Figure 3.

Interactions of N. meningitidis in the systemic circulation. (A) In the bloodstream, Nme must resist antibody- and complement-mediated killing, acquire iron, and attach to the capillary endothelial surface to form microcolonies. Once attached, Nme possesses several mechanisms to resist the actions of phagocytic cells, including neutrophils and macrophages. (B) Binding of endothelial cells occurs by interaction of meningococcal surface structures with their cognate receptors, resulting in cortical plaque formation, transcytosis, and breakdown of tight junctions. This figure was created using Biorender.com.