Evaluation of adenyl cyclase toxin constructs from Bordetella pertussis as candidate vaccine components in an in vitro model of complement-dependent intraphagocytic killing.

Recombinant, genetically-detoxified adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) constructs from Bordetella pertussis have been developed as potential antigen delivery systems and as promising antigen candidates for inclusion in acellular pertussis vaccines. The major toxic effects of native CyaA are attributed to its enzymatic activity following delivery to cells of the innate immune system via the CD11b/CD18 (CR3) cell receptor. In view of the potential use of detoxified CyaA in vaccinology, a complement dependent in vitro model was used to investigate the potential effects of the interaction of detoxified CyaA with CD11b/CD18 (CR3) on phagocytic function.