Virion antigens introduced exogeneously into the cell membrane render syngeneic target cells susceptible for T cell-mediated cytolysis.

Non-infectious sendai virus renders H-2 matched target cells susceptible to the lytic effect of sendai virus immune cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This observation suggests that exogeneous insertion of virion antigen in the membrane of the target cell is sufficient for T cell cytotoxicity. The finding is incompatible with the concept that H-2K or H-2D gene products of the target cells must be altered in their primary structure (pretranslational effect of the virus infection) for T cell-mediated cytolysis to occur.