Pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin antigens (PT/FHA/PRN)

Pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin (PRN) are the primary antigenic components of modern acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines derived from the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (CDC, 2022). Pertussis toxin is a complex AB5-type exotoxin that ADP-ribosylates inhibitory G-proteins, leading to increased intracellular cAMP and the disruption of immune cell recruitment and signaling (UniProt P04977). Filamentous hemagglutinin is a large secreted protein that serves as a major adhesin, allowing the bacteria to bind to ciliated respiratory epithelial cells and leukocytes (UniProt P12255). Pertactin is an outer membrane autotransporter protein that further facilitates bacterial attachment to host cells via its RGD motifs (UniProt P14283). In vaccine formulations, PT is typically chemically or genetically detoxified to form pertussis toxoid, which, along with FHA and PRN, induces the production of neutralizing antibodies and memory T-cell responses (PubMed PMID: 25261380). These antigens are critical for preventing the clinical manifestations of whooping cough, although the emergence of PRN-deficient strains and the relatively rapid waning of vaccine-induced immunity compared to whole-cell vaccines remain significant challenges in public health (PubMed PMID: 24366867).

Other names

Acellular pertussis antigensBordetella pertussis antigensPertussis toxoid, FHA, and PRNPertussis vaccine antigens

Induction of active immunity through the production of neutralizing antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses against Bordetella pertussis virulence factors.