Mature dendritic cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 exhibit inhibited T-cell stimulatory capacity

Mature dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells wi thin the entire immune system. Interference with the function of these cell s therefore constitutes a very powerful mechanism for viruses to escape imm une responses. Several members of the Herpesviridae family have provided ex amples of such escape strategies, including interference with antigen prese ntation and production of homologous cytokines, In this study we investigat ed the infection of mature DC with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the way in which infection alters the phenotype and function of mature DC. Interestingly, the T-cell-stimulatory capacity of these DC was strongly imp aired, Furthermore, we demonstrated that HSV-1 leads to the specific degrad ation of CD83, a cell surface molecule which is specifically upregulated du ring DC maturation. These data indicate that HSV-1 has developed yet anothe r novel mechanism to escape immune responses.