Persistent viral infection elevates central nervous system MHC class I through chronic production of interferons.

ABSTRACT: Persistence of even the stealthiest viruses can perturb immune function either to the benefit or detriment of the host. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) establishes lifelong, systemic persistence when introduced in utero or at birth. Despite a highly evolved host-pathogen relationship, LCMV cannot escape detection by the innate immune system, which results in chronic stimulation of the type 1 IFN pathway in adult carrier mice. In this study we demonstrate that IFN-beta is chronically up-regulated in peripheral lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues (but not the CNS) of mice persistently infected from birth with LCMV and that dendritic cells (DCs) represent at least one source of IFN-beta. Interestingly, chronic stimulation of this innate pathway significantly elevated MHC class I expres

SUBMITTER: Truong P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5001847 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature