Cytomegalovirus MHC class I homologues and natural killer cells: an overview

Viruses that establish a persistent infection with their host have evolved numerous strategies to evade the immune system. Consequently, they are usef ul tools to dissect the complex cellular processes that comprise the immune response. Rapid progress has been made in recent years in defining the rol e of cellular MHC class I molecules in regulating the response of natural k iller (NK) cells. Concomitantly, the roles of the MHC class I homologues en coded by human and mouse cytomegaloviruses in evading or subverting NK cell responses has received considerable interest. This review discusses the re sults from a number of studies that have pursued the biological function of the viral MHC class I homologues. Based on the evidence from these studies , hypotheses for the possible role of these intriguing molecules are presen ted. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.