Regulation of immune recognition molecules by flavivirus, West Nile

We have shown the flaviviruses can up-regulate the cell surface expression of the immune recognition molecules, major histocompatability complex class-I and class-II (MHC-I, MHC-II), ICAM-I, VCAM, and E-selectin, in an interferon-independent and tumor necrosis factor-independent manner. This up-regulation is associated with an increased transcription of the relevant genes and is due to activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B. The level of up-regulation is determined in part by the cell cycle position of the cell when infected with the flavivirus, as quiescent cells show a greater increase in the level of expression of the immune recognition molecules, MHC-I and ICAM-1, than cells in other phases of the cell cycle. The resultant increased cell surface expression is functional with the increased expression resulting in increased recognition by flavivirus-specific and allo-specific cytotoxic T cells.