Computational models of Immunity - Pertussis Boost (CMI-PB): Engaging the broader scientific community to develop predictive models of Tdap booster vaccination

Abstract Whooping cough is a contagious disease caused by Bordetella Pertussis. The introduction of an inactivated whole bacteria vaccine (wP) in the 1940s led to a dramatic decrease in cases. However, due to vaccine related side-effects, this was substituted by the acellular vaccine (aP) in the 90’s which resulted in rise in cases. In order to determine if there are differences between those primed with aP vs. wP in infancy, we created a model using longitudinal samples from aP boosted individuals as a proxy for antigen encounter in vivo. In previous research, we observed substantial variability in magnitude of vaccine-induced responses between individuals regardless of their priming. Yet, we identified a systematic increase of Th2 polarization of T cells at day 7, a higher expression of CCL3 in PBMC on day 3 post-boost, and an increase of IgG4 antibody polarization in aP individuals. It is not clear how these different observations are interlinked. We hope to address this question in our project, Computational Models of Immunity – Pertussis Boost (CMI-PB). We are establishing a website that will release omics data (10 aP vs 10 wP infancy primed donors) and engage students with educational materials, and help organize a yearly contest with the broader scientific community to help develop predictive models of immunity. This study will identify the key factors responsible for the differences between aP and wP primed individuals, while also providing a model for general vaccinology.