
Jianmin
J
Sweetman
David
D
Ganem
Don
D
Middeldorp
Jaap
J
Wiertz
Emmanuel J H J
EJ
Ressing
Maaike E
ME
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000276:immunology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D014764:Viral Proteins; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; C083203:deoxyribonuclease, Epstein-Barr virus