PROTEINS COMPRISING CONSERVED REGIONS OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS SURFACE ANTIGEN NhhA.

摘要

Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly usefulin vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild type surface antigen.