INDUCTION OF MACROPHAGE APOPTOSIS BY BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS ADENYLATE CYCLASE-HEMOLYSIN

We previously demonstrated that Bordetella pertussis induced macrophag e apoptosis and that adenylate cyclase-hemolysin expression is require d for this phenomenom. In order to determine a role for other B. pertu ssis factors, such as pertussis toxin or the adhesins, pertactin and f ilamentous hemagglutinin, we compared mutants deficient in adhesin exp ression or purified proteins for their ability to induce cell death. W e showed that only purified adenylate cyclase-hemolysin, but neither a dhesins, nor pertussis toxin, killed macrophages through apoptosis. We also demonstrated that all activities of adenylate cyclase-hemolysin were required. Moreover, our results indicate that B. pertussis does n ot have to invade cells to be lethal.