Cell Surface Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecules Is Reduced in Hepatitis C Virus Subgenomic Replicon-Expressing Cells

AUTOR(ES)

Tardif, Keith D.

FONTE

American Society for Microbiology

RESUMO

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis in most infected individuals by evading host immune defenses. In this investigation, we show that HCV-infected cells may go undetected in the immune system by suppressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cells expressing HCV subgenomic replicons have lower MHC class I cell surface expression. This is due to reduced levels of properly folded MHC class I molecules. HCV replicons induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (K. Tardif, K. Mori, and A. Siddiqui, J. Virol. 76:7453-7459, 2002), which results from a decline in protein glycosylation. Decreasing protein glycosylation can disrupt protein folding, preventing the assembly of MHC class I molecules. This results in the accumulation of unfolded MHC class I. Therefore, the persistence and pathogenesis of HCV may depend upon the ER stress-mediated interference of MHC class I assembly and cell surface expression.

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