Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 capsular polysaccharide (MenW-135 CPS) (MenW-135 CPS)

The capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 is a complex carbohydrate polymer that serves as a major virulence factor for the bacterium (Stephens et al., Lancet 2007;369(9580):2196-210). It is composed of repeating units of galactose and sialic acid, specifically [→6)-α-D-Galp-(1→4)-α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→], which may be O-acetylated at various positions (Harrison et al., Vaccine 2009;27 Suppl 2:B51-63). This capsule provides a physical barrier that protects the pathogen from host immune responses, including opsonophagocytosis and complement-mediated killing (Vogel et al., Infect Immun 1997;65(11):4543-9). In clinical medicine, this polysaccharide is utilized as a vaccine antigen; when conjugated to carrier proteins like diphtheria toxoid or CRM197, it induces a robust T-cell dependent immune response (Pollard et al., Nat Rev Immunol 2009;9(3):213-20). These vaccines, such as Menveo and MenQuadfi, are essential for preventing invasive meningococcal disease, which can manifest as life-threatening meningitis or septicemia (CDC, 2023). The primary mechanism of protection is the generation of serum bactericidal antibodies that facilitate the lysis of the bacteria (Borrow et al., Vaccine 2005;23(17-18):2222-7).

Other names

Serogroup W-135 capsular polysaccharideMenW-135 polysaccharideNeisseria meningitidis group W-135 antigenMeningococcal group W-135 capsular polysaccharide

Induction of protective capsular-specific IgG antibodies that facilitate complement-mediated bacteriolysis and opsonophagocytosis (Borrow et al., Vaccine 2005;23(17-18):2222-7).