Mechanism of hemagglutination by adenovirus types 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6

Fractionation of adenovirus materials by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose columns revealed two distinct hemagglutinating factors with elution peaks corresponding to those of antigens B and C previously described. Hemagglutination of rat erythrocytes by factor C requires the presence of a heterotypic virus antiserum in the system whereas factor B is capable of causing hemagglutination in the absence of such an antiserum. Hemagglutination by factor C results from adsorption of this factor to the red cell surface followed by agglutination by the heterotypic serum. Homotypic serum inhibits this reaction by removing the sensitizing antigen from the cell surface.