'Phagocytosis' of sendai virus by model membranes.

Sendai viruses were attached to liposomes (vesicular model membranes) at 0 to 4 degrees C, and were then incubated at 37 degrees C. Liposomes made of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and gangliosides enveloped the viruses at 37 degrees C to give a picture that resembles the ingestion step of phagocytosis. Virus particles were enveloped only by liposomes that contained gangliosides which serve as Sendai virus receptors.