Biophysical studies of respiratory syncytial virus. II. Identification of two soluble complement-fixing antigens of respiratory syncytial virus.

Forsyth, Ben R. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), Helen V. Coates, and Robert M. Chanock. Biophysical studies of respiratory syncytial virus. II. Identification of two soluble complement-fixing antigens of respiratory syncytial virus. J. Bacteriol. 91:1270-1276. 1966.-Column chromatography of concentrated preparations was used to separate two antigenic components from the "soluble complement-fixing (CF) antigen" of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. These antigens, designated antigen A and antigen B, stimulated homologous but not heterologous CF antibodies. Only antigen A stimulated the production of neutralizing antibody in guinea pigs. There was a dissociation between the CF and neutralizing antibody responses of guinea pigs immunized with antigen A. The two antigens were shown to have different molecular size, density, and sensitivity to lipolytic agents. Both antigens appeared to be components of the RS viral particle. Serological studies demonstrated that both antigens were formed during RS virus infection of children and adults.