THE THIRD STEP: The mixing of COS-env cells + U87-CD4-CCR5 cells

The two cell types are mixed together. WHY? to permit gp120 to bind to CD4 and CCR5

A transitional intermediate of gp41 forms, protrudes from the COS-env cell surface, and inserts into the U87-CD4-CCR5 cell membrane.

New epitopes specific regions on the surface of an antigen against which antibodies are formed on gp 41 are probably formed or exposed at this time while other neo-epitopes may also be formed on gp 120, perhaps dependent on the altered quaternary structure of the oligomeric glycoprotein complex.

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