EBV and HHV-6 bind primarily to which cell surface marker?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) primarily bind to the CD21 cell surface marker on B cells. CD21, also known as complement receptor 2, is a receptor that plays a significant role in the immune response by facilitating the entry of these viruses into host cells.

Both viruses use CD21 as a cellular entry point, which is crucial for their pathogenesis. For instance, EBV is well-known for its involvement in infectious mononucleosis and its association with certain malignancies, and it relies on CD21 to infect B lymphocytes effectively. Meanwhile, HHV-6 can also exploit the same receptor, further affirming the significance of CD21 in these viral infections.

In contrast, the other markers listed do not serve as the primary receptors for EBV and HHV-6. CD46 is primarily used by other pathogens, including some strains of adenovirus and measles virus. CD54, also known as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), plays a role in cell adhesion and migration but is not the entry receptor for these particular viruses. CD3 is a critical component of the T-cell receptor complex and is involved in T-cell activation,