Pertussis Toxin composite nanofibers as a non-invasive whooping cough vaccine

Global resurgence of whooping cough, a highly contagious disease caused by the fastidious gram negative coccobacillus, Bordetella pertussis, has raised questions of the current preventative and treatment technologies. A novel non-invasive vaccine has been developed by immobilization of Pertussis Toxin (PT) in electrospun polymer (Polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) nanofibers. In vitro experiments were utilized to test the bioavailability of PT inside of electrospun fibers. The sensitive assay for PT employs Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells, which form an attached monolayer in their native environment, undergo clumping in the presence of PT. The assay qualitatively measured clumping in the presence of native PT and dissolved PT-PVP electrospun coating for varied concentrations of CHO cells. Microscopic observation showed clumping with a sensitivity of 2.5 ng/ml of dissolved electrospun coating at 48 hours. The results of the in vitro assay confirm retention of biological activity of PT in electrospun nanofibers. This provides a means to develop a dermal pathway for a more effective long-term immunity against whooping cough. The application of electrospun coating can provide dermally-transferred immunity against other infectious diseases, thus overtaking oral or injectable vaccines.