Antigen presentation pathway (virus-infected host cell)

The antigen presentation pathway in virus-infected host cells is a critical component of the immune system’s ability to detect and respond to intracellular pathogens. In this pathway, viral proteins synthesized in the host cell are processed by the proteasome into peptides. These peptides are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum and loaded onto MHC class I molecules, which then migrate to the cell surface. Here, the peptide-MHC complexes can be recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, initiating an immune response that eliminates infected cells. Viruses frequently interfere with various steps of this pathway to evade immune recognition. The pathway’s proper function is essential for antiviral immunity, as well as relevant in cancer, autoimmunity, and immune-based therapies.

Other names

Antigen presentation pathwayMHC-mediated antigen presentationViral antigen presentation