Inhibition of binding of complement factor H

摘要

Pathogen-specific peptide chains are provided which prevent pathogens from escaping complement-mediated lysis. The peptide chains bind to known binding sites on pathogens to which complement regulators such as complement Factor H bind. By occupying the binding sites and thereby preventing the binding of the complement regulators to the pathogen, the peptides prevent the pathogen from blocking or suppressing the function of the complement regulators in the complement-mediated lysis process.