Neuron
Volume 8, Issue 6, June 1992, Pages 1185-1190
Journal home page for Neuron

Article
Neuronal cells are deficient in loading peptides onto MHC class I molecules

https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(92)90138-4Get rights and content

Abstract

Virally infected neurons avoid destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by failing to express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Like neurons in vivo and in primary culture, the OBL21 neuronal cell line expressed barely detectable levels of MHC class I molecules. This correlated with very low levels of mRNAs for the MHC class I heavy chains (αC). OBL21 cells also fail to provide MHC class I molecules with the peptides necessary for their efficient assembly and transport to the cell surface. This function can be restored by treatment with interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The mRNA for peptide transporters HAM1 and HAM2 was not detectable in OBL21 neuronal cells, but was induced by IFN-γ treatment. Hence, the ability of neurons to evade CTL-mediated killing results from expression at low levels of the MHC class I αC, the peptide transporters HAM1 and HAM2, and possibly other genes of the peptide-loading machinery.

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    Present address: ICRF, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3LD, England.

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