EFFECT OF (2,6-0-DIMETHYL) BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN (HEPTAKIS) ON CELL MASS, PERTUSSIS TOXIN AND FILAMENTOUS HEMAGGLUTININ PRODUCTION IN 3 BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS VACCINAL STRAINS

We have studied the production of pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) by three Bordetella pertussis vaccinal strains in culture supernatants and in supernatants of cells washed with high ionic strenght solutions. The strains were grown in Stainer-Scholte (SS) medium and in a modification of it that we called CL-basal (CL-b) and in these media with heptakis (2,6-0-Dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin (MebetaCD)). FHA and PT were estimated by total hemagglutination, differential hemagglutination (with cholesterol) and Dot-blot immunoassay. CL-b medium increase the cellular mass production and would also increase the stability and liberation of hemagglutinins. The addition of MebetaCD to SS or CL-b medium would stimulate the production, exportation and stability of PT and FHA. These effects are greater for CL-b medium and more important for FHA than for PT. We obtained similar results with the addition of 0,5 or 1 g/l of MebetaCD to CL-b. Culture supernatants contained FHA and PT but supernatants of cells washed with high ionic strength solutions contained basically FHA and would be used to improve its yield.