Role of hemolytic factors of Sendai virus on human erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

In order to establish whether the hemolytic activity of Sendai virus might be related to changes of the membrane fluidity of sensitive cells, membrane fluidity variations have been recorded in human erythrocytes ghosts in the presence of Sendai and PR 8 viral particles. A decrease of membrane fluidity is elicited by Sendai and Pr 8 virions and by non hemolytic Sendai virus after trypsinization; the effect on membrane fluidity of sendai virus is strongly reduced after pyridine treatment which abolishes hemolytic action.