Epstein-Barr virus transactivates the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 that encodes a superantigen.
Immunity
; 15(4): 579-89, 2001 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11672540
ABSTRACT
Superantigens (SAgs) are proteins produced by pathogenic microbes to elicit potent, antigen-independent T cell responses that are believed to enhance the microbes' pathogenicity. Here we show that the human lymphotropic herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transcriptionally activates the env gene of an endogenous retrovirus, HERV-K18, that possesses SAg activity. SAg activity was demonstrated by MHC class II dependent preferential activation of TCRVB13 T cells in response to murine B cells transfected with the HERV-K18 env gene. This is a unique demonstration of a pathogen inducing a host-encoded Sag and accounts for the previously described EBV associated Sag activity. The T cell activation elicited by the Sag could play a central role in EBV infection and associated diseases.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Produtos do Gene env
/
Superantígenos
/
Herpesvirus Humano 4
/
Retrovirus Endógenos
/
Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Immunity
Assunto da revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos