Peptide epitopes recognized by disease promoting CD4+ T lymphocytes

摘要

The invention provides methods for identifying peptide epitopes that activate CD4+ T cells involved in the pathogenesis of diseases, e.g., autoimmune diseases, susceptibility to which is determined by expression of particular class II MHC genes. The invention includes peptides derived from the IA-2 polypeptide by such a method, altered peptide ligands, and methods of therapy involving the use of altered peptide ligands.