Haemagglutinin quantification and identification of influenza A&B strains propagated in PER.C6 cells: a novel RP-HPLC method

Vaccine. 2006 Apr 12;24(16):3137-44. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.01.046. Epub 2006 Feb 6.

Abstract

The major antigenic determinant of influenza A and B virus is haemagglutinin (HA). The HA content is an important specification of influenza vaccines. HA in vaccines has typically been quantified by single-radial-immunodiffusion (SRID). However, SRID is a laborious and low throughput assay. Moreover, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision, especially for non-purified (in-process) influenza virus is relatively low. We present a novel method for quantification of HA in influenza viral cultures as well as for the identification of HA from individual influenza strains in trivalent vaccines. The method is based on the separation of HA(1), the hydrophilic subunit of HA, from the more hydrophobic viral and matrix components by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The HA(1) peak area is demonstrated to be proportional to the level of HA in non-purified, semi-purified and purified vaccine products of various epidemic and pandemic influenza A and B strains propagated in PER.C6((R)) cell cultures. The RP-HPLC assay selectivity allows for the simultaneous identification and quantification of HA(1) from influenza A and B strains in the yearly revised trivalent vaccines for epidemic outbreaks.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / analysis*
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / classification*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / chemistry*
  • Influenza B virus / chemistry*
  • Influenza Vaccines / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Protein Subunits