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

Nikkoj Melnick

George M Carlone

Jacquelyn S Sampson

Edwin W Ades

Sandra Steiner

Gowrisankar Rajam

Joseph E Martinez

Julie M Skinner

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.

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

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Braselton, GA, United States of America

Nikkoj Melnick