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. 2016 Nov 11:57–64. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-375156-0.00005-9

Table 5.2.

Viral Mechanisms for the Evasion of Natural Killer (NK) Cells

Mechanism of Action Examples Outcome
  • (1)

    Homologues of class 1 MHC

 Herpesviruses Bind to NK cell inhibitory receptor, Inhibit NK cytotoxicity
  • (2)

    Regulation of class I MHC expression on target cell

 Herpesviruses, SIV Inhibition of NK cytotoxicity
  • (3)

    Virus-coded protein interfering with NK cell-activating receptor/ligand interactions

 Herpesviruses, HIV, HTLV Inhibition of NK cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production
  • (4)

    Inhibition of NK cell-activating cytokine by binding cytokine or producing chemokine antagonist

 Herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, Inhibition of IFN-γ production, trafficking
  • (5)

    Direct effects of virions; e.g., block an inhibitory receptor, or directly infect NK cells; HCV E2 protein binds directly to CD81 on NK cell

 Herpesviruses, HIV Reduces NK cell activity