Surface adhesion and host response as pathogenicity factors of Neisseria meningitidis

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the interaction mechanisms of Neisseria meningitidis with cellular receptors. The first adherence phase would be a reversible process in which Van der Waals and electrostatic forces are responsible for a wide range of interactions, including chemical bonding. Finally we added a summary at the endding, dipolar interaction and hydrophobicity. Pili extending beyond the capsule are considered to mediate the primary interaction with epithelial cells. Opa proteins may bind to carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell-adhesion molecule (CEACAMs) and heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPGs), and Opc proteins can interact with HSPGs and, via vitronectin and fibronectin, to their integrin receptors. Engagement of CEACAMs, integrins and HSPGs can result in meningococcal internalization by epithelial cells. MSP: Meningococcal serine protease A; App: Adhesion and penetration protein; NadA: Neisserial adhesin; NhhA: Neisseria hia/hsf homologue A.