The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of immune disorders, especially T helper
lymphocyte-related disorders. For example, genes which are differentially expressed within and among T helper (TH) cells and TH
cell subpopulations, which include, but are not limited to TH0, TH1 and TH2
cell subpopulations are identified. Genes are also identified via the ability of their
gene products to interact with
gene products involved in the differentiation, maintenance and
effector function of such TH cells and TH
cell subpopulations. The genes identified can be used diagnostically or as targets for therapeutic intervention. In this regard, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of immune disorders, especially TH cell subpopulation-related disorders. Additionally, methods are provided for the
diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of TH cell subpopulation-related disorders, for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions, for monitoring patients undergoing
clinical evaluation for the treatment of such disorders, and for monitoring the
efficacy of compounds used in clinical trials.