Recombinant truncated AniA of pathogenic Neisseria elicits a non-native immune response and functional blocking antibodies

► AniA of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is surface exposed. ► The O-linked monosaccharide of the AniA glycoprotein is immunodominant. ► Removal of the glycan results in the generation of a non-native immune response. ► This immune response is towards the AniA polypeptide. ► The non-native immune response produces antibodies capable of functional blocking.