Herpes simplex type I fraction vaccine and process for its preparation

Claim 2

A herpes simplex type 1 subunit vaccine prepared by the process comprising extracting cells infected with herpes simplex type 1 virus with urea while the cells are attached to the growth surface, clarifying the extract, concentrating the extract, and treating the extract to remove substantially all DNA.

Claim 3

A vaccine according to Claim 1 wherein the urea has a concentration of from about 2M to about 8M.

Claim 4

A vaccine according to Claim 1 wherein the urea extract is clarified by centrifugation or filtration.

Claim 5

A vaccine according to Claim 1 wherein the clarified extract is concentrated by filtration.

Claim 6

A vaccine according to Claim 1 wherein DNA is removed by treatment with an enzyme which DNA is removed by treatment with an enzyme which degrades DNA.

Claim 7

A vaccine according to Claim 5 wherein the enzyme is DNase.

Claim 8

A vaccine according to Claim 1 wherein the extract after removal of DNA is gel chromatographed.

Claim 9

A vaccine according to Claim 7 wherein the fractions at void volume are pooled and sterile filtered.

Claim 10

A vaccine according to Claim 8 wherein the fractions are sonicated before filtering.

Claim 11

A herpes simplex type 1 vaccine comprising an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic antigen haveing a molecular weight greater than 1 X 10 6 daltons and comprising about 5 or 6 bands having minimum molecular weight greater than 68,000 daltons, the antigen being substantially free of glycoprotein and of DNA, and containing from about 0.1 to about 0.7 µg carbohydrate per 1 ug of protein and containing one lipid band having a molecular weight between about 60,000 and about 70,000 daltons, and a physiologically acceptable diluent.

Claim 12

A herpes simplex type 1 vaccine comprising an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic antigen haveing a molecular weight greater than 1 X 10 6 daltons and comprising about 5 or 6 bands having minimum molecular weight greater than 68,000 daltons, the antigen being substantially free of glycoprotein and of DNA, and containing from about 0.1 to about 0.7 µg carbohydrate per 1 ug of protein and containing one lipid band having a molecular weight between about 60,000 and about 70,000 daltons, and a physiologically acceptable diluent.

Claim 13

A process for preparing a herpes simplex type 1 subunit vaccine comprising extracting cells infected with herpes simplex type 1 virus with urea while the cells are attached to the growth surface, clarifying the extract, concentrating the extract; and treating the extract to remove substantially all DNA.

Claim 14

A process for preparing a herpes simplex type 1 subunit vaccine comprising extracting cells infected with herpes simplex type 1 virus with urea while the cells are attached to the growth surface, clarifying the extract, concentrating the extract; and treating the extract to remove substantially all DNA.