[Protective activity of vaccinia virus envelope proteins isolated using nonionic detergents]

Several detergents and chemical compounds--Tweens 40, 60, 80, Triton X-100, Triton WR-1340, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, urea, n-butyl, MESK, and combinations thereof were used for the isolation of surface proteins of vaccinia virus. Optimal conditions for the treatment of the virus with detergents were selected, permitting isolation of vaccinia virus surface proteins p35 and p61. Mouse experiments yielded data on the protective properties of the isolated proteins. Protein p35 may turn to be one of the major proteins responsible for the formation of protective immunity in vaccination with vaccinia virus.