Lack of MHC class I complex expression has no effect on spread and control of cytomegalovirus infection in vivo (original) (raw)

It has been claimed that MHC class I proteins serve as receptors for murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and that this interaction is the most important mechanism for virus entry in most cells. This claim is based on the observation that the MHC haplotype contributes to the susceptibility to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in vivo. Results from in vitro studies support the concept that stable expression of correctly folded MHC class I molecules contributes to infection, since the individual properties of MHC class I alleles, the availability offl2microglobulin (fl2m) and also the degree of peptide charging of the MHC class I heavy chain fl2m heterodimers determined the infection phenotype of cell lines.