Phagosome acidification has opposite effects on intracellular survival of Bordetella pertussis and B. bronchiseptica

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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy
14:39

Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: December 7, 2015

B Schneider1, R Gross, A Haas

  • 1Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Biozentrum der Universität Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany.

Infection and Immunity
|November 18, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica survive differently within macrophages. Their varying acid tolerance likely explains why B. pertussis is killed while B. bronchiseptica persists.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis is killed by phagocytes, unlike Bordetella bronchiseptica, which survives intracellularly.
  • Understanding differential bacterial survival mechanisms within host cells is crucial for infectious disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intracellular fate of Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica within macrophages.
  • To determine the role of phagosomal maturation and pH in the differential survival of these two Bordetella species.

Main Methods:

  • Macrophages were infected with B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica.
  • Phagosomal maturation was assessed using markers like LAMP1 and cathepsin D.
  • Intracellular pH was measured, and bacterial survival was evaluated under varying pH conditions and with pH-modulating drugs.

Main Results:

  • Bordetella-containing phagosomes mature into acidic late endosomes/lysosomes (pH 4.5-5.0).
  • B. pertussis is acid-sensitive and does not survive at pH 4.5, while B. bronchiseptica shows minor growth inhibition.
  • Altering macrophage intracellular pH affected the survival of both species, increasing B. pertussis survival but decreasing B. bronchiseptica survival.

Conclusions:

  • Bordetella-containing phagosomes undergo rapid maturation to an acidic compartment.
  • Differential acid tolerance is a key factor contributing to the distinct intracellular survival of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica in macrophages.

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