Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides and factor H-binding protein (fHbp) (CPS and fHbp)

Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides and factor H-binding protein (fHbp) are essential surface-exposed components of the meningococcus bacterium that serve as the primary targets for protective vaccines (CDC, 2023). The capsular polysaccharides are serogroup-specific carbohydrates (A, C, W, Y) that form a protective outer layer, helping the bacteria resist desiccation and host phagocytosis (Pollard et al., 2009). Factor H-binding protein is a surface lipoprotein that enables the bacteria to evade the host innate immune system by binding human Factor H, which inhibits the alternative complement pathway and prevents bacterial lysis (Schneider et al., 2009). Because the Serogroup B polysaccharide is poorly immunogenic due to its structural similarity to human neural cell adhesion molecules, fHbp was identified through reverse vaccinology as a key protein antigen to provide protection against this serogroup (Pizza et al., 2000). Modern vaccines, including the pentavalent MenABCWY vaccine (Penbraya), target these molecules to induce high titers of serum bactericidal antibodies (FDA, 2023). These antibodies facilitate the destruction of the pathogen via the classical complement pathway, providing essential protection against invasive meningococcal disease, meningitis, and septicemia (WHO, 2023).

Other names

Meningococcal capsular antigensfHbpFactor H-binding proteinGNA1870LP2086Bacterial capsular polysaccharides

Induction of antigen-specific bactericidal antibodies that mediate complement-dependent killing of Neisseria meningitidis.