COMPARATIVE-STUDIES OF HSV-1 ANTIGENS SOLUBILIZED FROM INFECTED-CELLS BY USING NONIONIC OR ZWITTERIONIC DETERGENTS

HSV‐1 antigen preparations solubilised from Vero cells by using either the non‐ionic detergent Nonidet P40 or the zwitterionic detergent Empigen BB, and purified on sucrose density gradients or over a sucrose cushion, were tested by ELISA with anti‐HSV‐1 glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies and by radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) with polyclonal HSV‐1 antiserum. Amongst several proteins detected in these preparations, the four major HSV‐1 glycoproteins, gB, gC, gD, and gE, were found to be present. Differences between NP40 or Empigensolubilised HSV‐1 antigen preparations with respect to two of these glycoproteins, gB and gE, were detected by using a small panel of monoclonal antibodies. Comparative studies in mice showed the Empigen‐solubilised HSV‐1 antigen preparations elicited greater antibody responses and greater protection against lethal HSV‐1 challenge infection than the NP40‐solubilised preparation. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company