[Immunogenicity of a subunit influenza vaccine in experiments on animals]

The data on isolation of purified influenza virus glycoproteins and their reconstruction into liposomes by means of a new nonionic detergent, MESK, are presented. Sedimentational and flotational distribution of glycoprotein and liposome preparations was studied. In the presence of the detergent, the isolated glycoproteins were shown to occur mostly in a monomeric form. Removal of the detergent by dialysis resulted in formation of protein micelles, and the presence of exogenously introduced lipids in reconstruction of liposomes heterogeneous in composition. The resulting preparations had a high degree of biochemical purity and biological activity meeting the requirements for subunit vaccine properties. The immunogenic potency of a subunit influenza vaccine produced with the use of the MESK detergent was studied. The glycoproteins isolated with the use of MESK were shown to be comparable in their immunogenic potency with glycoproteins comprising viral particles. The influence of the form of glycoproteins presentation on their immunogenic potency was studied. Glycoproteins in the form of micelles and as components of liposomes were found to have a good immunogenic potency and to be able to induce protective immunity preventing experimental influenza infection in mice. Monomeric forms of glycoproteins had no such properties.