Pneumococcal Surface Protein C (PspC)

Pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC), also known as choline-binding protein A (CbpA), SpsA, PbcA, or Hic, is a major virulence factor found on the surface of *Streptococcus pneumoniae*. It plays critical roles in bacterial adhesion to host cells, immune evasion, and colonization. PspC mediates binding to host epithelial and endothelial cells by interacting with human immunoglobulin A secretory component and complement factors such as C3 and factor H. By recruiting human complement regulator factor H onto its surface, *S. pneumoniae* can inhibit complement activation. PspC is essential for nasopharyngeal colonization and is a potential vaccine target.

Other names

Choline-binding protein A (CbpA)SpsAPbcAHic

Blocking PspC binding to host factors like Factor H or C3/C4b to prevent immune evasion and promote opsonophagocytosis.