Interaction of Bordetella pertussis with mast cells, modulation of cytokine secretion by pertussis toxin

Together with macrophages and dendritic cells, mast cells have recently bee n shown to interact with certain pathogenic bacteria and present microbial antigens to the immune system. We show here that Bordetella pertussis can a dhere to and be phagocytosed by mast cells. In addition, mast cells are abl e to process and present B. pertussis antigens to T lymphocytes, Furthermor e, exposure of mast cells to B, pertussis induced the release of the proinf lammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleuki n 6 (IL-6). The release of IL-6 was strongly reduced by pertussis toxin exp ressed by B. pertussis, The production of IL-10, but not that of IL-4, by m ast cells was also inhibited by pertussis toxin, Depletion of mast cells in vivo resulted in significant reduction of early TNF-alpha production in br onchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of B. pertussis-infected mice, These data suggest that mast cells may play a role in the induction of immune respons es against B. pertussis through the release of cytokines, especially TNF-al pha.