Capsular polysaccharide and surface protein of Neisseria meningitidis

Capsular polysaccharide and surface proteins of Neisseria meningitidis constitute the major virulence factors that facilitate bacterial survival in the human host and are the primary targets of approved and experimental vaccines[6][7][2]. The capsular polysaccharide, defining serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y, X), confers protection against complement-mediated killing and is a key antigen in conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines[6][7]. Surface proteins, such as Neisserial surface protein A (NspA), factor H binding protein (fHbp), NadA, PorA, Opa, and Opc, mediate adherence, immune evasion (e.g., by binding factor H, inhibiting complement as with fHbp and NspA), iron acquisition, and biofilm formation[3][4][2][5]. Many surface-exposed proteins are the basis of newer vaccines, especially for serogroup B, which is poorly immunogenic to polysaccharide-based approaches[4][3]. The virulence and vaccine relevance of these structures make them therapeutic and diagnostic targets; however, the term itself is overly broad and lacks specificity, as it encompasses multiple distinct molecular entities (e.g., capsule and numerous proteins), each with unique immunological and molecular characteristics. Therefore, "Capsular polysaccharides and surface proteins of Neisseria meningitidis" is not a singular target but groups together multiple molecules of different classes[6][2]. **Note:** - The target as stated is overly broad, encompassing *both* capsular polysaccharide (a complex sugar polymer) and multiple unrelated surface proteins (various outer membrane proteins, adhesins, and immune modulators), each of which may be considered a molecular target on its own. For structured biomedical purposes, select specific molecules (e.g., "Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B capsular polysaccharide" or "Factor H binding protein") as canonical targets rather than the whole collection[6][3][2]. - If you need structured information on individual entities, request for one surface protein (e.g., NspA, fHbp) or "capsular polysaccharide" for a given serogroup.

Other names

Meningococcal capsuleMeningococcal surface proteinsNspAfHbpNadAPorAOpaPilEOpc

Induction of protective antibodies (vaccines), Blocking adhesion (antibodies), Complement activation (antibody-mediated lysis)