Human cytomegalovirus entry into cells

► HCMV infect a broad spectrum of cells and entry into different cells involves different receptors, distinct pathways of entry, and the use of different gH/gL complexes: gH/gL and gH/gL/UL128-131.
► Entry into fibroblasts involves direct fusion with the plasma membrane whereas entry into epithelial and endothelial cells involves macropinocytosis followed by low pH-dependent fusion.
► The minimal fusion machinery is gB and gH/gL and these proteins will interact and fuse cells when expressed in apposing cell membranes.
► Previously described HCMV receptors characterized using lab strains do not describe gH/gL/UL128-131 dependent entry into epithelial and endothelial cells.