Peptide mimics of conserved gonococcal epitopes and methods and compositions using them for immunizing against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

摘要

A peptide mimic of a conserved gonococcal epitope not found on human blood group antigens and capable of inducing in a mammal an immune response against the conserved gonococcal epitope comprises the amino acid sequence DE_GLF. Also described is a peptide mimic which immunospecifically binds to an antibody that binds to an oligosaccharide of N. gonorrhoeae, which epitope is not present in human blood group antigens and comprises the amino acid sequence DE_GLF. The peptide mimic can further bind the monoclonal antibody 2C7. A composition for immunizing against an N. gonorrhoeae infection can comprises the peptide mimics described above or the peptide mimics comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1-6 and 10. The peptide mimic can be further coupled to the complement protein C3d which increases the antigenicity of the peptide mimic.