Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicle-associated antigens (MenB OMV antigens)

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-associated antigens, primarily Porin A (PorA), are critical targets for vaccination against invasive meningococcal disease. Unlike other meningococcal serogroups, the capsular polysaccharide of serogroup B is poorly immunogenic due to its structural similarity to human neural cell adhesion molecules, necessitating the use of protein-based targets (Source: CDC, PubMed: 24073901). PorA is a major outer membrane porin that functions as a selective channel for nutrient uptake and is a dominant target for protective bactericidal antibodies (Source: UniProt: P0A316). However, PorA is highly antigenically variable, which led to the development of multicomponent vaccines that include additional conserved surface antigens such as factor H binding protein (fHbp), Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), and Neisseria heparin-binding antigen (NHBA) (Source: GSK, PubMed: 23245605). These antigens collectively stimulate the production of antibodies that facilitate complement-mediated killing and opsonophagocytosis of the bacteria. Vaccines targeting these OMV-associated antigens, such as 4CMenB (Bexsero), are used globally to prevent life-threatening meningitis and septicemia caused by serogroup B strains (Source: FDA, WHO).

Other names

Porin APorAMenB surface antigensOuter membrane vesiclesOMV4CMenB antigensMeningococcal group B surface proteins

Induction of serum bactericidal antibodies that facilitate complement-mediated lysis and opsonophagocytosis of Neisseria meningitidis.