Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection
07:54

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection

Published on: September 2, 2014

Induction of macrophage apoptosis by Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase-hemolysin

N Khelef1, N Guiso

  • 1Laboratoire des Bordetella, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|December 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis causes macrophage apoptosis primarily through its adenylate cyclase-hemolysin toxin. Other virulence factors like pertussis toxin and adhesins are not responsible for this cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis is known to induce apoptosis in macrophages.
  • Adenylate cyclase-hemolysin (ACH) expression is essential for this observed apoptosis.
  • The roles of other B. pertussis virulence factors in apoptosis were not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific B. pertussis factors responsible for inducing macrophage apoptosis.
  • To determine if pertussis toxin, pertactin, or filamentous hemagglutinin contribute to cell death.
  • To confirm the necessity of adenylate cyclase-hemolysin's activities for apoptosis induction.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of B. pertussis mutants deficient in specific virulence factors.
  • Assessment of purified adenylate cyclase-hemolysin, pertussis toxin, and adhesins for their ability to induce apoptosis.
  • Evaluation of the requirement for all adenylate cyclase-hemolysin activities in cell death.

Main Results:

  • Only purified adenylate cyclase-hemolysin induced macrophage apoptosis.
  • Pertussis toxin, pertactin, and filamentous hemagglutinin did not induce apoptosis.
  • All activities of adenylate cyclase-hemolysin were necessary for inducing apoptosis.
  • B. pertussis does not require cell invasion to cause lethality.

Conclusions:

  • Adenylate cyclase-hemolysin is the sole B. pertussis factor responsible for inducing macrophage apoptosis.
  • B. pertussis virulence and lethality can occur independently of intracellular invasion.

More Related Videos

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages06:52

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages

Published on: May 21, 2018

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation06:12

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...