Campylobacter jejuni capsular polysaccharide (CPS) (CPS)

The Campylobacter jejuni capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is the primary virulence factor and the major determinant of the Penner serotyping scheme (PMID: 22547243). It consists of a repeating oligosaccharide structure that often includes unique modifications such as O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN), which plays a role in bacterial fitness and immune evasion (PMID: 21148445). CPS protects the bacterium from environmental stressors and host immune mechanisms, including complement-mediated killing and opsonization (PMID: 11133488). As a therapeutic target, CPS is the focus of conjugate vaccine development, where the polysaccharide is linked to carrier proteins like CRM197 to induce protective, serotype-specific antibodies (PMID: 26903207). While effective, the high degree of structural diversity among C. jejuni serotypes presents a challenge for broad-spectrum vaccine coverage (PMID: 24106299). The capsule is also involved in the initial stages of host cell interaction and colonization of the intestinal tract. Research into synthetic CPS-based vaccines aims to overcome the difficulties of purifying heterogeneous polysaccharides from bacterial cultures. Understanding the biosynthesis of CPS is crucial for identifying conserved epitopes that could lead to a universal Campylobacter vaccine.

Other names

C. jejuni capsuleCapsular polysaccharideCPSPenner antigenCampylobacter jejuni CPS

Induction of opsonophagocytic antibodies that facilitate bacterial clearance and provide protective immunity against specific Penner serotypes (PMID: 26903207).