Fusion between uninfected cells in retrovirus-induced fusion-from-within.

We previously examined Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced fusion-from-within (FFWI) and fusion-from-without (FFWO) of SC-1 mouse cells. FFWI and FFWO can be distinguished by their stimulation by ionophores and polycations, respectively. FFWI is caused by infected cells. Normally, fusion between an infected cell and uninfected cells (heterofusions) is described, but we have surprisingly found that the infected cells also caused homofusion between uninfected cells in their vicinity (named neighbor homofusions). It was shown that neighbor homofusions were not induced by free virus particles (by FFWO). Transfectants expressing envelope proteins only induced heterofusions, indicating that virus production is necessary for the formation of neighbor homofusions. Both plasma membrane fragments and easily removable material from the surface of infected cells were able to induce fusion with the same stimulation pattern as FFWI and neighbor homofusion. These materials, especially the latter, have properties in common with virions, and it is discussed whether immature virions are involved in the formation of the neighbor homofusions.