Comparative studies of the immunogenic activity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBsAg polypeptides.

Three hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) preparations were compared: Purified intact 22-nm HBsAg particles; HBsAg-derived, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-denatured P25 + GP30 polypeptide pool; and nondenatured P25 + GP30 micelles. The micelles had the same polypeptide composition as the P25 + GP30 pool. The immunogenicity in mice of each preparation, administered either in saline suspension or adsorbed to aluminum gel, was compared. The SDS-denatured polypeptides were less immunogenic than intact HBsAg particles, whereas the micelles were more immunogenic. High anti-HBs titers were observed in mice immunized with micelle preparations in either saline suspension or adsorbed to aluminum gel for as long as 200 days after a booster inoculation, administered 26 days after the primary dose.