The influence of the isolation technique of influenza virus nucleoprotein on its antigenic properties

ELISA has been used to study the antigenic properties 1. of influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP-1) isolated from virions with the help of preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE); 2. of virion ribonucleoprotein (NP-2), and 3. of NP structures prepared by dissociation of ribonucleoprotein into RNA and protein in sucrose gradient containing NaCl (NP-3). The investigation of immunologic cross-reactivity has shown complete identity of NP-2 and NP-3 and their striking difference from NP-1. In contrast to NP-2, NP-3 was not contaminated by other virus antigens, it was a good immunogen and could be used for preparation of monospecific antisera of high titre. NP-1 did not induce a high antibody response,however, like NP-2 and NP-3, it retained its capacity to react with antisera to native virus. Owing to its simple production and high yield, this protein can be used in serodiagnosis for testing the antibody level against NP-protein in convalescent sera.