SYMPOSIUM ON RELATIONSHIP OF STRUCTURE OF MICROORGANISMS TO THEIR IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES. I. IMMUNOLOGICAL AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS ANTIGENS

Antigens of Bordetella pertussis V. Separation of Agglutinogen 1 and Mouse-Protective Antigen

Agglutinogen 1 of Bordetella pertussis strain 353/Z (serotype 1) was separated from protective antigen and histamine-sensitizing factor by starch-block electrophoresis. Most of the agglutinogen 1 migrated towards the cathode in starch-block electrophoresis, although some remained near the origin. Fractions containing most of the agglutinogen 1 were free of detectable mouse-protecting or histamine-sensitizing activities. Agglutinogen 1 from a serotype 1, 3 B. pertussis strain (J20) migrated similarly to the agglutinogen 1 from strain 353/Z. All agglutinogen 3 activity was found at the point of application in the starch block. No clear relationship was found between agglutinogen 1 and mouse-protecting antigen or histamine-sensitizing factor.

PERTUSSIS VACCINE TESTING FOR FREEDOM-FROM-TOXICITY

The results of 9.5 years of official testing of vaccines containing pertussis vaccine, plain or adsorbed with alum, Al(OH)(3), or AlPO(4), are reported. Toxicity was evaluated by weight changes in mice at 3 and 7 days after injection and intercurrent deaths. Toxicity was encountered during the early use of AlPO(4) in pertussis vaccine products, with a special product and quadruple-antigen vaccines. Throughout the study Al(OH)(3) products, few in number, were the least reactive of the adsorbed products. The slopes of regression lines of graded-dose responses reflected variations in reactivity of "nontoxic" vaccines. The U.S.-prescribed test is discussed relative to the (i) reactivity in children, (ii) causes of toxicity, (iii) other assays for pertussis vaccine toxicity, and (iv) the use of a reference vaccine in the toxicity test.

Inhibition of heat-labile toxin from Bordetella parapertussis by fatty acids

The ability of heat-labile toxin (HLT) from Bordetella parapertussis to induce skin lesions in guinea pigs was found to be inhibited by lipids isolated from skin layers of adult mice, which are refractory to the lesion-inducing activity of HLT. These lipids were identified as linoleic and oleic acids. Other long-chain unsaturated fatty acids were also found to inhibit HLT; however, fatty alcohols, neutral lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, prostaglandin, and leukotriene had no measurable effects on HLT action. The data presented in this report indicate that the ability of HLT to induce skin lesions in animals may depend, at least in part, on the free fatty acid content of the skin layer.

Effects of exogenous agents on the action of Bordetella parapertussis heat-labile toxin on guinea pig skin

Injection of sonic extracts of Bordetella parapertussis into the shaved backs of guinea pigs produced hemorrhagic necrosis, which previously has been attributed to the action of heat-labile toxin. As heat-labile toxin was purified from this crude mixture, its ability to induce hemorrhagic lesions decreased significantly. However, ischemic lesions were apparent after injection of the purified toxin. These lesions, while not hemorrhagic in nature, were marked by erythema surrounded by a region in which the ischemia was apparent. Exogenous agents were found to alter the nature of the skin lesion induced by heat-labile toxin. The lipid A portion of endotoxin in combination with heat-labile toxin caused hemorrhagic lesions surrounded by a ring of ischemia, whereas bovine serum albumin increased the area of erythema. While the nature of lesions induced by heat-labile toxin was affected by exogenous agents, the diameter of ischemia produced by the toxin was found to be independent of the presence of these agents and was linear with toxin dose. These results indicate that induction of hemorrhagic necrosis may not be a reliable indicator of heat-labile toxin activity. Instead, measurement of the ischemic lesion produced by heat-labile toxin may be a useful assay for the toxin.

