IFN-gamma-mediated protection against intracerebral challenge with Bordetella pertussis in mice

Mice inoculated with whole cell pertussis vaccine (WCV) acquired protection against intracerebral challenge with Bordetella pertussis without any appreciable antibody production against pertussis toxin or filamentous hemagglutinin. Spleen cells from mice immunized with WCV produced a significant amount of IFN-gamma upon stimulation in vitro with WCV. Furthermore, mice inoculated with recombinant IFN-gamma along with a suboptimal dose of WCV survived longer than those that received WCV alone. These results suggest that, in WCV-immune mice, IFN-gamma plays an important role in protection against intracerebral challenge with B. pertussis.