Selective incorporation of H–2 antigenic determinants into Friend virus particles

Abstract

IN susceptible mice, Friend murine leukaemia virus (FV) produces fatal erythroleukaemia¹ characterised by rapid onset of splenomegaly and viraemia in 4–5 d and leading to the death of the animal in as little as 3–4 weeks. In the replication of this enveloped, C-type RNA virus, assembly occurs at the surface of infected cells where the particles mature by budding². We have examined the question of whether host cell surface glycoproteins are incorporated into the virion as the host cell membrane becomes part of the completed particle during the budding process. In particular, serologically identifiable alloantigens governed by the H–2K and H–2D genes of the major histocompatibility complex and found on cell surfaces have been sought in lysates of serum-derived FV.