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

The B-cell receptor (BCR) specific for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 capsular polysaccharide epitopes is a specialized transmembrane protein complex on B lymphocytes that recognizes the unique [→6)-α-D-Galp-(1→4)-α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→] repeating unit of the MenW capsule (PMID: 11553243). This receptor plays a pivotal role in the adaptive immune response by binding to polysaccharide antigens, often presented in conjugate form with carrier proteins like CRM197 or tetanus toxoid in vaccines such as Menveo or Nimenrix (FDA, 2023). Upon antigen binding, the BCR triggers signaling pathways that lead to B-cell activation, germinal center formation, and the eventual secretion of high-affinity bactericidal antibodies (Janeway's Immunobiology, 10th Ed). These antibodies are essential for preventing invasive meningococcal disease, which can manifest as meningitis or sepsis with high mortality rates (CDC, 2022). The interaction between the BCR and the MenW polysaccharide is the basis for the efficacy of quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines (PMID: 22434285). Understanding this target is crucial for monitoring vaccine-induced immunity and developing next-generation immunotherapies against emerging hypervirulent MenW clones (WHO, 2023).

Other names

MenW-specific B-cell receptorAnti-MenW capsular polysaccharide BCRNeisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 polysaccharide-binding B-cell receptorMenW-polysaccharide specific BCR

Vaccine antigens bind to the specific B-cell receptor, inducing receptor clustering and activation of downstream signaling cascades (e.g., Lyn, Syk, PLCγ2), which promotes B-cell differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells (PMID: 25223464).