Serogroup Y capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis (MenY CP)

The Serogroup Y capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis is a complex carbohydrate polymer that forms the outermost layer of the bacterium, serving as a critical virulence factor. Chemically, it consists of repeating disaccharide units of [→4)-D-glucopyranosyl-α-(1→4)-N-acetylneuraminic acid-α-(2→], which provide a physical barrier against the host's immune system [1][2]. This polysaccharide allows the pathogen to evade the innate immune response by inhibiting opsonophagocytosis and preventing complement-mediated lysis, thereby facilitating survival in the bloodstream [3]. Because of its essential role in pathogenesis and its high immunogenicity, it is a primary target for meningococcal vaccines [4]. Modern conjugate vaccines link this polysaccharide to carrier proteins like diphtheria toxoid or CRM197 to induce a robust, T-cell dependent immune response, providing long-term protection against invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup Y [5]. Sources: [1] CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html [2] PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Neisseria-meningitidis-serogroup-Y-polysaccharide [3] StatPearls: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534857/ [4] WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningococcal-meningitis [5] PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435080/

Other names

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y polysaccharideMeningococcal group Y capsular polysaccharideMenY polysaccharideMeningococcal polysaccharide group Y

Active immunization; induction of serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA) that target the capsular polysaccharide to facilitate bacterial lysis and opsonization.