Lifelong persistent infection by herpesviruses depends on the balance between host immune responses and viral immune evasion.CD4 T cells responding to antigens presented on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules are known to play an important role in controlling herpesvirus infections.Here we review, with emphasis on Suspension Kit human herpesvirus infections, the strategies evolved to evade CD4 T cell immunity.These viruses Primers target multiple points on the MHC class II antigen presentation pathway.
The mechanisms include: suppression of CIITA to inhibit the synthesis of MHC class II molecules, diversion or degradation of HLA-DR molecules during membrane transport, and direct targeting of the invariant chain chaperone of HLA-DR.