Regulation of MHC Class I by Dengue Virus

Despite aggressive efforts in dengue research, the control of dengue diseases and discovery of therapeutics against them await complete elucidation of its complex immune-pathogenesis. Virtually all mammalian cells express surface major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC Class I) molecules which are crucial for immune recognition and MHC-restricted cytolysis as part of the adaptive immune response. In contrast to many viruses that escape this host s immune responses by suppressing the MHC Class I pathway, infections by Flaviviruses, such West Nile virus, have been associated with a virus-specific increase of these antigen-presenting molecules. This study presents evidence of MHC Class I gene modulation by dengue virus, hence providing a better understanding of dengue immunopathogenesis that would consequently facilitate the discovery of antiviral therapeutics against dengue.

Autorentext

The author received her Doctor of Philosophy, majoring in Molecular Biology in 2011 from the University of Malaya. She is an active member of the Drug Design and Development Research Group and is currently working as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.