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Cytomegalovirus e127 protein interacts with the inhibitory CD200 receptor

Mildred Foster-Cuevas1, Tina Westerholt, Mohamed Ahmed

  • 1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom.

Journal of Virology
|April 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Rat cytomegalovirus (e127) mimics host CD200 protein, binding the CD200 receptor on myeloid cells. This viral mimic may suppress immune responses against the virus.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • CD200 is a cell surface glycoprotein that regulates immune responses by binding its inhibitory receptor, CD200R, primarily expressed on myeloid cells.
  • Viral CD200 orthologues have been identified in various viruses, suggesting potential roles in host-pathogen interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of the rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) CD200 orthologue, designated e127.
  • To determine if the RCMV e127 protein can bind to the host CD200 receptor and mimic the function of host CD200.

Main Methods:

  • Expression analysis of RCMV e127 on infected cells.
  • Binding assays to assess the affinity of RCMV e127 for host CD200R.
  • Comparison of binding affinity between RCMV e127 and host CD200.

Main Results:

  • The RCMV e127 protein is expressed at the cell surface of RCMV-infected cells.
  • RCMV e127 binds to the host CD200R with an affinity comparable to that of the host CD200 protein.
  • This suggests e127 acts as a functional mimic of host CD200.

Conclusions:

  • The RCMV CD200 orthologue (e127) effectively mimics host CD200.
  • This viral mimicry has the potential to downregulate host immune responses, facilitating viral persistence.

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