Appearance of IgG (Fc) receptor(s) on cultured human fibroblasts infected with human cytomegalovirus

Abstract

Cultured human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38) after infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV) but not when uninfected, could hemadsorb sheep red blood cells (SRBC) coated with rabbit anti-SRBC IgG. The adsorption of IgG-coated SRBC to virus-infected cells was completely abolished if the tests were carried out in the simultaneous presence of rabbit antiserum elicited against CMV. Normal sera of rabbit or human origin as well as purified human IgG but not Fab fragment of human IgG could also abolish the binding of sensitized SRBC to CMV-infected fibroblasts. Active metabolism on the part of CMV-infected fibroblasts proved to be an important requisite for demonstrating binding of sensitized SRBC to their surfaces. By using an indicator Staphylococcus aureus to which rabbit antiserum against normal human IgG, IgM, or IgA was bound via Fc fragments, evidence has been obtained which suggests the existence of receptor(s) on CMV-infected WI-38 cells that react specifically with Fc region of human IgG.