Abstract: Methods for blocking autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal are provided. In one embodiment, the methods involve administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent selected from a fusion protein comprising an HSA/CD24 polypeptide and a fusion protein comprising a biologically active fragment of an HSA/CD24 polypeptide. In some embodiments, the polypeptide or fragment is glycosylated.

Abstract: Methods of reducing autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a CD24 dsRNAi molecule or a polynucleotide that encodes a CD24 dsRNAi molecule, wherein said molecule or polynucleotide is administered to the mammal by an ex vivo or in vivo procedure.

Abstract: Methods of reducing autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal, comprising: administering to a mammal a CD24 antisense molecule or a polynucleotide coding for the same, wherein the CD24 antisense molecule or polynucleotide is administered to the mammal by an ex vivo or in vivo procedure.

Abstract: Methods for blocking autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal are provided. In one embodiment, the methods involve administering an anti-HAS/CD24 antibody.

Abstract: Methods for blocking autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal are provided. In one embodiment, the methods involve administering an HAS/CD24 polypeptide or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the polypeptide or fragment is glycosylated.

Abstract: Methods for blocking autoreactive T cell-initiated destruction of tissues in a mammal are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a purified CD24 polypeptide, a fusion protein comprising such polypeptide, or a biologically active fragment of such polypeptide to a mammalian subject who is suspected of having or predisposed to having an autoimmune disease. In another embodiment, anti-CD24 antibody or anti-CD24 Fab fragments are administered to the subject. In another embodiment, the method comprises administering a CD24 antisense molecule, an expression vector encoding a CD24 antisense molecule, CD24 dsRNAi, or an expression vector encoding CD24 dsRNAi to the subject. The present invention also relates to isolated and purified CD24 fusion proteins employed in the present methods and to transgenic mice that express the human CD24 protein on their T cells and/or their vascular endothelial cells but do not express murine heat shock antigen on any cells.