Reduction in CD1d expression on dendritic cells and macrophages by an acute virus infection.

Mice were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to determine if changes in CD1d expression occurred during an acute virus infection. It is interesting that a decrease in CD1d expression on splenic dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (MPhi) was observed for at least 3 months post-LCMV infection, and vaccinia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus induced similar changes in CD1d upon infection with those viruses. The reduction of CD1d cell-surface expression on DC and MPhi was independent of interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 expression but partially recovered in transporter associated with antigen processing-1-deficient mice, suggesting that CD8+ T cells may play a role. Thus, one consequence of the induction of a cellular immune response is a change in CD1d expression, which may constitute a key element in regulating antiviral immunity.