Distinct early cellular kinetics in participants protected against colonization upon Bordetella pertussis challenge

BACKGROUND: To date, only limited data are available on the mechanisms of protection against colonization with Bordetella pertussis in humans. METHODS: In this study, the cellular responses to B. pertussis challenge were monitored longitudinally using high-dimensional EuroFlow-based flow cytometry, allowing quantitative detection of more than 250 different immune cell subsets in the blood of 15 healthy donors. RESULTS: Participants who were protected against colonization showed different early cellular responses compared with colonized participants. Especially prominent for colonization-protected participants were the early expansion of CD36((–)) nonclassical monocytes on day 1 (D1), natural killer cells (D3), follicular T helper cells (D1–D3), and plasma cells (D3). Plasma cell expansion on D3 correlated negatively with the CFU load on D7 and D9 after challenge. Increased plasma cell maturation on D11–D14 was found in participants with seroconversion. CONCLUSION: These early cellular immune responses following experimental infection can now be further characterized and potentially linked to an efficient mucosal immune response, preventing colonization. Ultimately, their presence may be used to evaluate whether new B. pertussis vaccine candidates are protective against B. pertussis colonization, e.g., by bacterial challenge after vaccination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03751514. FUNDING: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking and the EuroFlow Consortium.