pertactin

Pertactin is a 69-kDa outer membrane protein of *Bordetella pertussis* that acts as a key adhesin, facilitating the attachment of the bacterium to the host's respiratory tract epithelium. It is a critical component of most acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines, where it serves as a protein subunit antigen to induce protective immunity. In the context of vaccination, pertactin stimulates the production of opsonizing antibodies that inhibit bacterial adhesion and promote clearance by the immune system. While highly effective, the widespread use of pertactin-containing vaccines has been associated with the emergence of pertactin-deficient *B. pertussis* strains in several regions. The University of Antwerp, specifically through its Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, has played a significant historical role in the clinical development and evaluation of acellular pertussis vaccines containing pertactin, often in collaboration with major pharmaceutical developers like GSK.

Brand names

AdacelBoostrixDaptacelPentacelQuadracelVaxelis

Other names

69 kDa outer membrane protein69 kDa antigenBordetella pertussis pertactinPRN protein