Regulation of H-2 class I gene expression in virally transformed and infected cells.

Early studies of the resistance and susceptibility of mouse strains to radiation-induced leukemia virus have demonstrated the important role of altered histocompatibility (H-2) antigen expression in the effectiveness of the immune response of the host to virus-infected and transformed cells. Changes in H-2 gene expression have now been correlated with disease resistance in a variety of viral systems. The experiments discussed indicate that viruses may directly or indirectly affect H-2 antigen expression at various levels of gene expression. These investigations generate a framework for approaching a molecular understanding of viral-induced changes in H-2 gene expression.