Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) (PnCP)

Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate polymers that constitute the outermost layer of the pneumococcal cell wall. These polysaccharides serve as the primary virulence factor for the bacterium by inhibiting opsonization and protecting the pathogen from phagocytosis by host immune cells [1]. The specific serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F represent the antigenic components of the original 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), which were selected based on their high historical prevalence in causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in pediatric populations [2]. In therapeutic applications, these polysaccharides are used as vaccine antigens to induce the production of serotype-specific antibodies. When conjugated to a carrier protein, they elicit a T-cell dependent immune response, providing long-term protection and immunological memory against pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia caused by these specific strains [3]. Sources: [1] CDC, "Pneumococcal Disease: Symptoms and Causes," https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/symptoms-causes.html [2] FDA, "Prevnar (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine) Label," https://www.fda.gov/media/74451/download [3] PubMed, "Mechanism of action of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines," https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11587806/

Other names

Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharidesPCV7 antigensPneumococcal polysaccharidesCPS

Induction of serotype-specific opsonophagocytic antibodies (IgG) that facilitate bacterial clearance by host phagocytes through the complement system.