Virus-induced modifications in the immunogenicity of red blood cells

Studies of the immunogenicity of red blood cells (RBC) modified by interaction with viral agents show that measles hemagglutinin or adsorption-elution of influenza virus are able to induce modifications in the RBC immunogenicity, consisting in a depression of antibody synthesis and in a stimulation of the cell-mediated immune response. The modifications depend on the extent to which RBC-surface-bound viral antigens would mask the erythrocyte antigenic determinants.