Viral evasion of immunity Flashcards

1
Q

What is a key difference between internal virus proteins and surface antigens?

A

Internal viral proteins vary less

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2
Q

Describe the process of presentation of viral peptides on MHC Class I.

A
Viral peptides are chopped up by the proteasome 
These peptides are then fed through the TAP protein into the endoplasmic reticulum 
In the endoplasmic reticulum, it will be loaded onto an MHC class I molecule and it will then move to the cell surface where T cells can recognise the antigen
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3
Q

State three viruses (and the proteins involved) that evade antigen loading onto TAP.

A

EBV – EBNA1 – this cannot be chopped up by the proteasome
HSV – ICP47 – blocks access of the peptides to the TAP protein
CMV – US6 – blocks ATP binding to TAP

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4
Q

State two viruses (and the proteins involved) that modulate tapasin function and prevent MHC transport.

A

NOTE: tapasin is involved in loading MHC molecules

Adenovirus E3-19K – prevents recruitment of TAP to tapasin and retains MHC in the ER

CMV – US3 – binds to tapasin and prevents loading of peptides onto MHC

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5
Q

State one virus (and the protein involved) that interferes with MHC presentation at the cell surface.

A

KSHV (Kaposi Sarcoma Herpes Virus) – kK3 – induces polyubiquitination and internalisation of MHC

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6
Q

What do NK cells recognise on the cell surface that triggers killing of cells?

A

Missing self – lack of MHC on the cell membrane is not healthy

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7
Q

How do viruses evade the mechanism of NK-mediated killing infected cells?

A

Viruses encode MHC analogues (e.g. CMV gp UL40) – virally encoded MHC is useless but it fools the NK cells
Upregulate MHC

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8
Q

Which cells does HIV target?

A

CD4+ T cells

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9
Q

Which cells does Ebola kill?

A

Dendritic cells
Macrophages
T cells (by the bystander response)

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10
Q

In what subset of the population does HMCV (human cytomegalovirus) cause disease?

A

Immunocompromised

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11
Q

What is the problem with HCMV with regards to bone marrow transplantation?

A

HCMV infects 60-90% of the population

If HCMV is present in donated bone marrow, it could cause problems in the immunocompromised recipient

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12
Q

Explain how our knowledge about HCMV has allowed improved medical outcomes in bone marrow transplantation.

A

HCMV encodes UL138, which leads to loss of MRP-1 from the infected cell surface
MRP-1 is a transporter of toxic drugs out of the cell
Loss of MRP-1 leads to accumulation of certain molecules in the infected cell
Vincristine is a toxic drug that accumulates in the infected cells and kills them
So treating donated cells with vincristine before the transplant can eliminate CMV

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13
Q

What is antigenic drift?

A

Continued rapid evolution driven by antigenic pressure from the host

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14
Q

What is antigenic shift?

A

Introduction of new subtypes of the virus from an animal source

NOTE: when they come from an animal source, the antigens don’t look like anything that humans have seen before

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15
Q

How else can viruses cause regular infections without changing their antigen profile?

A

They can have several genetically stable serotypes that co-circulate
E.g. rhinovirus has more than 120 antigenically distinct serotypes

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16
Q

How many serotypes of influenza are there?

A

4

17
Q

How many serotypes of polio virus are there and what type of vaccine was produced for polio?

A

3 – trivalent vaccine

NOTE: one of the serotypes has been eradicated now

18
Q

What are the features of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

A
Leakage of plasma from capillaries leads to: 
Increased haematocrit 
Increased red cell count 
Decrease in protein 
Tendency to severe bruising and bleeding
19
Q

What is the treatment for DHF?

A

IV fluids

20
Q

How many serotypes of dengue are there?

A

4

21
Q

Explain the significance of the presence of multiple serotypes of dengue with regards to the pathogenesis of DHF.

A

Infection with one serotype will cause antibody production
Antibody generated against this serotype will bind to but NOT neutralise infection with another dengue serotype
This can lead to ANTIGEN DEPENDENT ENHANCEMENT (ADE) causing Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

22
Q

What can viruses do to glycoprotein antigens that hinder antibody access to the antigens?

A

Heavily glycosylate the antigens

23
Q

What does Ebola viruses have a high content of that makes them appear like apoptotic bodies?

A

Phosphatidyl serine lipids

24
Q

What is the benefit to Ebola virus of appearing like apoptotic bodies?

A

They are rapidly taken up by macropinocytosis and, hence, taken away from antibody surveillance

25
Q

How does the structure of Ebola affect antibody access to antigens?

A

Ebola has a long filamentous shape with lots of folds

The folds may make the glycoproteins inaccessible to antibody

26
Q

Name two factors produced by Ebola that allow it to evade detection by the innate immune system.

A

VP35

VP24

27
Q

What important factor does Ebola encode that also helps deal with the antibody response?

A

Soluble glycoprotein – this acts as an antibody decoy and it is immunosuppressive (inhibits neutrophils)

NOTE: GP2 and retrovirus glycoproteins also have an immunosuppressive peptide

28
Q

Which virus is only suppressive in macaques?

A

Reston virus

29
Q

How does Measles infect cells?

A

Via SLAM proteins (CD150)

30
Q

Why did the measles vaccine have a much larger effect on childhood mortality than expected?

A

Measles can infect memory lymphocytes (these are SLAM positive) and erase immunological memory
So a measles virus infection can result in a 2-3 year decrease in immunological memory that leads to morbidity and mortality from other diseases