Modification of antibody response to type III pneumopolysaccharide by route of injection of pertussis vaccine

Pertussis vaccine (PV) or diphtheria toxoid-PV-tetanus toxoid (DPT) altered the antibody response of BALB/c female mice to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide antigen (S3). The key factor affecting the magnitude of the response to S3 was the route of injection of PV or DPT, whereas the route of injection of S3 was not crucial. Subcutaneous injections of DPT augmented the antibody response to low, optimal, and tolerogenic (high) doses of S3 injected either subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. This enhancement was persistent and was observed both when S3 and DPT were mixed and injected subcutaneously and when S3 and DPT were injected concurrently at separate subcutaneous sites. When either PV or DPT was injected intraperitoneally, the antibody response to subcutaneously or intraperitoneally injected S3 was significantly decreased. These experiments demonstrate a dichotomy of effect dependent on the route of administration of PV. Most studies in mice utilizing PV employ the intraperitoneal injection route, and it is important to consider whether PV treatment by this route may have unique effects. Our data suggest that intraperitoneal injection of PV suppresses B cells, possibly by influencing regulatory cell function.

Bacterial Immunoabsorbent Columns

Methods are described for the preparation of bacterial immunoabsorbents consisting of organisms dispersed in agar beads 50 to 200 μm in diameter. The concentration of organisms could be made extremely high and columns prepared had sufficient capacity to enable them to be used for a number of purposes, but particularly for the removal of cross-reacting agglutinins from production batches of type-specific antisera. The absorptive capacity of these columns was regenerated after absorption by the elution of agglutinins with low p H buffers. Results obtained from the use of these immunoabsorbents are presented.

Histamine-sensitizing factor, mouse-protective antigens, and other antigens of some members of the genus Bordetella

The three species of the genus Bordetella-B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica-have many antigens in common. Studies on representative strains of these species have shown that there are only a few specific antigens in each species. Whole-cell vaccines and extracts from B. pertussis contained specific mouse-protective antigen and a histamine-sensitizing factor. In addition, whole-cell vaccines and some saline extracts protected mice against intracranial challenge with B. bronchiseptica. Cells and a saline extract of B. parapertussis also protected against B. bronchiseptica but not against B. pertussis. Whole cells of B. bronchiseptica protected against B. bronchiseptica, but only one of three saline extracts protected against this challenge. Neither whole cells nor saline extracts from B. bronchiseptica protected against B. pertussis. The antigen in B. pertussis responsible for cross-protection against B. bronchiseptica was less resistant to heat than the protective antigen in B. bronchiseptica. Since histamine-sensitizing factor was not detected in B. bronchiseptica or B. parapertussis cells or extracts, this factor is not required to protect mice against B. bronchiseptica challenge. Whether B. pertussis vaccines protected against B. bronchiseptica by a nonspecific mechanism was not established, but it is clear that the specific antigen responsible for protection against B. pertussis was found only in B. pertussis and not in B. bronchiseptica or B. parapertussis.

The occurrence and properties of leukocytosis and lymphocytosis-stimulating material in the supernatant fluids of Bordetella pertussis cultures

1. Leukocytosis- and lymphocytosis-stimulating activity was present in fluid cultures of B. pertussis. The activity was found primarily in the culture supernatant fluid. 2. The sequential changes in the leukocyte response were similar to those previously observed following injection of intact bacteria into mice. 3. Activity was destroyed by heat and was diminished, but not abolished, by prolonged treatment with proteolytic enzymes. 4. A water-insoluble fraction of the culture supernatant fluid was isolated which contained virtually all of the activity. The specific activity was more than 100-fold greater than that of the intact bacteria, and injection of microgram quantities produced a response. 5. The distribution of histamine-sensitizing factor followed that of leukocytosis-stimulating activity. In contrast, mouse protective antigen was localized to the bacterial pellet.

