Towards a subunit influenza vaccine prepared by affinity chromatography on immobilized lectin.

Disintegration of influenza virions with 0.2% w/v sodium deoxycholate releases haemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which in the presence of detergent are both adsorbed to the lectin from Crotalaria juncea, coupled to Sepharose 2B. The binding is mediated through galactosyl residues on haemagglutinin and neuralminidase, which are completely displaced in 0.2 Μ lactose and co-elute in a narrow zone. The immunogenicity of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase in mice is markedly increased after adsorption onto lipid, particles constituting “intralipid” (Kabi Vitrum, Stocholm, Sweden).