The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Other

Joseph E Martinez

George M Carlone

Sandra Steiner

Jacquelyn S Sampson

Edwin W Ades

Gowrisankar Rajam

Julie M Skinner

Nikkoj Melnick

Michael H Hickey

Nikkol Melnick

Methods for enhancing opsonophagocytosis of a pathogen of interest are disclosed. The disclosed methods include administering to a subject an isolated P4 peptide, which includes the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1 and optionally an isolated opsonic antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present on the surface of the pathogen of interest. In some examples isolated complement protein or a fragment thereof (for example, a C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a fragment of a complement protein) is also administered. Compositions containing isolated P4 peptide and one or more isolated opsonic antibodies or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present on the surface of a pathogen of interest are also disclosed. In some examples, the compositions also include isolated complement protein or fragment thereof, such as one or more of C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a.

Use of a pneumococcal P4 peptide for enhancing opsonophagocytosis in response to a pathogen

Methods for enhancing opsonophagocytosis of a pathogen of interest are disclosed. The disclosed methods include administering to a subject an isolated P4 peptide, which includes the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1 and optionally an isolated opsonic antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present on the surface of the pathogen of interest. In some examples isolated complement protein or a fragment thereof (for example, a C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a fragment of a complement protein) is also administered. Compositions containing isolated P4 peptide and one or more isolated opsonic antibodies or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present of the surface of a pathogen of interest are also disclosed. In some examples, the compositions also include isolated complement protein or fragment thereof, such as one or more of C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a.

Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of antigens and antibodies in a sample are described. In particular, the present invention provides assays that are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different antigens and antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple wavelengths or intensities, which are used to label the antigens and antibodies directly and to label beads coated with molecules specific for the antigen or antibody. The detection of a fluorescence shift indicates the presence or identity of the antigen or antibody in the sample.

Methods and compositions for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes

Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of functional antibodies and the analysis of vaccine efficacy are described. In particular, the present invention provides opsonophagocytic assays. The assays are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different functional antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple colors and/or intensities.

Growing community of inventors

McDonough, GA, United States of America

Joseph E Martinez