Functional Programming of Innate Immune Cells in Response to Bordetella pertussis Infection and Vaccination

Despite widespread vaccination, B. pertussis remains one of the least controlled vaccine-preventable diseases. Although it is well known that acellular and whole cell pertussis vaccines induce distinct immune functionalities in memory cells, much less is known about the role of innate immunity in this process. In this review, we provide an overview of the known differences and similarities in innate receptors, innate immune cells and inflammatory signalling pathways induced by the pertussis vaccines either licensed or in development and compare this to primary infection with B. pertussis. Despite the crucial role of innate immunity in driving memory responses to B. pertussis, it is clear that a significant knowledge gap remains in our understanding of the early innate immune response to vaccination and infection. Such knowledge is essential to develop the next generation of pertussis vaccines with improved host defense against B. pertussis.