Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Immune Evasion Proteins to Inhibit MHC Class I Antigen Processing and Presentation

Abstract

Viral products inhibit MHC class I antigen processing and presentation via three major pathways: inhibition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression on cells, blockade of peptide trafficking and loading on MHC class I molecules, and inhibition of peptide generation in host cells. Viral products also interfere with IFN-γ -mediated JAK/STAT signal transduction in cells. These results imply that viral proteins probably inhibit the function of IFN-γ in MHC class I antigen presentation via inactivation of JAK/STAT signal transduction in host cells. Mechanisms of viral products to inhibit IFN-γ -mediated MHC class I antigen presentation were summarized in this literature review.

Keywords:

• viral immune evasion protein
• MHC class I antigen presentation
• IFN-γ
• JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway
• CTL epitope
• IRF-1