Vibrio cholerae O1 Inaba O-specific polysaccharide (Inaba OSP)

The Vibrio cholerae O1 Inaba O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) is a key antigenic component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) located on the outer membrane of Vibrio cholerae O1, the causative agent of epidemic cholera (Source: PubMed PMID: 25156136). Structurally, it is a homopolymer composed of alpha(1-2)-linked 4-amino-4-deoxy-D-erythro-pentose (D-perosamine) residues (Source: PubChem CID 137277731). The Inaba serotype is distinguished from the Ogawa serotype by the absence of a 2-O-methyl group on the terminal perosamine unit, a variation dictated by the wbeT gene (Source: PubMed PMID: 11133451). This polysaccharide plays a vital role in the bacterium's interaction with the host environment and is the primary target for protective vibriocidal antibodies (Source: PubMed PMID: 28416517). In clinical practice, OSP is the central antigen in several oral cholera vaccines (OCVs), such as Dukoral and Shanchol, which provide immunity by inducing mucosal IgA and systemic IgG antibodies (Source: World Health Organization). These antibodies prevent the bacteria from colonizing the small intestine, thereby averting the release of cholera toxin and the subsequent life-threatening diarrhea (Source: CDC). Research also focuses on developing OSP-protein conjugate vaccines to improve immunogenicity, particularly in young children who respond poorly to pure polysaccharide antigens (Source: PubMed PMID: 24501105). Understanding the structure and immunology of Inaba OSP is essential for monitoring cholera outbreaks and ensuring broad-spectrum vaccine efficacy against shifting serotypes (Source: PubMed PMID: 21930215).

Other names

Inaba O-antigenVibrio cholerae O1 Inaba lipopolysaccharide O-antigenVibrio cholerae O1 Inaba O-polysaccharideInaba OSP

Induction of protective vibriocidal antibodies and mucosal IgA that inhibit bacterial colonization and motility in the small intestine.