B-cell receptor (BCR) recognizing Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular polysaccharide (BCR)

The B-cell receptor (BCR) recognizing Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular polysaccharide is a specialized transmembrane receptor complex on B lymphocytes that mediates the recognition of the MenC pathogen (Janeway et al., 2001). It consists of a membrane-bound immunoglobulin specific for the alpha-2,9-linked sialic acid capsule of the bacteria, associated with the CD79a and CD79b signaling subunits (Bhattacharjee et al., 1975; UniProt, 2023). Upon ligation by the capsular polysaccharide or a conjugate vaccine, the BCR initiates a signaling cascade that drives B-cell maturation and the secretion of bactericidal antibodies (Pollard et al., 2009). This receptor is the primary target for immunization strategies aimed at preventing invasive meningococcal disease, such as meningitis and sepsis (CDC, 2022). Conjugate vaccines are designed to interact with this BCR to induce a T-cell-dependent immune response, which provides superior protection and immunological memory compared to pure polysaccharide vaccines (WHO, 2023). Understanding the interaction between the MenC antigen and this BCR is critical for the development and evaluation of effective meningococcal vaccines (PubMed, 2021).

Other names

MenC-specific B-cell receptorMeningococcal group C BCRSurface immunoglobulin recognizing alpha-2,9-linked sialic acidB-cell antigen receptor

The vaccine antigen binds to the B-cell receptor (BCR), inducing receptor clustering and activation of intracellular signaling pathways such as the Syk and PLC-gamma-2 cascades (Janeway et al., 2001). This process leads to the internalization of the antigen, which, in the case of conjugate vaccines, is processed and presented to T-helper cells to stimulate a robust, high-affinity antibody response and the formation of memory B cells (Pollard et al., 2009; WHO, 2023).