Biological properties of lipopolysaccharides isolated from Bordetella

Biological activity of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) separated from Bordetella, i.e., B. pertussis (Bp), B. parapertussis (Bpp) and B. bronchiseptica (Bbs), was determined and compared with that of an Escherichia coli LPS as a control. Two Bp-LPS preparations showed marked biological activities comparable to those of E. coli LPS in terms of lethal toxicity in galactosamine-sensitized mice, pyrogenicity in rabbits, mitogenicity in C3H/He spleen cell cultures, macrophage activation and tumor necrosis factor-inducing activity. All the activities except mitogenicity of two Bpp-LPS preparations were lower than or comparable to those of E. coli LPS. Activities stronger than or comparable to those of E. coli LPS were observed in two Bbs-LPS preparations. Among six LPS preparations from Bordetella tested, a Bbs-LPS from L3 strain exhibited the most intensive activities.