Factor H Binding Proteins (FHBP) with Altered Properties and Methods of Use Thereof

(canceled)

-9. (canceled)

-14. (canceled)

-21. (canceled)

-25. (canceled)

-30. (canceled)

-38. (canceled)

-44. (canceled)

An immunogenic composition comprising:

• a) an isolated factor H binding protein (fHbp) comprising at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to fHbp ID 4, fHbp ID 14, fHbp ID 15, wherein said fHbp has lower affinity for human factor H (1H) than fHbp ID 1;
• and
• b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

A method of determining the likelihood that a factor H binding protein (fHbp) will elicit a bactericidal response in an individual to at least one Neisseria meningitidis strain, the method comprising:

• determining the ability of antibody, present in serum obtained from an individual who has been immunized with a fHbp, to inhibit binding of human factor H (1H) to fHbp, wherein inhibition of binding of fH to fHbp by the antibody at a level that is at least about 25% higher than the level of inhibition of fH to fHbp by a control antibody that inhibits fH binding to fHbp but that does not generate a bactericidal response indicates that the fHbp is likely to elicit a bactericidal response to at least one Neisseria meningitidis strain.

A method of determining the likelihood that a non-naturally occurring factor H binding protein (fHbp) that has lower affinity for human factor H (fH) than fHbp ID 1 will elicit bactericidal antibodies in an individual to at least one Neisseria meningitidis strain, the method comprising:

• determining the ability of an antibody elicited in a test non-human animal to the non-naturally occurring fHbp to inhibit binding of fH to fHbp,
• wherein inhibition of binding of fH to fHbp by the antibody elicited to the non-naturally occurring fHbp at a level that is at least about 25% higher than the level of inhibition of fH to fHbp by an antibody elicited in the test non-human animal to fHbp ID 1 indicates that the non-naturally occurring fHbp is likely to elicit a bactericidal response to at least one Neisseria meningitidis strain.