Role of antibodies against Bordetella pertussis virulence factors in adherence of Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis to human bronchial epithelial cells

Immunization with whole-cell pertussis vaccines (WCV) containing heat-kille d Bordetella pertussis cells and with acellular vaccines containing genetic ally or chemically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT) in combination with fila mentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (Prn), or fimbriae confers protectio n in humans and animals against B. pertussis infection. In an earlier study we demonstrated that FHA is involved in the adherence of these bacteria to human bronchial epithelial cells. In the present study,vt: investigated wh ether mouse antibodies directed against B, pertussis FHA, PTg, Prn, and fim briae, or against two other surface molecules, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the 40-kDa outer membrane porin protein (OMP), that are not involved in ba cterial adherence, were able to block adherence of B. pertussis and B. para pertussis to human bronchial epithelial cells. All antibodies studied inhib ited the adherence of B, pertussis to these epithelial cells and were equal ly effective in this respect. Only antibodies against LPS and 40-kDa OMP af fected the adherence of B. parapertussis to epithelial cells, We conclude t hat antibodies which recognize surface structures on B. pertussis or on B. parapertussis can inhibit adherence of the bacteria to bronchial epithelial cells, irrespective whether these structures play a role in adherence of t he bacteria to these cells.