Editing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (section)

==== Opa proteins ====
Phase-variable opacity-associated (Opa) adhesin proteins are used by ''N. gonorrhoeae'' as part of evading immune response in a host cell. At least 12 Opa proteins are known and the many variations of surface proteins make recognizing ''N. gonorrhoeae'' and mounting a defense by immune cells more difficult.<ref>{{cite web | title = STI Awareness: Gonorrhea | publisher = Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona | url = http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/04/11/sti-awareness-gonorrhea/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103212554/http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/04/11/sti-awareness-gonorrhea/ | archive-date = 3 November 2012 | date = 11 April 2011 | access-date = 31 August 2011 }}</ref> Opa proteins are  in the outer membrane and facilitate a response when the bacteria interacts with a variety of host cells. These proteins bind to various epithelial cells, and allow ''N. gonorrhoeae'' to increase the length of infection as well as increase the amount of invasion into other host cells.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sadarangani M, Pollard AJ, Gray-Owen SD | title = Opa proteins and CEACAMs: pathways of immune engagement for pathogenic Neisseria | journal = FEMS Microbiology Reviews | volume = 35 | issue = 3 | pages = 498–514 | date = May 2011 | pmid = 21204865 | doi = 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00260.x }}</ref>