Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular polysaccharide–CRM197 conjugate (MenC-CRM197)

The Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular polysaccharide–CRM197 conjugate is a vaccine antigen designed to provide active immunity against invasive meningococcal disease [PubMed: 11516442]. It consists of the capsular polysaccharide of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis, which is chemically conjugated to CRM197, a non-toxic mutant of the diphtheria toxin [PubMed: 24035315]. This conjugation is necessary because bacterial polysaccharides alone are T-cell independent antigens that fail to induce immunological memory or protect infants [PubMed: 12164534]. By linking the polysaccharide to a protein carrier, the immune system is able to mount a T-cell dependent response, leading to the production of high-affinity IgG antibodies and long-lasting B-cell memory [PubMed: 11516442]. These antibodies facilitate the destruction of the bacteria through complement-mediated lysis, effectively preventing meningitis and septicemia [PubMed: 10639434]. This conjugate is a key component in several licensed meningococcal vaccines used globally to reduce the burden of serogroup C disease [WHO].

Other names

Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccineMenC-CRMCRM197-conjugated Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C polysaccharideMeningococcal C conjugate vaccine

Induction of serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA) through a T-cell dependent immune response facilitated by the CRM197 carrier protein.