Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B factor H binding protein and serogroup A, C, W, and Y capsular polysaccharides (MenABCWY vaccine antigens)

This target complex represents the combined antigenic components used in pentavalent vaccines to protect against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y. The factor H binding protein (fHbp) is a surface-exposed lipoprotein found on nearly all strains of serogroup B; its primary biological function is to bind human Factor H, allowing the bacteria to evade the alternative complement pathway of the host immune system (PubMed, 2018; CDC, 2023). The capsular polysaccharides for serogroups A, C, W, and Y are complex carbohydrates that form the outer layer of the bacteria, protecting them from phagocytosis and environmental stress. In therapeutic applications, these polysaccharides are typically conjugated to a carrier protein, such as CRM197, to convert them into T-cell dependent antigens, ensuring a robust and lasting immune memory (WHO, 2021). By targeting both the fHbp and the various capsular polysaccharides, vaccines like Penbraya provide broad-spectrum coverage against the most common causes of bacterial meningitis and septicemia. The primary mechanism of action is the stimulation of the host immune system to produce bactericidal antibodies that facilitate the destruction of the pathogen upon exposure (FDA, 2023).

Other names

Meningococcal group A, C, W, Y and B vaccine componentsMenABCWYfHbp and ACWY polysaccharidesPentavalent meningococcal vaccine antigens

Induction of antigen-specific serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA) that mediate complement-dependent killing of Neisseria meningitidis. The factor H binding protein (fHbp) component elicits antibodies that prevent the bacteria from binding human Factor H, thereby neutralizing a key immune-evasion mechanism, while the conjugated capsular polysaccharides induce T-cell dependent antibody responses against the bacterial capsule (FDA, 2023; Pfizer, 2023).