Effect of Bordetella pertussis on alpha 1 and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors in guinea pig lung membranes.

After intraperitoneal injection of Bordetella pertussis vaccine to guinea pigs, the alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors of the whole lung were measured by binding assays with the radioisotope-labeled antagonists, 3H-prazosin, 1-(3)H-dihydroalprenolol and 1-(3)H-quinuclidinyl benzilate, respectively. Injection of guinea pigs with pertussis vaccine resulted in an increase in the maximum binding (Bmax) of 3H-prazosin, while there was about a 30% reduction in 1-(3)H-dihydroalprenolol binding to beta-adrenergic receptors. No difference was observed in the dissociation constant (KD) for binding of each ligand to alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors. 1-(3)H-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding indicated that the Bmax and KD for cholinergic muscarinic receptor in pertussis-sensitized guinea pigs were not significantly different from those normal control animals.