A BcfA-containing intranasal vaccine generated TH17 immunity and reduced B. bronchiseptica colonization and disease in mice.

Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) is a significant etiologic agent of respiratory disease in farm and companion animals. Current vaccines provide short-lived protection against disease, but do not elicit mucosal immunity that is critical for sustained protection. Here we tested a trivalent protein subunit vaccine composed of Bordetella antigens filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) pertactin (Prn), and the dual antigen-adjuvant Bordetella colonization factor A (BcfA). Intranasal immunization of mice generated TH17 polarized systemic and tissue-resident CD4 + T cells and systemic and mucosal IgG and IgA antibodies. Immunized mice were protected against weight loss, bronchoconstriction and cough and displayed reduced lung inflammation. Following challenge, Bb was cleared from the lungs and reduced in the nose of immunized mice. This subunit vaccine has the potential to provide sustained protection against Bb infection and disease in companion and farm animals.