Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, C, W, Y and B antigens (N. meningitidis antigens)

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for life-threatening invasive meningococcal disease, including meningitis and sepsis (WHO, 2023). The antigens derived from its capsular polysaccharides (serogroups A, C, W, and Y) and outer membrane vesicles or surface proteins (serogroup B) serve as the basis for modern meningococcal vaccines (StatPearls, 2023). Unlike traditional drug targets such as human enzymes or receptors, these bacterial components are used to prime the host's adaptive immune system rather than being inhibited by a drug. Conjugate vaccines for serogroups A, C, W, and Y utilize polysaccharides linked to carrier proteins to induce T-cell dependent immunity and long-term memory (CDC, 2023). For serogroup B, vaccines target surface proteins like factor H binding protein (fHbp) and Neisserial Heparin-Binding Antigen (NHBA) because the B-capsule is poorly immunogenic and resembles human neural tissues (FDA, 2023). These vaccines interact with the immune system to generate serum bactericidal antibodies that provide protection by facilitating complement-mediated killing of the bacteria.

Other names

Meningococcal antigensMenACWY polysaccharidesMenB outer membrane vesiclesMeningococcal capsular polysaccharidesMenB surface antigens

Induction of active immunity through the production of antigen-specific bactericidal antibodies that facilitate complement-mediated lysis and opsonophagocytosis of Neisseria meningitidis (StatPearls, 2023).