Mouse Nasal Immunogenicity of Sendai Virus Vaccines Inactivated by Chemical Modification of Core RNA

Abstract

Inactivated Sendai virus vaccines including chemically virus-core-modified ones and virus-disrupted ones were examined immunohistologically in mice for their nasal immunogenicity. With five virus-disrupter (deoxycholate, phenol, urea, alkali and thymol) -treated vaccines, no immunoprophylactic effect in the entire respiratory tracts was observed. Of eight vaccines inactivated by chemical modification of viral core RNA, diethylsulphate, N-methyl-N'-nitroso-guanidine, and crystal-violet vaccines had no marked protection, whereas brilliant-green, rhodamine-B, and Hofmann's violet vaccines induced strong protection. Marked effects were brought about with hydroxylamine-treated vaccine, but not with O-methylhydroxylamine-treated vaccine. High nasal immunogenicity was elicited by such inactivated vaccines having partially modified core RNA and intact superficial layers of the virion.