Histamine-sensitizing factors from microbial agents, with special reference to Bordetella pertussis

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Bordetella pertussis-induced alteration of the normal hyperglycemic response of mice to 3',5'-adenosine phosphate

Blockade of the adrenergic receptors or the injection of Bordetella pertussis vaccine prevented the normal hyperglycemic response of CFW mice to exogenous cyclic 3',5'-adenosine phosphate (3',5'-AMP). The cyclic nucleotide was also ineffective in offsetting the histamine hypersensitivity of the beta-adrenergically blocked and the pertussis-sensitized groups. These observations suggest that the autonomic malfunction occurs at a point(s) subsequent to release of 3',5'-AMP. Neither the hyperglycemic effect of epinephrine or 3',5'-AMP, or both, nor the histamine sensitivity of pertussis-pretreated animals was influenced by the subcutaneous administration of theophylline.

In vivo and in vitro manifestations of adrenergic blockade in Bordetella pertussis-vaccinated mice

The in vivo metabolic events which follow the administration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or isoproterenol were examined in normal, Bordetella pertussis-vaccinated, and alpha and beta adrenergically blocked mice. The normal hyperglycemic response to epinephrine was suppressed in all experimental groups. The pertussis-sensitized and beta-blocked animals produced similar split patterns of altered response not duplicated by the alpha-blocking compounds. Those catecholamines that normally increase free fatty acids and lactic acid in the circulation failed to do so in the pertussis-sensitized and beta-blocked animals; the inhibition of free fatty acid mobilization was also demonstrated with adipose tissue incubated in vitro. An extract of the pertussis organism added to incubation media prevented the catecholamine-induced free fatty acid response. The epinephrine-stabilizing effect of bovine serum albumin (Cohn-fraction V) was observed. The results of these studies further emphasize a correlation between pertussis-sensitized and beta-adrenergically blocked mice.

Endotoxin-induced hypersensitivity to histamine in mice. I. Contrasting effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and the classical histamine-sensitizing factor of Bordetella pertussis

Pieroni, Robert E. (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston), Edward J. Broderick, and Leo Levine. Endotoxin-induced hypersensitivity to histamine in mice. I. Contrasting effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and the classical histamine-sensitizing factor of Bordetella pertussis. J. Bacteriol. 91:2169-2174. 1966.-The capacity of typhoid and possibly of pertussis endotoxins to induce histamine-shock susceptibility in some of the mice that survive graded doses of these endotoxins was confirmed. It was demonstrated, however, that pertussis endotoxin cannot be the main source of the typical histamine sensitization of pertussis vaccine. The following points are made. (i) With typhoid and pertussis endotoxins as inducers of histamine shock, no systematic relation between deaths and induction dose could be found, and 100% mortality could not be achieved. In contrast, with pertussis protective fraction as inducer, there was clear dose-response regression, with 100% mortality possible. (ii) The major part of the histamine-sensitizing activity of pertussis vaccine or its extracts was destroyed by trypsinization or by heating for 30 min at 100 C. These processes do not affect the histamine-sensitizing activity of the endotoxins. The implication for purified pertussis vaccine with high histamine-sensitization capacity is that endotoxin need not necessarily be present. The significance and possible mechanisms of action of endotoxin-induced histamine sensitivity are briefly discussed.

Bordetella pertussis culture having only species factor 1

Eldering, Grace (Michigan Department of Public Health, Grand Rapids), Jack Holwerda, and Julia Baker. Bordetella pertussis culture having only species factor 1. J. Bacteriol. 91:1759-1762. 1966.-Preston's description of Bordetella pertussis 353-Z as a culture possessing only factor 1 was confirmed by agglutination and agglutinin-adsorption tests. The ld(50) values of this culture for mice inoculated by the intracerebral route were approximately the same as that of B. pertussis 18-323, the challenge culture in mouse potency tests of pertussis vaccine. In mouse protection tests, vaccine prepared with the factor 1 culture protected as well against challenge with B. pertussis 18-323, which has a broad antigenic pattern, as did vaccines made with cultures possessing factors 2, 3, 4, and 5 in addition to factor 1. When two groups of similarly immunized mice were challenged with 353-Z and 18-323, respectively, much lower ed(50) values were obtained with the animals challenged with 353-Z. This was true whether a factor 1 vaccine or a vaccine with factors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 was tested.