Preparation and Properties of Immune-stimulating Complexes Containing Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen

Abstract

SUMMARYImmune-stimulating complexes (iscoms) have been prepared containing the major S gene products (HBsAg) of the hepatitis B virus genome. Immunization of BALB/c mice with a single dose of hepatitis B iscoms in saline resulted in a high titre antibody response to HBsAg. In contrast, the original HBsAg preparation required an adjuvant to produce equivalent amounts of antibody. Analysis of sera from mice immunized with hepatitis B iscoms revealed antibodies directed against the major a determinants of HBsAg. High secondary antibody responses were observed in immunized animals previously inoculated with a sub-immunogenic dose of HBsAg indicating that hepatitis B iscoms may represent a suitable immunogen for use in individuals in whom a course of immunization with currently licensed hepatitis B vaccines has failed to produce a significant anti-HBs response.

The iscom structure as an immune-enhancing moiety: experience with viral systems

“…Alum was required as an ad-CHARACTERISTICS AND USE OF NE W-GENERA TION ADJUVANTS 535 juvant to enhance immunogenicity of these particles. Immunization of mice with iscoms containing HBsAg derived from yeast generated high levels of HBVspecific antibodies (Howard et al, 1987).…”

“…Quil A is a necessary constituent of the iscom structure. The size and morAntigen nature Name Mowatt et al, 1991a/b Lovgren et al, 1987Erturk et al, 1989Trudel et al, 1987, 1988Wahren et al, 1987Tsuda et al, 1991Morgan et al, 1988Howard et al, 1987Trudel et al, 1988Carlson et al, 1991De Vries et al, 1988aDe Vries et al, 1988bVisser et al, 1989Trudel et al, 1989Trudel et al, 1992Fedaku et al, 1992Jones et al, 1988Merza et al, 1991Osterhaus et al, 1992Takehashi et al, 1990Pyle et al, 1989Nagy et al, 1990Winter et al, 1988…”

Prevention of Epstein-Barr (EB) Virus-induced Lymphoma in Cottontop Tamarins by Vaccination with the EB Virus Envelope Glycoprotein gp340 Incorporated into Immune-stimulating Complexes

“…They combine the characteristics of multimeric presentation of antigen with an inbuilt adjuvant Sundquist et al, 1988) and vaccines utilizing these properties are now being developed, including a hepatitis B virus vaccine (Howard et al, 1987). Protective immunity has been obtained against feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in cats following vaccination with iscoms carrying the gp70/85 component of FeLV (Osterhaus et al, 1985).…”

Measles Virus Fusion Protein Presented in an Immune-stimulating Complex (Iscom) Induces Haemolysis-inhibiting and Fusion-inhibiting Antibodies, Virus-specific T Cells and Protection in Mice

“…A novel structure for the antigenic presentation of membrane proteins from enveloped viruses has been shown to be highly effective in inducing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses: the immune-stimulating complex (iscom) (Morein et al, 1984;Morein & Simons, 1985;Osterhaus et al, 1985;Wahren et al, 1987;Howard et al, 1987). It was demonstrated that MV membrane proteins presented in iscom form elicited not only VN and HI antibodies, but also (non-HI) HLI antibodies in rats (Morein et al, 1984).…”