Neisseria meningitidis Capsular Polysaccharides (CPS)

Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate structures that form a capsule surrounding the bacterium. This capsule is the primary virulence determinant of N. meningitidis, enabling it to evade host immune responses and cause invasive diseases such as septicemia and meningitis. The presence or absence, as well as the specific structure of these polysaccharides, forms the basis for classifying N. meningitidis into serogroups. Antibodies targeting these capsular polysaccharides are central to protective immunity against invasive disease; thus, they are key components in vaccine development (except for serogroup B).

Other names

Meningococcal Capsular PolysaccharideN. meningitidis CPSSerogroup-specific polysaccharideGroup A capsular polysaccharideGroup B capsular polysaccharideGroup C capsular polysaccharideGroup Y capsular polysaccharideGroup W capsular polysaccharide

Antibodies bind to the capsular polysaccharide, promoting opsonization and complement-mediated killing of the bacteria; vaccines induce the production of such antibodies.