Abstract: The invention is based on the detection of the involvement of the K63-specific deubiquitinase CYLD in the manifestation of autism spectrum disorder in a mouse model. The invention therefore provides methods for the diagnosis of such a disorder as well as methods for the development of new autism diagnostics. Further provided are means and methods for use in therapeutically modulating any manifestation of an autism spectrum disorder, or intellectual disability (ID), in a mammal or associated neuropsychiatric manifestations.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides based on a complementarity-determining region (CDR) of the heavy or light chain of a pathogenic anti-DNA monoclonal antibody that induces a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease in mice, and analogs, and salts and chemical derivatives thereof; dual peptides comprising two such peptides or analogs covalently linked to one another either directly or through a short linking chain; peptide polymers comprising a plurality of sequences of said peptide or analog thereof; and peptide polymers attached to a macromolecular carrier, are disclosed, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them for the treatment of SLE in humans.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides based on a complementarity-determining region (CDR) of the heavy or light chain of a pathogenic anti-DNA monoclonal antibody that induces a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease in mice, and analogs, and salts and chemical derivatives thereof; dual peptides comprising two such peptides or analogs covalently linked to one another either directly or through a short linking chain; peptide polymers comprising a plurality of sequences of said peptide or analog thereof; and peptide polymers attached to a macromolecular carrier, are disclosed, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them for the treatment of SLE in humans.

Abstract: A pro-inflammatory T response is specifically prevented by the injection into a recipient of DNA encoding the variable region of a T cell receptor. In response to the vaccination, T cells expressing the variable region produce Th2 cytokines, including IL-4. A pro-inflammatory T cell response directed to an autoantigen is shown to be suppressed by DNA vaccination. The suppressive vaccination further reduced the inflammatory effect of T cells reactive against epitopes of the autoantigen not recognized by the variable region used for vaccination.