Whole-cell pertussis antigens (wP) (wP)

Whole-cell pertussis antigens represent the complete set of inactivated Bordetella pertussis cellular components utilized in traditional pertussis vaccines to elicit protective immunity. These antigens comprise a complex mixture of proteins, including pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and fimbriae, along with lipopolysaccharides that serve as intrinsic adjuvants [1, 11, 14]. Their primary biological function is to stimulate a broad immune response, characterized by the induction of Th1 and Th17-polarized T cells and the production of diverse antibodies that prevent both disease symptoms and bacterial colonization [4, 13, 17]. In the context of disease, these antigens are targeted to prevent pertussis (whooping cough), a severe respiratory infection that can be fatal in infants [10, 11]. While whole-cell antigens provide superior long-term protection and reduce asymptomatic transmission compared to acellular purified antigens, their use is associated with significant reactogenicity, leading to common side effects such as fever and injection site pain [1, 3, 5]. Consequently, while many high-income countries have transitioned to acellular vaccines, whole-cell antigens remain a critical pillar of global health strategies due to their robust immunogenicity and efficacy [1, 14].

Other names

Bordetella pertussis whole-cell antigenswP antigensInactivated Bordetella pertussis antigensWhole-cell B. pertussis antigensInactivated whole-cell pertussisDTP antigens

Whole-cell pertussis antigens stimulate the host immune system to produce a multifaceted response, including the generation of Th1 and Th17-polarized T cells and the production of opsonizing and neutralizing antibodies against Bordetella pertussis virulence factors. This prevents the attachment of bacteria to respiratory epithelial cells and neutralizes toxins like pertussis toxin.