Mahon, Bernard P. and Ennis, Darren P. and Cassidy, Joseph P. (2004) Whole-cell pertussis vaccine protects against Bordetella pertussis exacerbation of allergic asthma. Immunology Letters, xxx. pp. 1-10.

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Abstract

The prevalence of asthma and allergic disease has increased in many countries and there has been speculation that immunization promotes allergic sensitization. Bordetella pertussis infection exacerbates allergic asthmatic responses. We investigated whether whole-cell pertussis vaccine (Pw) enhanced or prevented B.pertussis induced exacerbation of allergic asthma. Groups of mice were immunized with Pw, infected with B.pertussis and/or sensitized to ovalbumin. Immunological, pathological and physiological changes were measured to assess the impact of Pw immunization on immune deviation and airway function. Pw immunization modulated ovalbumin-specific serum IgE production, and reduced local and systemic IL-13 and other cytokine responses to sensitizing allergen. Histopathological examination revealed Pw immunization reduced the severity of airway pathology and decreased bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine exposure. Pw does not enhance airway IL-13 and consequently does not enhance but protects against the exacerbation of allergic responses. We find no evidence of Pw contributing to allergic asthma, but rather provide evidence of a mechanism whereby whole-cell pertussis vaccination has a protective role.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Bordetella pertussis; vaccine; asthma; IL-13; Allergen;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Institute of Immunology
Item ID:	160
Depositing User:	Bernard Mahon
Date Deposited:	16 Dec 2004
Journal or Publication Title:	Immunology Letters
Publisher:	Elsevier B.V.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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