The subject invention concerns
peptide mimetics of SOCS proteins and methods of use. In one embodiment,
a peptide mimetic of the invention binds to a SOCS1 and a SOCS3
target protein. In a specific embodiment,
a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and / or SEQ ID NO:2 and / or SEQ ID NO:51, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. In a further embodiment,
a peptide of the invention can comprise multiple copies of the mimetic sequence. In one embodiment, a
peptide of the invention comprises two or more copies of SEQ ID NO:1 and / or SEQ ID NO:2 and / or SEQ ID NO:51. In a specific embodiment, a
peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and / or SEQ ID NO:4 to and / or SEQ ID NO:52, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The subject invention also pertains to methods of treating and / or preventing autoimmune conditions and / or disorders. In one embodiment, one or more peptide mimetics of the invention are used to treat an
autoimmune condition or disorder in a person or animal. In a specific embodiment, a mimetic of the invention is used to treat SLE in a person or animal. The subject invention also concerns methods for diagnosing and / or monitoring progression of SLE in a person or animal.