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Orally administered microencapsulated Bordetella pertussis fimbriae protect mice from B. pertussis respiratory
D H Jones1, B W McBride, C Thornton
1Microbial Antigens Department, Centre for Applied Microbiology & Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Fimbriae from Bordetella pertussis have been encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles of a size appropriate for uptake by the immune inductive tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Mice were immunized by oral gavage with a single dose of 10 micrograms of microencapsulated fimbriae. The resulting immune responses were compared with those resulting from intraperitoneal injection of mice with equivalent amounts of fimbriae absorbed onto alhydrogel. The examination of serum and mucosal secretions, collected over a 6-week period, for specific antifimbrial antibodies clearly demonstrated that only orally immunized animals mounted measurable immune responses in external secretions. Six weeks after immunization, all immunized animals were protected against intranasal challenge with live B. pertussis.
Insights
Oral immunization with Bordetella pertussis fimbriae encapsulated in microparticles effectively stimulated mucosal immunity and protected mice against infection. This novel approach offers a promising strategy for developing new pertussis vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a significant public health concern.
- Current vaccines have limitations, necessitating the development of improved delivery systems.
- Fimbriae are key virulence factors of B. pertussis and potential vaccine antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy of microencapsulated B. pertussis fimbriae delivered orally.
- To compare oral immunization with traditional intraperitoneal injection for stimulating antifimbrial immune responses.
Main Methods:
- B. pertussis fimbriae were encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles for oral delivery.
- Mice were immunized orally with microencapsulated fimbriae or intraperitoneally with fimbriae on alhydrogel.
- Serum and mucosal secretions were analyzed for antifimbrial antibodies over six weeks.
- Immunized mice were challenged intranasally with live B. pertussis.
Main Results:
- Oral immunization with microencapsulated fimbriae induced significant antifimbrial antibody responses in mucosal secretions.
- Intraperitoneal immunization did not elicit measurable mucosal immune responses.
- All immunized mice, regardless of immunization route, were protected against B. pertussis challenge.
Conclusions:
- Oral delivery of microencapsulated B. pertussis fimbriae is an effective strategy for inducing protective mucosal immunity.
- This approach holds potential for developing next-generation acellular pertussis vaccines.
- Microparticle encapsulation enhances the immunogenicity of fimbriae for oral vaccination.