Interactions of Neisseria with Complement
Lisa A. Lewis, E. Burrowes, Peter A Rice and Sanjay Ram
from: Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis (Edited by: Caroline Genco and Lee Wetzler). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2010)
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis have evolved intricate mechanisms to evade killing by the complement system. Binding of complement inhibitors, LOS sialylation and expression of capsular polysaccharide in the case of N. meningitidis all play key roles in enabling these bacteria to evade complement. The multiplicity of complement evasion strategies reflects the importance of overcoming this immune barrier. Neisserial resistance to complement mediated killing appears to be restricted to humans and may provide an explanation for the host specificity of neisserial disease. Recent advances in our understanding of neisserial complement evasion strategies should aid in developing better animal models and vaccine design read more ...
