Alkaline-extracted influenza subunit vaccine

Treatment of influenza virus concentrates with alkaline solvents releases a major fraction of the viral structural protein content. As determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the surface glycoprotein substructures, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, are the primary solubilized products. Two forms of hemagglutinin antigen are recovered, a 39S active hemagglutinin and a 23S blocking antigen. Dose-response assays in mice demonstrate that hemagglutination-inhibiting and neuraminidase antibodies are induced. Antibody responses are comparable to those resulting from immunization with inactivated whole virus. On the basis of demonstrated purity, high yields of protective antigens, immunogenic potency, and absence of deleterious reagents, alkaline-extracted influenza protein preparations merit consideration as subunit vaccines for human use.