Bordetella pertussis fimbriae type 3 (FIM3) (FIM3)

Bordetella pertussis fimbriae type 3 (FIM3) is a major surface-exposed protein and a key virulence factor of the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough (UniProt P05411). FIM3 belongs to the class of bacterial adhesins, specifically forming long, filamentous appendages that facilitate the attachment of the pathogen to the ciliated respiratory epithelium of the host (PubMed PMID: 15273111). This attachment is a critical early step in the colonization process and the subsequent development of the infection. FIM3 is highly immunogenic and is a standard component of many multi-component acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines, such as DTaP and Tdap (CDC, "Pertussis Vaccination"). In the context of vaccination, FIM3 serves as an antigen that stimulates the production of specific antibodies, which help prevent bacterial adhesion and enhance clearance by the immune system (PubMed PMID: 10417486). However, B. pertussis can undergo serotype switching between FIM2 and FIM3, which may contribute to the persistence of the pathogen in vaccinated populations and represents a challenge for long-term vaccine efficacy (PubMed PMID: 24501086).

Other names

Fim3Serotype 3 fimbriaeMajor fimbrial subunit Fim3Bordetella pertussis pilus type 3

Induction of neutralizing antibodies that block bacterial attachment to the respiratory epithelium and promote opsonization and clearance of the pathogen (PubMed PMID: 10417486).