How a Virus Affects Immune Cell Recognition
Author Information
Author(s): Tokuyama Maria, Lorin Clarisse Delebecque, Frederic Jung, David H. Raulet, Laure Coscoy
Primary Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Hypothesis
Does the activation of the PI3K pathway during viral infection influence the expression of NKG2D ligands?
Conclusion
The study found that activation of the PI3K pathway is essential for the expression of the RAE-1 family of NKG2D ligands during viral infection.
Supporting Evidence
- RAE-1 expression was significantly induced in MCMV-infected fibroblasts.
- PI3K pathway activation was necessary for RAE-1 induction.
- Inhibition of the PI3K pathway blocked RAE-1 surface expression.
- RAE-1 induction occurred only in infected cells, not in neighboring uninfected cells.
- Viral gene expression was required for RAE-1 induction.
Takeaway
When a virus infects cells, it can change how those cells are recognized by the immune system. This study shows that a specific pathway in the cell, called the PI3K pathway, is important for this process.
Methodology
The researchers used mouse fibroblasts infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to study the expression of RAE-1 ligands and the role of the PI3K pathway.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on mouse models, which may not fully represent human responses.
Participant Demographics
Mouse fibroblasts were used in the experiments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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