Transfer of Epstein-Barr virus receptors to receptor-negative cells permits virus penetration and antigen expression.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) receptors were implanted into the membranes of receptor-negative cells, using Sendai virus envelopes as vehicles. The presence of the receptors in the target cell membrane was demonstrated by monitoring the fate of radioiodinated donor membranes. Receptors could be detected for at least 36 hr after implantation. [3H]Thymidine-labeled EBV bound efficiently to receptor-implanted cells but not to control cells. Binding was inhibited by an excess of nonlabeled virus. Of the [3H]thymidine-labeled EBV DNA, 50-75% was found inside the receptor-implanted, EBV-exposed cells 24 hr after the infection. The viral genome was functionally active in B lymphocyte-derived cell lines of human, murine, and baboon origin; in T lymphocyte-derived lines of human and murine origin; in mouse fibroblasts; and in freshly explanted mouse lymphocytes, as shown by the expression of EBV-determined nuclear, early, and viral capsid antigens.