Bacterial [Cu,Zn]-Cofactored Superoxide Dismutase Protects Opsonized, Encapsulated<i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>from Phagocytosis by Human Monocytes/Macrophages

Abstract

Superoxide dismutase cofactored by copper and zinc ([Cu,Zn]-SOD) contributes to the protection of opsonized serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis against phagocytosis by human monocytes/macrophages, with sodC mutant organisms being endocytosed in significantly higher numbers than are wild-type organisms. The influence of [Cu,Zn]-SOD was found to be exerted at the stage of phagocytosis, rather than at earlier (modulating surface association) or later (intracellular killing) stages.