TYPE-4 PILI AND MENINGOCOCCAL ADHESIVENESS

The ability to interact with non-phagocytic cells is a crucial virulen ce attribute of the meningococcus. Pili play a major role in this proc ess and are the only means yet discovered by which capsulated bacteria may adhere to cells. Pilus-mediated adhesion is a two-step process wh ich requires (i) the expression of the adhesin PilC1 and (ii) the expr ession of an appropriate pilin variant. Some pilin variants have the a bility to modify the degree of adhesiveness through the formation of b undles of pili which increases bacteria-bacteria interactions.