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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
Development of vaccines against pertussis caused by Bordetella holmesii using a mouse intranasal challenge model
Momoko Saito1, Keita Odanaka1, Nao Otsuka2
1Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
Abstract:
Bordetella holmesii is recognized as the third causative agent of pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Pertussis caused by B. holmesii is not rare around the world. However, to date, there is no effective vaccine against B. holmesii. We examined the protective potency of pertussis vaccines available in Japan and vaccines prepared from B. holmesii. A murine model of respiratory infection was exploited to evaluate protective potency. No Japanese commercial pertussis vaccines were effective against B. holmesii. In contrast, a wBH vaccine and an aBH vaccine prepared from B. holmesii were both protective. Passive immunization with sera from mice immunized with aBH vaccine established protection against B. holmesii, indicating that B. holmesii-specific serum antibodies might play an important role in protection. Immuno-proteomic analysis with sera from mice immunized with aBH vaccine revealed that the sera recognized a BipA-like protein of B. holmesii. An aBH vaccine prepared from a BipA-like protein-deficient mutant strain did not have a protective effect against B. holmesii. Taken together, our results suggest that the BipA-like protein plays an important role in the protective efficacy of aBH vaccine.
Insights
Current pertussis vaccines do not protect against Bordetella holmesii. Vaccines developed from B. holmesii, particularly those targeting the BipA-like protein, show protective potential against this pertussis agent.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Bordetella holmesii is a significant cause of pertussis (whooping cough) globally.
- Existing pertussis vaccines are ineffective against B. holmesii infections.
- There is an urgent need for effective vaccines against B. holmesii.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of existing Japanese pertussis vaccines against B. holmesii.
- To assess the protective potential of vaccines derived from B. holmesii.
- To identify key antigens responsible for protection against B. holmesii.
Main Methods:
- A murine model of respiratory infection was used to assess vaccine efficacy.
- Passive immunization studies were conducted using sera from immunized mice.
- Immuno-proteomic analysis was employed to identify target antigens.
Main Results:
- Commercial pertussis vaccines available in Japan did not provide protection against B. holmesii.
- Vaccines prepared from B. holmesii (wBH and aBH) demonstrated protective effects.
- The BipA-like protein of B. holmesii was identified as a key target antigen recognized by protective antibodies.
- A vaccine lacking the BipA-like protein showed no protective efficacy.
Conclusions:
- The BipA-like protein is crucial for the protective efficacy of B. holmesii vaccines.
- B. holmesii-specific serum antibodies play a significant role in protection.
- Development of a B. holmesii vaccine targeting the BipA-like protein is a promising strategy.
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