The HCMV gene function targeting MICA maps to the US18–22 gene locus.

<p>A. Fibroblasts (HF-TERTs) were mock infected or infected with HCMV parent virus or a series of ‘block’ deletion mutants for 72 h. Cell surface expression of MICA was analyzed by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Results shown are the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) and are representative of two independent experiments. B. Fibroblasts (HF-TERTs) were mock infected or infected with HCMV parent virus or a deletion mutant lacking US18–22 (ΔUS18–22) for 72 h. Hydrophobic proteins were extracted using Triton X-114 and protein expression analyzed by immunoblotting. Data shown is representative of three independent experiments. C. Fibroblasts (HF-TERTs) were mock infected or infected with HCMV or a deletion mutant lacking US18–22 (ΔUS18–22) for 72 h. Cell surface expression was analyzed by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Results shown are the median fluorescent intensity (MFI) and from three independent experiments. The mean of the results was analysed by Student's t-test (*<i>P</i><0.05, **<i>P</i><0.01, ***<i>P</i><0.001).