Increased ability of human embryonic fibroblasts to accumulate Ca2+ due to cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus infection of fibroblasts enhances the ability of these cells to accumulate Ca2+. This functional alteration precedes the development of the cytopathic effect, and it is proposed that increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration may initiate the rounding phenomenon. Changes in the aggregative behaviour and the antigenicity of the infected cells were seen to accompany this functional alteration.