Polymorphonuclear leukocyte-inhibitory factor of Bordetella pertussis. III. Inhibition of Arthus reaction and peritoneal infiltration of PMN.

In vivo biologic effects of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte-inhibitory factor (PIF) of Bordetella pertussis were tested by using two experimentally induced inflammatory processes in mice. The intravenous injection of a partially purified extract from phase I bacteria strongly inhibited the glycogen-induced peritoneal infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and the Arthus reactions, whereas little inhibitory activity was found in the extract from phase III bacteria. The activity was localized in the outer membrane of phase I bacteria, as was the in vitro PIF activity, and the two activities gave the same behavior in DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Therefore the observed suppression of inflammatory processes in mice is probably due to the inhibitory action of PIF on the function of PMN in vivo.