Human papillomavirus 16E6 suppresses major histocompatibility complex class I by upregulating lymphotoxin expression in human cervical cancer cells

► Effect of lymphotoxin (LT) on major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) expression was examined in HPV-infected cervical cancer cells. ► E6 oncogene from HPV16, but not HPV18, suppressed MHC I expression. ► HPV16E6 upregulated the expression of LT and its receptor, LTβR. ► HPV16E6-mediated MHC I suppression occurs via the LT signaling pathway.