Reovirus 1 and 3 bind and internalise at the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells.

Displacement of [125I]reovirus from the surface of L cells by homologous and heterologous reovirus serotypes has indicated the presence of two different receptors. Corresponding experiments with Caco-2 cells and apical membrane vesicles suggest either two different receptors or different affinity of each reovirus serotype for the same receptor. Binding and internalisation of reovirus at the apical surface of Caco-2 cells and apical membrane vesicles has been demonstrated and the implications of this for models of reovirus infectivity in the intestine are discussed.