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Abstract

The invention is related to peptide constructs, i.e., polypeptides obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, which are useful in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergies, and host versus graft (or graft versus host) rejection, as well as to compositions containing same, methods for producing same and methods for using same; wherein the peptide constructs have the formula P.sub.1-x-P.sub.2 where P.sub.1 is a peptide associated with autoimmune disease, allergy, asthma, host-versus-graft rejection, myocarditis, diabetes, and immune-mediated disease, which binds to an antigen receptor on a set or subset of T cells; P.sub.2 is a peptide which will cause a T.sub.h2 directed immune response by the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P.sub.1 is attached or which will bind to a T cell receptor which will cause the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P.sub.1 is attached to initiate, but not complete, an immune response causing the set or subset of T cells to undergo anergy and apoptosis; and x is a direct bond or linker for covalently bonding P.sub.1 and P.sub.2.

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First Claim