Multi-targeted loss of the antigen presentation molecule MR1 during HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection

Authors:

• Samer, Carolyn
• McWilliam, Hamish E.G.
• McSharry, Brian P.
• Velusamy, Thilaga
• Burchfield, James G.
• Stanton, Richard J.
• Tscharke, David C.
• Rossjohn, Jamie
• Villadangos, Jose A.
• Abendroth, Allison
• Slobedman, Barry

Details:

iScience, Volume 27, Issue 2, 2024-02-16

Article Link: Click here

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC), Class-I-related (MR1) molecule presents microbiome-synthesized metabolites to Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, present at sites of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. During HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infection there is a profound and rapid loss of MR1, in part due to expression of unique short 3 protein. Here we show that virion host shutoff RNase protein downregulates MR1 protein, through loss of MR1 transcripts. Furthermore, a third viral protein, infected cell protein 22, also downregulates MR1, but not classical MHC-I molecules. This occurs early in the MR1 trafficking pathway through proteasomal degradation. Finally, HSV-2 infection results in the loss of MR1 transcripts, and intracellular and surface MR1 protein, comparable to that seen during HSV-1 infection. Thus HSV coordinates a multifaceted attack on the MR1 antigen presentation pathway, potentially protecting infected cells from MAIT cell T cell receptor-mediated detection at sites of primary infection and reactivation.