Immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus: molecular interactions in the virus evasion of CD8+ T cell immunity

Persistent viruses have mechanisms for modulating the host immune responses that are essential for achieving a lifelong virus-host balance while minimizing the viral pathogenicity. Here we review some of the immune-modulating mechanisms evolved by the ubiquitous but potentially oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of genes interfering with HLA class I antigen presentation.