The influence of Bordetella pertussis on the preparation of mouse spleens for the secondary immune response

Abstract

The simultaneous injection of 4 × 108 sheep erythrocytes and 3 × 109 killed cells of Bordetella pertussis effects an accelerated and prolonged multiplication of antibody-forming spleen cells if compared with mice immunized with the erythrocyte antigen only. If mice of both groups are given a second injection of 4 × 108 sheep erythrocytes 6 weeks later, the numbers of indirect plaque-forming cells are markedly increased in pertussis-treated mice. This is connected with enhanced 7 S serum hemolysin titers. The conclusion is drawn that an initial injection of B. pertussis prepares the lymphoid tissues of mice for the secondary immune response.

Secondary Antibody-Forming Potential of Aged Mice, with Special Reference to the Influence of Adjuvant on Priming

“…Since the primary immune response of aged mice was found to be signi ficantly increased when killed cells of Bordetellapertussis were administered as an immunological adjuvant simultaneously with the erythrocyte antigen [Beneke et al, 1972;Finger et al, 1971], it was furthermore tested, whether or not the process of priming for the secondary response is also significantly increased by the bacterial adjuvant, as has been regularly observed in young adult animals Finger et al, 1969;1970a, b].…”

Reduced Adjuvant Activity of <i>Bordetella pertussis </i>on the Secondary Immune Response of Mice Evoked by an Immunogenic Threshold Dose of Sheep Erythrocytes

“…Furthermore. B. pertussis cells induce an increased priming for the secondary response [9,14,15], According to the serological findings of Nossal et al [24] using Salmonella flagellar antigens lor the primary and secondary immunization of rats, secondary responses can be evoked only, 'when the second dose of antigen equals, or preferably exceeds, the first dose'. Thus it appeared worthwhile to study the influence of B. pertussis cells on the cellular kinetics of antibody production, when an immunogenic threshold dose was given as the secondary antigenic stimulus.…”

Time Relationships between Injection of Antigen and Adjuvant

“…significantly increased process of priming for the secondary response [7,10] demonstrable in pertussis-treated mice. Alternatively, it has been postulated that additional responding cells are made available and that this is one of the crucial effects of pertussis organisms.…”

“…Thereby, IgG-producing cells were found to be more sensitive to the adjuvant activity than IgM producers [1,6]. The bacterial adjuvant increases furthermore the process of priming for the secondary response [7]. On the other hand, the full adjuvant activity of B. pertussis cells was demonstrable only when given together with the primary antigenic stimulus [10], Recent studies have shown that adjuvant activity was still detectable when pertussis organisms were administered within an interval of 48 h before primary immunization of mice with sheep erythrocytes [9].…”