USE OF CYCLODEXTRIN AS AN AGENT TO INDUCE EXCRETION OF BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS ANTIGENS

This paper attempts to provide an explanation for the effect of cyclod extrin on the yield of Bordetella pertussis soluble antigens. It was d emonstrated that the addition of cyclodextrin to the synthetic Stainer -Scholte liquid medium enhances the level of the intracellular form of adenylate cyclase (200 kDa) in the supernate. In addition to this eff ect, it has been reported that cyclodextrin also enhances the levels o f two other extracellular proteins, pertussis toxin and filamentous he magglutinin. As these antigens are structurally different, it seems th at the effect of cyclodextrin is not specific. With the use of differe nt buffer systems of well-known action on outer membrane stability it was possible to determine a relationship between the presence of cyclo dextrin, destabilisation of the outer membrane and the release of prot eins. It was determined that the cyclodextrin did not modify the fluid ity of B. pertussis cells but produced a change of outer membrane perm eability.