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Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes
Published on: December 19, 2020
Factor H-binding protein, a unique meningococcal vaccine antigen
Mariagrazia Pizza1, John Donnelly, Rino Rappuoli
1Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. mariagrazia.pizza@novartis.com
Vaccine
|April 24, 2009
Summary
Factor H-binding protein (fHbp) is a key antigen in a novel vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. Its ability to bind factor H aids bacterial survival, making it a promising vaccine candidate.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B poses a significant public health threat.
- Current vaccines have limitations in covering diverse strains.
- Factor H-binding protein (fHbp) is a surface protein expressed by N. meningitidis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of GNA1870 (fHbp) as a vaccine antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
- To understand the role of fHbp in bacterial survival and immune evasion.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of GNA1870 (fHbp) antigen.
- Assessment of fHbp's binding affinity to human factor H.
- Evaluation of fHbp's role in bacterial survival in human blood and serum.
- Analysis of fHbp's interaction with antimicrobial peptides.
Main Results:
- GNA1870 (fHbp) is classified into three distinct variant groups.
- fHbp exhibits significant binding to factor H, a regulator of the complement system.
- fHbp enhances bacterial survival in human blood, serum, and in the presence of antimicrobial peptides, irrespective of expression levels.
Conclusions:
- fHbp is a critical virulence factor for Neisseria meningitidis.
- fHbp's ability to bind factor H and promote survival makes it a unique and promising vaccine antigen.
- The development of vaccines targeting fHbp holds potential for broad protection against N. meningitidis serogroup B.
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