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Mucosal immunization with filamentous hemagglutinin protects against Bordetella pertussis respiratory infection

R D Shahin1, D F Amsbaugh, M F Leef

  • 1Laboratory of Pertussis, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

Infection and Immunity
|April 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Mucosal immunization using Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) protects against respiratory infection. Both gut and respiratory routes generated immune responses, reducing bacterial load in the lungs and trachea.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Pertussis remains a significant public health concern, necessitating improved vaccination strategies.
  • Filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) is a key adhesin and virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis.
  • Mucosal immunization offers a promising alternative to traditional parenteral vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of mucosal immunization with purified Bordetella pertussis FHA against respiratory pertussis infection.
  • To determine if immunization via the respiratory or gut route confers protection.
  • To investigate the immune response generated by mucosal FHA immunization.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were immunized intranasally or intraduodenally with purified B. pertussis FHA.
  • Immunized and control mice were challenged with B. pertussis via aerosol.
  • Bacterial load in the lungs and trachea was quantified.
  • Antibody levels (IgA, IgG) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured.
  • Frequency of FHA-specific B cells in the lungs was determined using limiting dilution analysis.

Main Results:

  • Mucosal immunization with FHA significantly protected mice against B. pertussis infection.
  • Both intranasal and intraduodenal immunization routes reduced bacterial recovery from the lungs and trachea by 2-3 logs.
  • Detectable levels of anti-FHA IgA and IgG were found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.
  • Intranasal FHA immunization led to a 60-fold increase in FHA-specific B cells in the lungs.

Conclusions:

  • Mucosal immunization with B. pertussis FHA effectively generates protective immunity in the respiratory tract.
  • Both respiratory and gut mucosal routes are viable for inducing protection against pertussis.
  • FHA-specific immune responses in the respiratory tract contribute to mitigating B. pertussis infection.

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