Bordetella pertussis binds human C1 esterase inhibitor during the virulent phase, to evade complement-mediated killing.
C1 esterase inhibitor (C1inh) is a major inhibitor of several pathways of inflammation in humans. In this study, we show that virulent-phase cultures of Bordetella pertussis, the etiological agent for whooping cough, but not other Bordetella species specifically recruit C1inh from human serum. Using a spontaneous mutant of B. pertussis that was deficient in C1inh binding, we demonstrate that the ability of B. pertussis to acquire high levels of human C1inh and wild-type levels of serum resistance are well correlated, suggesting that, in addition to and independent of BrkA expression, acquisition of C1inh is vital to B. pertussis resistance to complement-mediated killing.
Marr
Nico
N
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Luu
Rachel A
RA
Fernandez
Rachel C
RC
D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D014774:Virulence
D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins