B-cell receptor specific for Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide serogroup W-135 (BCR-NmW135)

The B-cell receptor specific for Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide serogroup W-135 is a specialized membrane-bound immunoglobulin found on the surface of a subset of B lymphocytes. Its primary role is to recognize and bind the unique capsular polysaccharide of the W-135 serogroup, which consists of repeating units of galactose and sialic acid (Stephens, D. S., et al. 2007. Lancet 369:2196-210). This binding event is the critical first step in the adaptive immune response against invasive meningococcal disease caused by this specific serogroup, which can lead to life-threatening meningitis and septicemia (WHO. 2023. Meningococcal meningitis). Upon activation, these B cells undergo clonal expansion and differentiate into plasma cells that produce high-affinity antibodies capable of neutralizing the pathogen through opsonophagocytosis and complement-mediated lysis. In clinical practice, this receptor is the primary target of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) such as Menveo and Menactra (CDC. 2023. Meningococcal Vaccination). These vaccines are designed to stimulate the BCR to elicit robust, long-lasting immunity and immunological memory. The interaction between the vaccine antigen and the BCR is essential for the success of immunization programs targeting Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135.

Other names

Meningococcal serogroup W B-cell receptorBCR specific for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 capsular polysaccharideAnti-W135 B-cell receptorSurface immunoglobulin specific for NmW-135

The target functions by binding to the W-135 capsular polysaccharide antigen provided by vaccines, which triggers B-cell receptor cross-linking and subsequent activation of the B cell (Pollard, A. J., et al. 2009. Nat Rev Immunol 9:213-20). In conjugate vaccines, the BCR facilitates the internalization of the polysaccharide-protein complex, leading to T-cell dependent immune responses, affinity maturation, and the generation of long-lived memory B cells and plasma cells that secrete protective IgG antibodies (Borrow, R., et al. 2005. Vaccine 23:2222-7).