Bordetella pertussis whole cell immunization protects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

Abstract Whole cell vaccines are complex mixtures of antigens, immunogens, and sometimes adjuvants that can trigger potent and protective immune responses. In some instances, such as whole cell Bordetella pertussis vaccination, the immune response to vaccination extends beyond the pathogen the vaccine was intended for and contributes to protection against other clinically significant pathogens. In this study, we describe how B. pertussis whole cell vaccination protects mice against acute pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using ELISA and western blot, we identified that B. pertussis whole cell vaccination induces production of antibodies that bind to lab-adapted and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa, regardless of immunization route or adjuvant used. The cross-reactive antigens were identified using immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and subsequent immunoblotting. We determined that B. pertussis GroEL and OmpA present in the B. pertussis whole cell vaccine led to production of antibodies against P. aeruginosa GroEL and OprF, respectively. Finally, we showed that recombinant B. pertussis OmpA was sufficient to induce protection against P. aeruginosa acute murine pneumonia. This study highlights the potential for use of B. pertussis OmpA as a vaccine antigen for prevention of P. aeruginosa infection, and the potential of broadly protective antigens for vaccine development.