Immunoelectrophoretic identification and purification of herpes simplex virus antigens released from infected cells in tissue culture.

Proteins released from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-and type 2 (HSV-2)-infected HEp-2 cells have been characterized by the crossed immunoelectrophoretic technique. Both HSV type-common and type-specific antigens were found in the tissue culture medium 24 h after infection. Antigen Ag-6, an HSV-1-specific antigen, was found in high concentration in the medium as compared to other HSV antigens released from HSV-1-infected cells. The HSV-2-specific antigens, Ag-4 and Ag-1, were released in molecular modifications with altered electrophoretic mobility as compared to their cellular counterparts. Purification of HSV antigens was performed by ion-exchange chromatography, and an HSV type-common antigen, Ag-11, and an HSV-2-specific antigen, Ag-4A, were isolated.