Attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine strain BPZE1 modulates allergen-induced immunity and prevents allergic pulmonary pathology in a murine model

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 933 - 941
• Main Authors: Kavanagh, H., Noone, C., Cahill, E., English, K., Locht, C., Mahon, B. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2010; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Allergens - adverse effects; Allergens - immunology; Allergies; Animal models; Animals; asthma; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Bordetella pertussis; Bordetella pertussis - immunology; Bordetella pertussis - pathogenicity; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Disease Models, Animal; Ent and stomatologic bacterial diseases; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - immunology; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - prevention & control; Immunity; Infectious diseases; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - prevention & control; Lung; Lung - immunology; Lung - pathology; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mucosa; Ovalbumin; Ovalbumin - immunology; Pathology; Pertussis; Pertussis Vaccine - immunology; Pneumology; Respiratory tract diseases; Rodents; vaccine; Vaccines; Vaccines, Attenuated - immunology; Virulence; Whooping cough; Whooping Cough - immunology; Whooping Cough - prevention & control; Allergy; Animal model; Lung; Respiratory system; Immunity; Prevention; Immunology; Bacteria; Bronchus disease; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Immunopathology; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Rodentia; Vaccine; Bordetella pertussis; Asthma; Whooping cough; Infection; Vertebrata; Anatomic pathology; Mammalia; Mouse; Bacteriosis; Attenuated strain; Allergen
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03459.x

Summary Background Virulent Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, exacerbates allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. A live genetically attenuated B. pertussis mucosal vaccine, BPZE1, has been developed that evokes full protection against virulent challenge in mice but the effect of this attenuated strain on the development of allergic responses is unknown. Objective To assess the influence of attenuated B. pertussis BPZE1 on OVA priming in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. Methods Mice were challenged with virulent or attenuated strains of B. pertussis, and sensitized to allergen (OVA) at the peak of bacterial carriage. Subsequently, airway pathology, local inflammation and OVA‐specific immunity were examined. Results In contrast to virulent B. pertussis, live BPZE1 did not exacerbate but reduced the airway pathology associated with allergen sensitization. BPZE1 immunization before allergen sensitization did not have an adjuvant effect on allergen specific IgE but resulted in a statistically significant decrease in airway inflammation in tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. BPZE1 significantly reduced the levels of OVA‐driven IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 but induced a significant increase in IFN‐γ in response to OVA re‐stimulation. Conclusions These data demonstrate that, unlike virulent strains, the candidate attenuated B. pertussis vaccine BPZE1 does not exacerbate allergen‐driven airway pathology. BPZE1 may represent an attractive T‐helper type 1 promoting vaccine candidate for eradication of whooping cough that is unlikely to promote atopic disease.