| abstract |
This invention relates to methods of preventing or reducing the severity of psoriasis. In one embodiment, the method involves administering to the individual a peptide having substantially the sequence of a non-conserved region sequence of a T cell receptor present on the surface of T cells mediating psoriasis or a fragment thereof, wherein the peptide or fragment is capable of causing an effect on the immune system to regulate the T cells. In particular, the T cell receptor has the Vβ region Vβ3, Vβ13.1 or Vβ17. In another embodiment, the method involves gene therapy. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosing psoriasis by determining the presence of psoriasis predominant T cell receptors. |