title: Development of subunit preparations of cytomegalovirus antigen by aqueous extraction for immunization against cytomegalovirus infection.
abstract: This study has examined different methods of preparation of a subunit vaccine from cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected MRC cells in terms of protein and DNA content, antigenicity and immunogenicity. Two preparations have been developed where CMV proteins were obtained by extraction of infected cells with water. Virus particles were removed from the preparations by ultracentrifugation and residual virus was inactivated by formaldehyde in the WUF preparations or by chloroform in the WUCh preparations. The preparations contained CMV proteins which may play a role in protective immune responses, and the preparations were antigenic as determined by immunodiffusion, ELISA and immunoblotting. Immunogenicity as evaluated in rabbits indicated that the preparations stimulated neutralizing and immunoprecipitating antibody. These results suggest that the gentle method of water extraction of viral antigens may be a useful protocol for vaccine preparation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Billstrom
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buchan
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002460:Cell Line; D002725:Chloroform / Q000494:pharmacology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011817:Rabbits; D012449:Safety; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002725:Chloroform