Chimeric factor H binding proteins (fHBP) containing a heterologous B domain and methods of use

1. A chimeric factor H binding protein (fHBP) comprising,

contiguously from its N-terminus to C-terminus:

a first amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the contiguous amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 from residue 94 to residue 128;

a GEHT (SEQ ID NO: 7) sequence; and

a second amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the contiguous amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 from residue 133 to residue 247;

wherein the chimeric fHBP comprises an epitope bound by JAR5 monoclonal antibody and an epitope bound by a monoclonal antibody specific for an epitope of v. 2 or v. 3 fHBP of a Neisseria meningitidis strain.

2. The chimeric fHBP of claim 1 , wherein the chimeric fHBP comprises the amino acid sequence of an A domain of a v.1, v.2, or v.3 fHBP of Neisseria meningitidis positioned N-terminus of the first amino acid sequence.

3. The chimeric fHBP of claim 1 , wherein the chimeric fHBP comprises at least one epitope that elicits an antibody that when specifically bound to a v.1, v.2, or v.3 fHBP of a Neisseria meningitidis strain blocks binding of human factor H (fH) to the fHBP.

4. The chimeric fHBP of claim 1 , wherein the chimeric fHBP comprises a pair of epitopes that elicit antibodies that, when bound to their respective epitopes on fHBP of a Neisseria meningitidis strain, exhibit bactericidal activity against the Neisseria meningitidis strain.

5. The chimeric fHBP of claim 4 , wherein the pair of epitopes is a JAR 10 monoclonal antibody epitope and a JAR 11 monoclonal antibody epitope.

6. An immunogenic composition comprising the chimeric fHBP according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

7. The immunogenic composition of claim 6 , wherein the chimeric fHBP is in a vesicle preparation prepared from a Neisseria meningitidis strain.