Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide (serogroups A, C, Y, W-135)

The Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide (serogroups A, C, Y, W-135) is a surface polysaccharide that forms a protective capsule around the bacterium, playing a critical role in immune evasion and pathogenesis of invasive meningococcal disease (including meningitis and sepsis)[6]. These capsular polysaccharides are nontoxic carbohydrates that, when chemically linked (conjugated) to a carrier protein, induce a T-cell dependent immune response and immunological memory, making them the basis of highly effective conjugate vaccines for prevention of meningococcal disease[3][4][5]. The immune response to conjugated polysaccharide is robust and provides protection in young children and adults, in contrast to the weaker, non-memory-producing response induced by unconjugated (plain) polysaccharide vaccines[2][3]. The conjugate vaccines do not target a druggable receptor or enzyme, but rather use the polysaccharide as an antigen to stimulate immunity; thus, this molecule is not a classical drug target, but rather a vaccine antigen.

Other names

Meningococcal A/C/Y/W-135 capsular polysaccharideMenACWY capsular polysaccharideNeisseria meningitidis capsule (serogroups A, C, Y, W-135)

As a vaccine antigen, induces a T-cell dependent immune response when conjugated to a protein carrier (such as CRM197, tetanus toxoid, or diphtheria toxoid)[3][4][5].