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.

Url http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/160/

Collections Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Subject = Science & Engineering: Biology
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Subject = Science & Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Biology
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Research Institutes
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Status = Published
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Open Access DRIVERset
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Status = Published
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Open Access DRIVERset
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Research Institutes: Institute of Immunology
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Research Institutes
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Subject = Science & Engineering: Institute of Immunology
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Biology
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering: Research Institutes: Institute of Immunology
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Type = Article
Ireland -> National University of Ireland Maynooth -> Type = Article
Ireland -> Maynooth University -> Academic Unit = Faculty of Science and Engineering