Changes in the Surface of Virus-Infected Cells Recognized by Cytotoxic T Cells

Infection of cells with either ectromelia or lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) inhibited by up to 70% the extent to which the infected cells become susceptible to virus-specific cell-mediated lysis. The concentration of 2-DOG used had little effect on the extent of total protein synthesis (incorporation of [35S] methionine) but inhibited (up to 25%) glycoprotein synthesis, as measured by incorporation of [3H] fucose. This suggested that glycoprotein synthesis was a necessary event for infected cells to become susceptible to T-cell mediated lysis. The profiles (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) of newly synthesized, cellular glycoproteins from unifected and ectromelia-infected cells in the presence and absence of 2-DOG were compared and found to be very complex, with only minor changes. However, when convalescent serum from infected mice was used to isolate newly synthesized components from the cell surface shortly after infection, it showed four main species ranging in size from 25,000 to 70,000 daltons. 2-DOG inhibited production of these by 70%, thus corresponding to the biological data. The nature of the new glycoproteins seen in infected cells and whether they are in fact the structures recognized by effector T cells remain to be determined.     

Pulmonary calcification and elastic tissue damage in pseudoxanthoma elasticum

A case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum with extensive calcification and elastic tissue damage in the lung is described. This patient had classical skin changes, peripheral arterial calcification, and heart block, but no retinal changes. Hypercalcemia was excluded. Pulmonary involvement is in keeping with the concept of the basic abnormality being in the elastic fibres, and such involvement should be considered as a cause of respiratory symptoms in patients with this condition.