Paramyxovirus induced cell fusion. Hemagglutination and hemolysis is enhanced by methylphenidate.

The influence of methylphenidate (MP) upon cell fusion, hemagglutination and hemolysis induced by paramyxovirus was evaluated in vitro. A direct correlation between MP concentrations (range 40 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml) and hemagglutination and hemolysis induced by Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was found. Furthermore, MP (500 micrograms/ml) increased formation of the syncytia by LPM paramyxovirus in PK-15 cells. It is fair to speculate that MP leads to activation of the F and/or HN proteins in paramyxovirus by mechanisms other than proteolytic cleavage.