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Evaluation of a ribosomal vaccine against pertussis
Abstract:
A crude ribosomal vaccine derived from Bordetella pertussis administered to ICR and N:NIH (SW) strains of mice protected them effectively against a standardized intracranial challenge. The dose of vaccine that protected half the mice was less for N:NIH (SW) than for ICR mice and compared favorably with a killed reference vaccine. Ribosomes prepared from bacteria ground with washed sea sand were more immunogenic than those obtained by rupture with alumina or with a Braun homogenizer. The protective effect of the crude ribosomes was not an innate part of the organelle but was due to a substance or substances that could be removed from them by a 1 M NH4Cl wash. The material in the wash was highly immunogenic and retained both the histamine-sensitizing and leukocytosis-promoting properties. It lost much of the dermonecrotic activity and was poorly pyrogenic in rabbits. The most potent pyrogen was present in the washed ribosomes, which apparently, retained the endotoxic components of the cell wall. The best vaccines permitted acceptable weight gain in the immunized mice.
Insights
A crude Bordetella pertussis ribosomal vaccine effectively protected mice against infection. The protective component was identified as a substance removable by a salt wash, distinct from endotoxins.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Bordetella pertussis is a significant human pathogen responsible for whooping cough.
- Development of effective pertussis vaccines is crucial for public health.
- Ribosomal vaccines have shown potential in inducing protective immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective efficacy of a crude ribosomal vaccine from Bordetella pertussis in mice.
- To investigate the immunogenic components within the crude ribosomal preparation.
- To compare different methods of ribosome preparation and their impact on immunogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Administered crude Bordetella pertussis ribosomal vaccine to ICR and N:NIH (SW) mice.
- Assessed protection against a standardized intracranial challenge.
- Investigated immunogenicity of ribosomes prepared using different mechanical disruption methods (sea sand, alumina, Braun homogenizer).
- Fractionated ribosomes using 1 M NH4Cl wash to isolate protective components.
- Evaluated histamine-sensitizing, leukocytosis-promoting, dermonecrotic, and pyrogenic activities of vaccine fractions.
Main Results:
- Crude ribosomal vaccine provided effective protection against intracranial challenge in both mouse strains.
- N:NIH (SW) mice required a lower vaccine dose for protection compared to ICR mice.
- Ribosomes prepared by grinding with sea sand were more immunogenic than those from alumina or Braun homogenizer methods.
- The protective effect was attributed to a substance removable by 1 M NH4Cl wash, not the intact ribosome.
- The wash fraction retained histamine-sensitizing and leukocytosis-promoting properties but had reduced dermonecrotic and pyrogenic activities.
- Washed ribosomes contained potent pyrogens, likely endotoxic cell wall components.
Conclusions:
- A crude Bordetella pertussis ribosomal vaccine is effective in protecting mice against pertussis challenge.
- The key immunogenic and protective components are soluble substances released by salt washing, separable from endotoxins.
- Optimized ribosome preparation methods can enhance vaccine immunogenicity.